Dear Citizens of Ankeny, Are you going to the Jag-Hawk Bowl on Aug. 30? If not, Ankeny Fanatic will be there to provide complete coverage of the game. That is what we do. In fact, we have hired an additional writer this fall to assist with our coverage of Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial sports. Connor Ferguson, an Iowa State student who works for our … [Read more...] about More about Ankeny Fanatic’s future from Publisher Dan Holm
Hawks
Ankeny swimmers return 7 state qualifiers from 4th-place team
In 2017, the Ankeny girls' swimming team placed fourth at the state meet, its highest finish ever under coach Michelle Stout. The Hawkettes finished 32.5 points behind third-place Bettendorf. Last year, Ankeny duplicated its fourth-place performance, but moved considerably closer to a top-three finish. The Hawkettes scored 185 points and finished just … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers return 7 state qualifiers from 4th-place team
Walker earns runner-up honors, leads Hawk golfers to victory over Ames
It's only one meet, but it was a great start for the Ankeny boys' golf team. The Hawks opened their season on Monday with a 296-300 victory over visiting Ames in a CIML Central Conference dual meet at Otter Creek. The Little Cyclones are coming off a fifth-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. "I was very happy with how we played today," … [Read more...] about Walker earns runner-up honors, leads Hawk golfers to victory over Ames
Ankeny star Rumley named to Register’s 2019 All-Iowa softball team
Chalk up another prestigious honor for Ankeny's Jasmine Rumley. The junior infielder has been named to The Des Moines Register's 2019 All-Iowa softball team. She was one of nine players from across the state selected to the Elite team. Rumley, who was also named to the Class 5A team by the Register, led the Hawkettes to a 20-19 record. She batted .493 … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Rumley named to Register’s 2019 All-Iowa softball team
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 59
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny golfer Hunter Johnson stopped by to talk about the upcoming season with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed former Ankeny baseball standout and current George Washington catcher Greg Anderberg. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 59
Hawk golfers return state qualifier Johnson, 5 other top players
Ankeny boys' golf coach Mike Weddingfeld doesn't like having to rely on the same four players to post solid scores at every meet because it doesn't leave any margin for error. With six of his top seven players returning from last year, Weddingfeld likely won't have to. Senior Luke Parkinson is back along with juniors Hunter Johnson, Joey Newton, Ty … [Read more...] about Hawk golfers return state qualifier Johnson, 5 other top players
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Luke Parkinson, Ankeny boys’ golf
Ankeny’s Kallem to wrestle for NAIA powerhouse Grand View
Ankeny wrestler Sam Kallem has decided to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Killyan Green. Kallem announced earlier this week via Twitter that he has verbally committed to Grand View, where Green is a sophomore on the Vikings' roster. "I'd like to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Grand View University!" … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Kallem to wrestle for NAIA powerhouse Grand View
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cael Boyd, Ankeny baseball
Sophomore outfielder Cael Boyd helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-18 record this season. The Hawks advanced to the Class 4A state tournament before losing to top-ranked Johnston, 6-0, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal Park. Boyd batted .342 with six doubles and 16 RBIs. He set a single-season school record with 34 stolen bases. Here … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cael Boyd, Ankeny baseball
Ankeny libero Behrens to play volleyball at William Jewell College
Ankeny volleyball standout Kaci Behrens won't have the pressure of her future plans weighing on her mind when she takes the court this fall. The senior libero announced via Twitter earlier this week that she has made a verbal commitment. "Super pumped to announce my commitment to play college volleyball and further my academic career at William … [Read more...] about Ankeny libero Behrens to play volleyball at William Jewell College
Rumley named to all-state first team; Burnett, Voigt also honored by IGCA
Ankeny slugger Jasmine Rumley has received all-state softball honors for the second straight year. Rumley, a junior third baseman, was selected to the Class 5A first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. She was a third-team pick as a sophomore. Two other players from Ankeny also earned all-state honors. Junior shortstop Franie Burnett of Ankeny … [Read more...] about Rumley named to all-state first team; Burnett, Voigt also honored by IGCA
Brecht, Vermeer, Gray named to Central Conference first team
Ankeny outfielder Brody Brecht and Ankeny Centennial catcher Ryan Vermeer were both unanimous picks to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's baseball coaches. They were joined on the squad by Centennial shortstop Keaton Gray, who was named to an infield position. Vermeer, who was selected to a utility position, was also a repeat … [Read more...] about Brecht, Vermeer, Gray named to Central Conference first team
Ankeny’s first state tourney appearance since 2013 ends with 6-0 loss to Dragons
Johnston baseball coach Michael Barta wasn't excited about his team's matchup against CIML Central Conference rival Ankeny in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament at Principal Park. Barta knew the Hawks were a dangerous No. 8 seed. "(Ankeny's Joe) Balvanz is a great coach," Barta said. "They have tremendous talent--(Brody) Brecht shut us … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s first state tourney appearance since 2013 ends with 6-0 loss to Dragons
VIDEO: Top-ranked Johnston ends Hawks’ postseason run
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Austin Coyne, Ankeny baseball
Austin Coyne is a member of the Ankeny baseball team. The senior pitcher has compiled a 1-1 record with one save in 14 appearances. The lefthander leads the Hawks with a 1.70 ERA. "Austin does a great job of leading by example and understanding his role," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "He has come through in some really tough spots for us on the … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Austin Coyne, Ankeny baseball
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 58
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny sophomore Brody Brecht and head coach Joe Balvanz stopped by to preview the Class 4A state baseball tournament with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also discussed Ankeny Centennial's season with senior Josh Meador. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 58
Hawks rough up Riders, get no-hitter from Brecht and advance to state
Brody Brecht's teammates gave him a five-run cushion before he even took the mound on Wednesday night. Then they just kept adding to the lead. After scoring five runs in the top of the first inning, the Ankeny baseball team added four runs in the second and seven more in the third to support Brecht's four-inning no-hitter as the Hawks rolled to a 16-0 … [Read more...] about Hawks rough up Riders, get no-hitter from Brecht and advance to state
‘We have faith in each other’: Brecht, Spear power Hawks past Mason City
The rankings and the seedings--not to mention the records of both teams--suggested that Mason City was a better baseball squad than Ankeny. Monday's Class 4A substate semifinal at Roosevelt Field suggested otherwise. The visiting Hawks broke open a tie game with a four-run fifth inning and went on to defeat 10th-ranked Mason City, 9-2, in a Substate 2 … [Read more...] about ‘We have faith in each other’: Brecht, Spear power Hawks past Mason City
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 57
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Centennial outfielder Lily King, Dallas Center-Grimes assistant coach Bret Van De Pol, Ankeny assistant coach Sarah Saladino and Valley pitcher Haley Gatica stopped by to visit with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm about the 2019 softball … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 57
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chris Spear, Ankeny baseball
Senior pitcher Chris Spear has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 19-17 record. He has compiled a 3-5 mark with a 4.46 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Spear came on in relief to earn his first save of the season on Friday. He got the final three outs as the Hawks defeated visiting Fort Dodge, 6-5, in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chris Spear, Ankeny baseball