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Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Grizzle, ACA boys’ basketball

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Senior center Caleb Grizzle led the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 23-1 record. He had 15 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks and four assists as the Eagles ended their season with a 58-56 loss to Council Bluffs St. Albert in a Class 1A substate final on Feb. 25 at Adel. The 6-foot-7 Grizzle averaged a team-high 17.0 points, 8.3 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Grizzle, ACA boys’ basketball

Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough

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The CIML Central Conference boys' basketball first team includes a trio of players from Ankeny. Senior guard Dillon Carlson and junior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny were both named to the team along with junior forward Cody McCullough of Ankeny Centennial. The all-conference teams were selected by the league's coaches. Bayless led the Hawks to a 13-8 … [Read more...] about Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough

Petersen to coach Centennial girls’ golf; Smith takes over Ankeny boys’ tennis program

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John Petersen always thought he'd be a head golf coach someday. Steve Smith never thought he'd pursue a high school coaching position. Now, both of them are getting ready to tackle new challenges this spring. Petersen, the former Ankeny boys' basketball and assistant boys' tennis coach, has taken over the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf program. He … [Read more...] about Petersen to coach Centennial girls’ golf; Smith takes over Ankeny boys’ tennis program

Schon, McCullough earn all-state honors from IGCA, IPSWA

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The Central Iowa Metropolitan League dominated the Class 5A state tournament last week, placing seven of its schools in the eight-team field. Now, the CIML has dominated the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. The league boasts six of the eight first-team selections and 15 of the 24 all-staters overall. Seniors Rachel Schon … [Read more...] about Schon, McCullough earn all-state honors from IGCA, IPSWA

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Isabelle Vacek was one of the top reserves on the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The junior post player helped the Hawkettes to a 9-12 record this season. She scored a career-high 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 63-24 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Nov. 27. Vacek averaged 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. She made 63.9 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny girls’ basketball

McCullough, Schon named to coaches’ Central Conference first team

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After racking up double-doubles on a regular basis, Sara McCullough of Ankeny and Rachel Schon of Ankeny Centennial have both been named to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. McCullough, a senior forward, led the Hawkettes to a 9-12 record this season. The Northern Iowa recruit averaged a team-high … [Read more...] about McCullough, Schon named to coaches’ Central Conference first team

McCullough, Schon to play in Larry Niemeyer Senior All-Star Game

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For the last four seasons, Sara McCullough of Ankeny and Rachel Schon of Ankeny Centennial have been rivals on the basketball court. For one weekend next month, the two seniors will become teammates. Both McCullough and Schon have been selected to play in the Larry Niemeyer Senior All-Star Game on April 6-7 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar … [Read more...] about McCullough, Schon to play in Larry Niemeyer Senior All-Star Game

Ankeny AD Buttjer accepts same position at Dallas Center-Grimes

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Ankeny High School Activities Director Brent Buttjer has been named to the same position at Dallas Center-Grimes for the 2019-20 school year. Buttjer has been at Ankeny since the split into two high schools in the fall of 2013. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, families, coaches, and directors of the Ankeny Community School … [Read more...] about Ankeny AD Buttjer accepts same position at Dallas Center-Grimes

Ankeny pitcher Fulk commits to play baseball for Hawkeyes

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Ankeny High School's Class of 2021 appears to have multiple college prospects in a variety of sports. One of them has already made his future plans. Sophomore pitcher Weston Fulk has verbally committed to play baseball for Iowa. He chose the Hawkeyes after attending one of their winter evaluation camps. "They had open arms for me," said Fulk. "They … [Read more...] about Ankeny pitcher Fulk commits to play baseball for Hawkeyes

Ankeny volleyball coach makes ‘tough decision to walk away’ from program

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Ankeny volleyball coach Joe Morton has resigned from his position after four years at the school. Morton compiled a 116-48 record after replacing longtime Ankeny coach Dave Whims in 2015. He guided the Hawkettes to a pair of state tournament appearances. "It's always a tough decision to walk away," said Morton. "I tried to reassure the kids when I met … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball coach makes ‘tough decision to walk away’ from program

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Drake Bennett, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Drake Bennett is a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The senior forward helped Ankeny to a 13-8 record, including a 5-5 mark in the CIML Central Conference. The Hawks ended their season with a 68-64 loss to visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. Bennett averaged 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Drake Bennett, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

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Every time the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a loss this season, head coach Brant Carlson was hoping that it would be a learning lesson for the Hawks. When Ankeny closed out the regular season on Friday with a 71-68 loss at Mason City, Carlson was again hoping that his team could bounce back with the start of postseason play three days … [Read more...] about Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

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If the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams want to experience some March Madness, they'll first have to pull off some upsets in February. Both squads will begin postseason play on Monday at home, but the Hawks and Jaguars will then likely have to defeat two higher-seeded teams to qualify for the state tournament, which will be held on … [Read more...] about Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

SOLID GOLD: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson capture state wrestling titles

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall waited six years to crown his first individual state champion. He only had to wait about 30 minutes for his second one. Ankeny's top-ranked duo of Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen each won a title in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena, leading the Hawks to their best finish since the … [Read more...] about SOLID GOLD: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson capture state wrestling titles

McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

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Dru McAnelly is a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who defeated Rutgers on Saturday on a miracle 3-pointer at the buzzer. About 30 minutes before Joe Weiskamp banked in the game-winner for the Hawkeyes from the corner, McAnelly's Ankeny girls' basketball team was in a similar position, down two points with the ball in the final seconds. However, the … [Read more...] about McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

Ankeny’s Kallem earns 7th-place finish at state wrestling tourney

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Sam Kallem got a taste of what the state wrestling tournament is all about this week. The Ankeny junior is looking to go back for more next year. The seventh-ranked Kallem earned a seventh-place finish in Class 3A at 132 pounds on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. He posted a 7-1 decision over No. 8 Christian Stanek of Cedar Rapids Xavier in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Kallem earns 7th-place finish at state wrestling tourney

Hawks stumble to 71-68 loss at Mason City in regular-season finale

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Fortunately for the Ankeny boys' basketball team, Friday's game at Mason City was essentially meaningless. The Hawks dropped a 71-68 decision in their regular-season finale, giving them a couple of days to prepare for Monday's Class 4A substate quarterfinal against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. "It wasn't fun at all, but what do you do?" said … [Read more...] about Hawks stumble to 71-68 loss at Mason City in regular-season finale

Anderson, Rathjen could capture twin titles for Hawk wrestlers

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Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen watched from the bowels of Wells Fargo Arena as Trever Anderson turned in a dominating performance in the semifinals of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Friday afternoon. A few minutes later, Rathjen joined his teammate in earning a trip to Saturday night's finals, giving the top-ranked duo a chance to capture twin … [Read more...] about Anderson, Rathjen could capture twin titles for Hawk wrestlers