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Hawks

Hawkettes, Jaguars advance to Friday’s all-CIML Class 3A semifinals

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The odds of a Jag-Hawk rematch in the Class 3A championship game of the girls' state soccer tournament improved considerably on Thursday. Both fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 6 Ankeny advanced to Friday's semifinals with victories at Cownie Soccer Complex. The Jaguars posted a 3-2 win over No. 5 Council Bluffs Lincoln, while the Hawkettes rolled … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars advance to Friday’s all-CIML Class 3A semifinals

Hawks ‘turn the page’ after splitting doubleheader against Roosevelt

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz doesn't want his players to get too excited after a win. He also doesn't want them to dwell too long on a loss. Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt was a perfect example of both of those scenarios. The ninth-ranked Hawks posted an 8-4 victory in the first game of the twinbill. They then … [Read more...] about Hawks ‘turn the page’ after splitting doubleheader against Roosevelt

Jaguars, Hawkettes gear up for rematches in Class 3A quarterfinals

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The girls' Class 3A state soccer tournament has a familiar look to it. All eight qualifiers are back from last year's tournament. Even more amazing, all four of Thursday's quarterfinal games are rematches from 2018. Fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (15-3), the defending champion, will play No. 5 Council Bluffs Lincoln (16-2) at 4:15 p.m. on Field 8 at … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes gear up for rematches in Class 3A quarterfinals

Hawkettes hold off Dowling for their first win of the season

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The Ankeny softball team finally got the monkey off its back. After losing a late lead in each of their previous three games, the Hawkettes built an 8-2 advantage over visiting Dowling Catholic on Tuesday and then held on to beat the Maroons, 10-6, for their first win of the season. "I think we've been playing some great softball," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Dowling for their first win of the season

Gretz, Sharar lead Hawkettes past C.R. Prairie, back to state tournament

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It was going to take a lot more than a little rain to stop the Ankeny girls' soccer team. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes took the lead less than a minute into the game and went on to defeat No. 10 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 4-0, in a Class 3A regional final on Monday at Ankeny. The game was played in a steady rain. "It's such an amazing feeling to be going back … [Read more...] about Gretz, Sharar lead Hawkettes past C.R. Prairie, back to state tournament

Dowling’s Baumler overpowers Hawks, tosses 1-hitter in Maroons’ 3-1 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team didn't have an answer for Dowling Catholic pitcher Carter Baumler. Baumler tossed a one-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead the fifth-ranked Maroons to a 3-1 victory at Ankeny in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams on Monday. The game was shortened to six innings due to rain, and the second game of the doubleheader … [Read more...] about Dowling’s Baumler overpowers Hawks, tosses 1-hitter in Maroons’ 3-1 victory

Hawks romp past Burlington, Davenport North to improve their record to 3-0

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz doesn't have much to complain about. The Hawks rolled to a pair of victories in the Tim Heggen Invitational on Saturday at Ankeny Centennial and have now outscored their first three opponents by a 32-1 margin. "It's been an interesting start to the season," said Balvanz. "We played a game (at Saydel on May 23), then we … [Read more...] about Hawks romp past Burlington, Davenport North to improve their record to 3-0

Ankeny’s Rathjen places 4th at Cadet freestyle world team trials

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Caleb Rathjen proved once again this weekend that he belongs on the national wrestling stage. The Ankeny High School junior-to-be placed fourth at 60 kilos (132 pounds) in the Cadet freestyle world team trials at Akron, Ohio. He posted a 6-2 record at the trials, which were held at the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House. "I thought my … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen places 4th at Cadet freestyle world team trials

‘I’m gutted for the guys’: Hawks tumble to I.C. West in 3A quarterfinals

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Jordan Burns shared some hugs with his Ankeny boys' soccer players following a season-ending loss on Friday. The second-year head coach was hoping to say his final goodbyes at the end of the Class 3A state tournament on Tuesday, but the 10th-ranked Hawks were eliminated with a 2-1 loss to No. 2 Iowa City West in the quarterfinals at Cownie Soccer Complex … [Read more...] about ‘I’m gutted for the guys’: Hawks tumble to I.C. West in 3A quarterfinals

Hawkettes let late lead slip away again in loss to Pella

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For the second game in a row, the Ankeny softball team let a seventh-inning lead slip away. Visiting Pella, the No. 15 team in Class 4A, rallied for three runs in the seventh to post an 8-7 victory on Thursday. The game was a late addition to the schedule after Tuesday's doubleheader at Waukee was rained out. The Hawkettes (0-2) had not played since … [Read more...] about Hawkettes let late lead slip away again in loss to Pella

Hawks get the draw they wanted, will face Iowa City West in rematch

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Ankeny boys' soccer coach Jordan Burns was hoping to avoid Waukee as long as possible. He got his wish. The seventh-seeded Hawks (12-6) will play No. 2 Iowa City West (16-1) in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Friday at 5:15 p.m. The start of the tournament was pushed back a day due to wet fields at Cownie Soccer … [Read more...] about Hawks get the draw they wanted, will face Iowa City West in rematch

Hawkettes foil Mason City’s strategy, advance to Monday’s regional final

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team didn't have to play much defense against Mason City on Wednesday. The visiting Mohawks loaded the box in an effort to frustrate Ankeny, but the strategy only worked to keep the score down. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes got three goals in the first 10 minutes and went on to post a 5-0 victory in a Class 3A regional … [Read more...] about Hawkettes foil Mason City’s strategy, advance to Monday’s regional final

Sease earns top-10 finish, while Webb settles for 12th place

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Ankeny Centennial's Lauren Sease and Ankeny's Jaci Webb were both hoping to earn top-10 finishes in the girls' Class 4A state meet at Coldwater Links Golf Course. The duo nearly accomplished their goal. Sease carded a 13-over-par 84 in Wednesday's final round and finished with a two-day total of 161, allowing her to place 10th in a field of 68 golfers. … [Read more...] about Sease earns top-10 finish, while Webb settles for 12th place

Boys’ state soccer tournament postponed, will now start Friday

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The Ankeny boys' soccer team will have to wait until Friday to play its opening game in the Class 3A state tournament. Iowa High School Athletic Association officials announced on Wednesday that the tournament would be pushed back a day. Here is the press release from the IHSAA: "Due to field conditions and scheduling, the IHSAA’s 2019 State Soccer … [Read more...] about Boys’ state soccer tournament postponed, will now start Friday

Sease shoots 77, Webb fires 82 on soggy state-meet course

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There was plenty of standing water on the Coldwater Links Golf Course for Tuesday's opening round of the girls' Class 4A state meet. The soggy conditions didn't bother Ankeny Centennial's Lauren Sease nor Ankeny's Jaci Webb. Both golfers played well as part of the same foursome. Sease carded a 6-over-par 77, while Webb shot an 11-over 82. "I felt … [Read more...] about Sease shoots 77, Webb fires 82 on soggy state-meet course

Cedar Rapids Xavier AD Umthun hired to replace Ankeny’s Buttjer

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It was going to take a special place to lure Andy Umthun away from Cedar Rapids Xavier. Ankeny High School was one of those places. Umthun has been named the new Activities Director at Ankeny, replacing Brent Buttjer. He will take over the position on July 1. "There was a small list of schools that I would have been willing to leave for, and Ankeny … [Read more...] about Cedar Rapids Xavier AD Umthun hired to replace Ankeny’s Buttjer

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chloee Kooker, Ankeny girls’ soccer

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Senior defender Chloee Kooker has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny girls' soccer team to a 13-4 record. She is one of the Hawkettes' captains. Kooker has scored four goals this season. She has also contributed five assists. Here is some inside info on Kooker: Congratulations on your team's 1-0 victory at Waukee on May 20. What was the key to beating … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chloee Kooker, Ankeny girls’ soccer

#WeGoAgain: Pritchard leads Hawks past Lincoln, back to state tourney

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Ankeny's Charlie Pritchard had to sit out the final game of last year's boys' state soccer tournament after picking up a red card following the Hawks' loss to Bettendorf in the Class 3A semifinals. The senior forward never lost faith that he'd get another chance to play at Cownie Park. On Saturday, Pritchard scored a pair of goals to ignite the … [Read more...] about #WeGoAgain: Pritchard leads Hawks past Lincoln, back to state tourney

Boyd sparks Ankeny baseball team to season-opening victory

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Cael Boyd appears to be a perfect fit for the leadoff hitter's role on the Ankeny baseball team. Boyd sparked the Hawks to a 13-0 victory at Saydel in five innings in their season opener on Thursday. The sophomore outfielder went 2-for-2 with a double, walked twice, stole three bases and scored four runs. "Cael did a really nice job of setting the … [Read more...] about Boyd sparks Ankeny baseball team to season-opening victory