Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Hawks rally past Ottumwa in opener, then Bulldogs return favor in nightcap

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Wednesday's doubleheader between the Ankeny and Ottumwa baseball teams featured a pair of five-run rallies in the seventh inning--one by each squad. After the second-ranked Hawks battled back for a 6-3 victory in the opener, the host Bulldogs returned the favor in the nightcap by rallying for an 8-7 win that handed Ankeny (3-1) its first loss of the … [Read more...] about Hawks rally past Ottumwa in opener, then Bulldogs return favor in nightcap

Fulk, Andrews toss back-to-back gems in Ankeny’s sweep over Bobcats

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Mo Watson and his teammates on the Ankeny baseball squad are going to relish every minute on the field this summer. The second-ranked Hawks showed off their potential Monday by sweeping a pair of five-inning games in their season opener at Marshalltown. They roughed up the Bobcats by scores of 19-0 and 11-0. "Ever since we got the word that we could … [Read more...] about Fulk, Andrews toss back-to-back gems in Ankeny’s sweep over Bobcats

Hawkettes erupt for 27 runs, open season with sweep at Marshalltown

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If the Ankeny softball team continues to play like it did on Monday night, the unranked Hawkettes won't be able to fly under the radar for very long. Ankeny opened its abbreviated 2020 season with an impressive doubleheader sweep at Marshalltown. The Hawkettes rolled to a 14-0 victory in four innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 13-1 win … [Read more...] about Hawkettes erupt for 27 runs, open season with sweep at Marshalltown

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ tennis team

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Some of the best girls' tennis teams in Ankeny High School history could have been even better. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the Hawkettes reeled off 20 consecutive dual-meet victories under coach Dirk Baker, one of the best players in the school at that time was Karlin Hayes. "Karlin was a top 100 player in the 14s, but she never … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ tennis team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Acacia Biehl, Ankeny girls’ soccer

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Senior Acacia Biehl helped the Ankeny girls' soccer team to the Class 3A state championship in 2019. She had one goal and three assists for the Hawkettes. Biehl has committed to play for Wartburg College in the fall. Here is some inside info on Biehl: You have an interesting first name. Is there a story behind how you got it? My parents have … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Acacia Biehl, Ankeny girls’ soccer

Talented Ankeny baseball team expects to win ‘night in and night out’

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The Ankeny baseball players are just happy to be back on the field. The Hawks will open their season on Monday with a doubleheader at Marshalltown. It's the start of an abbreviated campaign that consists of just 27 games due to the COVID-19 outbreak that forced the cancellation of all spring high school activities. "They understand that this is a … [Read more...] about Talented Ankeny baseball team expects to win ‘night in and night out’

‘Nobody knows what’s coming’: Hawkettes look to surprise opponents

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The Ankeny softball team wasn't listed in the Class 5A preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Hawkettes' omission brought a smile to the face of head coach Dave Bingham. "I think that is awesome," he said. "Honestly, we've never even discussed the rankings. Our ultimate goal is just to respect our opponents but prepare to … [Read more...] about ‘Nobody knows what’s coming’: Hawkettes look to surprise opponents

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reilly Johnson, Ankeny girls’ tennis

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Senior Reilly Johnson helped the Ankeny girls' tennis team to a 6-9 record in 2019. She was the team's No. 4 or 5 player most of the season. Johnson was also a member of the Ankeny volleyball team, helping the Hawkettes to a 37-6 mark last fall. She racked up 127 kills, 34 blocks and 41 digs. Here is some inside info on Johnson: Even though your … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reilly Johnson, Ankeny girls’ tennis

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team

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When the Ankeny girls' soccer program began in 1996, the Hawkettes didn't immediately find success. Ankeny struggled in its first three seasons, going a combined 12-33-1 under coach Rhonda Fors. However, Fors turned the program around in 1999, guiding the Hawkettes to a 12-7 record for their first winning season. Since then, the Ankeny program … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team

Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Claire Beath and Rachel Moore, girls’ golf

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Claire Beath is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team, while fellow senior Rachel Moore plays for crosstown rival Ankeny. Their 2020 season was wiped out due to the coronavirus. Beath posted an average score of 56.9 strokes as a junior. Moore finished the 2019 season with a 59.4 average. Here is some inside info on the duo: Even though … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Claire Beath and Rachel Moore, girls’ golf

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ golf team

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Nobody is more associated with the Ankeny girls' golf program than Toni Dickey. Dickey played for the Hawkettes in high school and later became the head coach of the program for 31 years. She led Ankeny to three state titles and also coached four individual state champions before retiring after the 2017 season. Those individual champs--Sarah Gilbert, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ golf team

Summer sports athletes preparing for return to field with precautions

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Jasmine Rumley wasn't sure if she'd get another chance to wear her Ankeny softball uniform. Now, it appears that she will. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month suspension of activities due to the coronavirus. Practices will begin on June … [Read more...] about Summer sports athletes preparing for return to field with precautions

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny bowling teams

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In the last month, Ankeny Fanatic has unveiled its all-time Ankeny teams in boys' and girls' basketball, wrestling and boys' swimming. Now, in order to complete the winter sports, it's time to focus on bowling--the newest of the sports that are sanctioned by the high school governing bodies. The girls' program began in the 2007-08 season after the Iowa … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny bowling teams

‘PLAY BALL!’: Gov. Reynolds approves high school summer sports

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The suspension of high school athletics due to COVID-19 will come to an end next month. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Wednesday at her daily press briefing that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month activities suspension due to the coronavirus. The announcement approved the … [Read more...] about ‘PLAY BALL!’: Gov. Reynolds approves high school summer sports

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ swimming team

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The history of Ankeny boys' swimming dates back to the 1980s--before the Ankeny YMCA was even built. Mike Johnson graduated before Ankeny had an indoor swimming pool, so he traveled to Dowling High School twice a day for a pair of three-hour practices. He participated in high school meets in order to qualify for the state meet by swimming in Valley's … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ swimming team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jacob Baier, Ankeny boys’ track

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Senior Jacob Baier was expected to have a big season for the Ankeny boys' track team. He placed sixth in the discus at last year's Class 4A state meet with a throw of 153 feet 9 inches, helping the Hawks to a sixth-place finish. Baier was also a standout on the football field last fall, when he helped Ankeny to an 8-3 record and a Class 4A quarterfinal … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jacob Baier, Ankeny boys’ track

Ankeny QB Bauer plans to make decision after his senior season

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The buzz around Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer is beginning to grow, even during these uncertain times. Bauer helped lead the Hawks to a 7-4 record and a Class 4A quarterfinal appearance last season. He passed for 2,207 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 61.5 percent of his passes (126-of-205). Bauer was named to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Ankeny QB Bauer plans to make decision after his senior season

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team

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(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is dedicated to longtime Des Moines Register wrestling reporter Dan McCool, who died on Monday at the age of 60. Dan was a legend in the wrestling community and will be sorely missed. I was working for the Register as a correspondent in the 80s and one of the first big events that I was asked to cover was to help out Dan with state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team