Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns and Ankeny's Kayla Pitz were among 13 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns, a senior guard, was selected to the Class 5A second team. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns averaged 12.2 points per game … [Read more...] about Burns named to Class 5A second team; Pitz earns third-team honors

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nolan Otten, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior center Nolan Otten helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team advance to the Class 4A state tournament for the first time since 2012. He had eight points, three rebounds and two steals in the Hawks' 73-67 victory over Sioux City East in a substate final on Tuesday at Fort Dodge. Otten is averaging 5.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He leads the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nolan Otten, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Here are some under-the-radar players to look out for in Class 4A tournament

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A lot of eyes will be on Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough during next week's boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament. North Scott's Ty Anderson, Iowa City West's Even Brauns and Waukee's Tucker DeVries will also garner plenty of attention at Wells Fargo Arena. Those are just some of the stars who could lead their … [Read more...] about Here are some under-the-radar players to look out for in Class 4A tournament

A brief rundown of the teams in the boys’ Class 4A state tournament field

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Here's a quick look at each of the boys' basketball teams in the Class 4A state tournament: No. 4 seed Waukee (21-2): The Warriors avenged one of their two losses with a 59-55 victory over Valley in a substate final. Waukee boasts two of the state's top players in the Class of 2021, Tucker DeVries and Payton Sandfort, who combined for 39 points in the … [Read more...] about A brief rundown of the teams in the boys’ Class 4A state tournament field

‘It’s just the best feeling ever’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East for trip to state

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Braxton Bayless draped the state qualifier banner around his body and beamed with joy as he pranced around the Fort Dodge gym. The senior guard had just fulfilled a lifelong dream--leading his Ankeny boys' basketball team to the Class 4A state tournament. "It's the best feeling I've had my whole career," said Bayless. "It's just the best feeling … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just the best feeling ever’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East for trip to state

TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2012. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial will be making the trip to Wells Fargo Arena for the first time ever. Both squads qualified for the Class 4A tournament with victories on Tuesday. Top-ranked Centennial posted a 58-42 win over Johnston in a substate final … [Read more...] about TWICE AS NICE: Jaguars, Hawks both advance to Class 4A state tournament

Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

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A trip to the Class 4A state tournament is only 32 minutes away for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (22-1) will meet CIML Central Conference rival Johnston (15-7) in a substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk, while the Hawks (17-5) will face Sioux City East (17-4) at Fort Dodge. Both games begin at 7 … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny boys to play for state tournament berths on Tuesday

‘I’ve got more soccer in me’: Ankeny goalkeeper Frederick to play for Simpson

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Ankeny's Brenny Frederick wasn't sure if she wanted to continue playing soccer. Once she decided that she did, it wasn't difficult for the senior goalkeeper to make her future plans. Frederick has committed to play for Simpson College next year. "Playing soccer was the tough decision. Playing for Simpson was an easy decision," said Frederick. … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve got more soccer in me’: Ankeny goalkeeper Frederick to play for Simpson

Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial standout Meg Burns has been unanimously selected to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. She led the Jaguars to a 13-10 record this season. Burns, a senior guard, averaged a team-high 12.2 points per game and shot 48.4 percent from 3-point range, making 61-of-126 attempts. The … [Read more...] about Burns named to all-conference 1st team; Runchey, Pitz earn 2nd-team honors

‘They threw a lot of junk at us’: Hawks solve Fort Dodge’s defense in 66-46 win

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The Fort Dodge boys' basketball team tried several different defenses on Friday in an effort to slow down Ankeny star Braxton Bayless. None of them were very successful. Bayless poured in 26 points, 19 of them in the first half, to lead the Hawks to a 66-46 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal at Ankeny. "They threw a lot of junk at us, but we … [Read more...] about ‘They threw a lot of junk at us’: Hawks solve Fort Dodge’s defense in 66-46 win

Jaguars, Hawks open substate play at home against familiar opponents

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The road to the state tournament begins on Friday night for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The top-ranked Jaguars (21-1) will host Des Moines Roosevelt (7-14) in a Class 4A Substate 6 semifinal, while the Hawks (16-5) will host Fort Dodge (3-19) in a Substate 1 semifinal. Both games begin at 7 p.m. Centennial enters the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks open substate play at home against familiar opponents

‘A dream come true’: Ankeny bowlers earn highest finish in school history

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Ankeny boys' bowling coach Lane Richtsmeier could hardly contain his excitement while watching his team compete in the Class 3A state tournament on Wednesday at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo. He wasn't even concerned about the Hawks' scores. "This was a dream come true today, not just for me but for the boys as well," said Richtsmeier. "Going into today, … [Read more...] about ‘A dream come true’: Ankeny bowlers earn highest finish in school history

Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 84

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Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch and four-time state champion Trent Frandson stopped by to discuss the Hawks' runner-up finish in the state meet with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also recapped the state wrestling tournament with … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 84

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Rachael Christmann, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Junior guard Rachael Christmann helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 10-13 record this season. Christmann played in 19 of the 23 games, averaging 3.7 points and 1.3 rebounds. She shot 43.5 percent from 3-point range, making 20-of-46 attempts. Christmann went 3-for-4 from behind the arc and scored a career-high 11 points in the Hawkettes' … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Rachael Christmann, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Hawks earn all-state honors from Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team has received numerous all-state honors from the Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association after placing second in the state meet on Feb. 15 at Iowa City. Junior Trent Frandson was a first-team selection in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events. He defended his state titles in both of those events. Freshman Lance Swanepoel … [Read more...] about Hawks earn all-state honors from Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chris Winters, Ankeny boys’ bowling

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Chris Winters helped the Ankeny boys' bowling team qualify for this week's Class 3A state tournament. The Hawks will compete against seven other teams on Wednesday at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo. Winters has posted a 375.3 series average this season, which ranks third among the Hawks. He bowled a career-high total of 456 during a dual meet at Ottumwa on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chris Winters, Ankeny boys’ bowling