In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the coed state track meet with coach Jordan Mullen and reigning Class 4A state cross country champion Ethan Zuber of the Ankeny boys' team along with standout high jumper Reagan Hanfelt of the Ankeny girls' squad. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 260
Hawks
Hawks look to regroup after closing out regular season with loss to Urbandale
It's time for the Ankeny boys' soccer team to regroup. The seventh-ranked Hawks closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 loss to visiting Urbandale, which snapped a five-game losing skid. The J-Hawks scored the game's only goal midway through the second half at Ankeny Stadium. "We had no injuries and no red (cards), but there were no other … [Read more...] about Hawks look to regroup after closing out regular season with loss to Urbandale
‘We had no double bagels’: Hawkettes fight hard in 5-0 loss to No. 4 Valley girls
The Ankeny girls' tennis squad closed out its season on Tuesday with a 5-0 loss to fourth-ranked Valley in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament at Crossroads Park. The Hawkettes, who did not play Valley during the regular season, finished with a 4-9 record. "Overall, I thought we played well," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "When a … [Read more...] about ‘We had no double bagels’: Hawkettes fight hard in 5-0 loss to No. 4 Valley girls
‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes
A year ago, the Ankeny baseball team came up one victory shy of qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament. Coach Joe Balvanz and the Hawks are hoping to clear that hurdle this season. "The practices have been going great," said Balvanz. "The players are working hard every day to improve their skill set and baseball IQ. This group has … [Read more...] about ‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes
‘It’s our Achilles’ heel’: Hawkettes lose another PK shootout, share CIML crown
The Ankeny girls' soccer team ran out of gas. It resulted in another shootout loss. The second-ranked Hawkettes closed out the regular season on Friday with a 2-1 loss at No. 4 Valley. The Tigers' win, coupled with No. 1 Waukee Northwest's 4-2 victory at No. 7 Ankeny Centennial, allowed the Wolves to tie Ankeny for the CIML Conference title. "The … [Read more...] about ‘It’s our Achilles’ heel’: Hawkettes lose another PK shootout, share CIML crown
Hawks beat Indianola in substate team tourney before falling to C.R. Washington
The Ankeny boys' tennis squad advanced to the semifinals of a Class 2A substate team tournament on Saturday before dropping a 5-1 decision at seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Washington, which lost a total of only 10 games in the five singles matches that it won. The Warriors (11-4) advanced to play Johnston (6-4) in the substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks … [Read more...] about Hawks beat Indianola in substate team tourney before falling to C.R. Washington
Tentative qualifiers announced for coed state track and field meet
The tentative qualifiers for this year's coed state track and field meet at Drake Stadium have been announced. Here are all of the qualifiers from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial: Girls 100--Morgan Posusta (AC) 200--Karsen Jacks (A) 400--Charlee Cibula (A), Morgan Johnson (A), Ellie Pollock (AC) 800--Ellie Blevins (AC), Julia Flick (AC), Alli … [Read more...] about Tentative qualifiers announced for coed state track and field meet
‘I’m proud of the boys’: Depleted Hawks fall to Valley boys, drop to 9-7 on season
A week off to prepare for postseason play might be just what the Ankeny boys' soccer team needs. Unfortunately, the seventh-ranked Hawks still have one game left to close out the regular season. Ankeny dropped a 3-0 decision on Friday to visiting Valley, one of the state's hottest teams. The No. 5 Tigers extended their winning streak to 13 … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of the boys’: Depleted Hawks fall to Valley boys, drop to 9-7 on season
Ankeny girls edge Roughriders, will play No. 4 Valley in regional semifinal Tuesday
The Ankeny girls' tennis team will get a shot at CIML Conference rival Valley after all. The Hawkettes won two of the three doubles matches to beat visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, 5-4, in the quarterfinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Friday. The Roughriders finished the season with a 6-4 record. Ankeny (4-8) will play No. 4 Valley (9-3) in … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls edge Roughriders, will play No. 4 Valley in regional semifinal Tuesday
Drefke earns medalist honors again, leads Jaguars to victory over Ankeny
Ankeny Centennial's Payton Drefke earned medalist honors for the third time in four days and for the fifth time this season on Thursday. The senior carded a 4-over-par 39 at Copper Creek to finish one stroke ahead of Southeast Polk's Kate Wahman in a CIML Conference triangular meet. Her round was highlighted by a birdie on the par-4, No. 4 … [Read more...] about Drefke earns medalist honors again, leads Jaguars to victory over Ankeny
Hawks, Hawkettes sweep team titles at Class 4A SQM in impressive fashion
It was a jubilant bus ride home for the Ankeny track teams on Thursday night. Both squads captured team titles in a Class 4A state qualifying meet at Council Bluffs. More importantly, the Hawkettes and Hawks unofficially qualified for next week's state meet in 17 and 15 events, respectively. "We are so excited with how our team competed," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks, Hawkettes sweep team titles at Class 4A SQM in impressive fashion
Hawkettes, Jaguars earn No. 1 regional seeds, but face tough roads to state
The road to the state tournament won't be an easy one for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer teams. Both the Hawkettes and Jaguars earned No. 1 seeds for regional play from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union, but will likely have to beat familiar opponents from the CIML Conference in order to qualify for state. Second-ranked Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars earn No. 1 regional seeds, but face tough roads to state
Victor uses ‘Herculean effort’ to become Ankeny’s first state qualifier since 2017
Ankeny junior Dylan Victor is headed to the boys' state tennis tournament later this month. Victor qualified with a second-place finish in singles at a Class 2A district tournament on Wednesday at Norwalk. He became the Hawks' first state qualifier since Griffin Laib in 2017. "I had a little bit of confidence based on the schools we were playing," said … [Read more...] about Victor uses ‘Herculean effort’ to become Ankeny’s first state qualifier since 2017
Drefke wins conference title by 9 shots, leads Centennial to 3rd-place finish
Ankeny Centennial's Payton Drefke entered the final round of the CIML Conference girls' golf meet with a three-stroke lead. The senior didn't have to sweat out a narrow victory. Drefke carded a 4-over-par 75 on Wednesday at Otter Creek to finish with a 36-hole total of 152, allowing her to earn medalist honors by nine strokes over Adalyn Wiig of Waukee … [Read more...] about Drefke wins conference title by 9 shots, leads Centennial to 3rd-place finish
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 259
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the girls' regional tennis tournaments with coaches Alli Gustafson of Ankeny Centennial and Steve Smith of Ankeny and previews the upcoming regional team tournaments. Coldwell Banker realtor Janae Griffith also makes an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 259
Ankeny girls top Urbandale, clinch at least share of CIML Conference crown
The Ankeny girls' soccer players aren't satisfied with a share of the CIML Conference championship. The Hawkettes want to capture the outright crown. That's why there wasn't much of a celebration on Tuesday after third-ranked Ankeny posted a 2-0 victory at No. 12 Urbandale to clinch at least a tie for the title. The Hawkettes may need to win at No. 2 … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls top Urbandale, clinch at least share of CIML Conference crown
Hawkettes defeat previously unbeaten North Polk behind Macke, Gott, Dietz
The Ankeny girls' soccer players didn't need the wind at their backs on Monday night. The third-ranked Hawkettes scored three goals in the first half against the wind and went on to post a 4-0 victory in a non-conference game against visiting North Polk, the No. 2 squad in Class 2A. "It kind of worked in our favor," said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. "We … [Read more...] about Hawkettes defeat previously unbeaten North Polk behind Macke, Gott, Dietz
‘It was a solid performance’: Schmitz places 4th in singles at regional tourney
Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith knew it would be difficult for any of his players to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament. But that didn't make it any easier for him to watch it unfold. "Your heart always goes out to your seniors when they don’t qualify in their last chance to make state," said Smith. "That being said, overall it was a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a solid performance’: Schmitz places 4th in singles at regional tourney
Drefke earns medalist honors at Waukee Invite, takes lead at conference meet
The Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team posted its best score of the season on Monday while placing fourth in the Waukee Invitational at Beaver Creek. Ankeny, meanwhile, took 11th in the 13-team field. The event also served as the opening round of the CIML Conference meet, which will conclude on Wednesday at Otter Creek. Centennial's Payton Drefke … [Read more...] about Drefke earns medalist honors at Waukee Invite, takes lead at conference meet
No. 7 Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 6; Jaguars will play at Iowa City High
Monday was a good day for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer teams. The Hawks moved into the No. 7 spot in the latest Class 4A rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. That allowed coach Trevor Fuccio's squad to earn a No. 1 seed in Substate 6 for postseason play. Ankeny (9-6) will host either Cedar Rapids Jefferson … [Read more...] about No. 7 Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 6; Jaguars will play at Iowa City High