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Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class

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Karsten Bernholtz didn't join the Ankeny football team until his senior year. The defensive end made enough of an impact, though, to earn an opportunity to take his skills to the next level. Bernholtz has committed to play next year for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. He becomes the second Hawk in the Tritons' recruiting class, following … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class

‘Tremendous’ four-year run for Centennial seniors ends with loss to potent Dragons

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Scott DeJong stood in the media interview room in the bowels of Wells Fargo Arena and beamed with pride even though the season had just ended for his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. "It's just been a tremendous run with these guys," DeJong said of his nine seniors. "They're my type of team. They play hard, they compete, and they work together. … [Read more...] about ‘Tremendous’ four-year run for Centennial seniors ends with loss to potent Dragons

‘There’s no margin for error’: Jaguars fall to No. 1 Johnston in Class 5A semifinals

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The fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team ended its season on Thursday with a 61-42 loss to No. 1 Johnston in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mya Crawford and Ava Martin each had 13 points for the Jaguars, who finished the season at 17-8. Jaeden Pratt added six points and seven rebounds. "I was … [Read more...] about ‘There’s no margin for error’: Jaguars fall to No. 1 Johnston in Class 5A semifinals

‘They all showed they cared’: Iowa Central coaches convince Hill to become a Triton

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Ankeny linebacker Tristan Hill has committed to play football at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Hill helped the Hawks to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals last season. "I looked at quite a few schools all the way from JUCO and NAIA up to D2 so I got to experience the different levels a little bit throughout my … [Read more...] about ‘They all showed they cared’: Iowa Central coaches convince Hill to become a Triton

Group assignments for 2025 and 2026 football seasons announced by IHSAA

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Following Wednesday morning’s Zoom meeting of the IHSAA Board of Control, district and group assignments for the 2025 and 2026 football seasons are now available. Districts and Class 5A groups are effective for a two-year cycle. This will be the second cycle with a socioeconomic factor added for football classifications. Approved in 2023 by the State … [Read more...] about Group assignments for 2025 and 2026 football seasons announced by IHSAA

‘Ava was awesome!’: Hot-shooting Martin leads Centennial girls past No. 5 Spartans

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Ava Martin has been a prolific scorer on the pitch for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The Missouri Western soccer recruit showed on Monday that she can find the net on the basketball court, too. The senior guard made her first six shots from 3-point range and tied her career-high with 20 points to lead fourth-ranked Centennial to a 51-47 … [Read more...] about ‘Ava was awesome!’: Hot-shooting Martin leads Centennial girls past No. 5 Spartans

Jaguars hold off Pleasant Valley, will play No. 1 Johnston in Thursday’s semifinals

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Ava Martin tied her career-high with 20 points and the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team posted a 51-47 victory over No. 5 Pleasant Valley in a Class 5A quarterfinal on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt each scored 10 points and dished out five assists for the Jaguars (17-7), who built a 20-point lead late in … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off Pleasant Valley, will play No. 1 Johnston in Thursday’s semifinals

‘I really like the culture that Central has’: Ankeny’s Dorfler to play football for Dutch

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Ankeny offensive lineman Jack Dorfler has committed to play football next year at Central College. Dorfler announced his future plans on social media Friday. "It's a relief that I made my decision," he said. Dorfler helped Ankeny to a 6-5 record last season. The Hawks reached the Class 5A quarterfinals. Dorfler, who was named to the District 6 … [Read more...] about ‘I really like the culture that Central has’: Ankeny’s Dorfler to play football for Dutch

‘What we tried didn’t work’: Cason scores school-record 46, leads DC-G past Hawks

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was hoping to get another shot at CIML Conference rival Valley, the two-time defending Class 4A state champion. But Dallas Center-Grimes senior guard Kyle Cason had plenty of motivation to play the Tigers, too. The Valley transfer scored a school-record 46 points on 13-of-19 shooting to lead the Mustangs to a 76-69 … [Read more...] about ‘What we tried didn’t work’: Cason scores school-record 46, leads DC-G past Hawks

FROSH PHENOMS: Johnson, Winkel named to all-conference first team

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Ankeny natives Carson Johnson and Luke Winkel have both been named to the all-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first team, the league office announced on Thursday. They were the only two freshmen among the 12 men's basketball players on the first team. Johnson, a former Ankeny star, earned the honor despite playing in only 17 games for MSU Moorhead … [Read more...] about FROSH PHENOMS: Johnson, Winkel named to all-conference first team

Missouri recruit Zuber repeats as Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year

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Two-time state champion Ethan Zuber of Ankeny has been named Iowa's Gatorade cross country runner of the year for the second straight season. The senior pulled away in the final half mile to defend his boys' Class 4A title on Nov. 1 at Fort Dodge. He posted a time of 15:01.2 in the 5K race. Zuber was part of the lead pack for the first two miles before … [Read more...] about Missouri recruit Zuber repeats as Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year

Ankeny senior Shaw bowls 548 series, places 22nd in Class 3A state tournament

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Ankeny's Johanna Shaw earned a 22nd-place finish in the girls' Class 3A state bowling tournament on Wednesday at Cadillac XBC in Waterloo. Shaw, a senior at Ankeny Christian Academy, became the first Ankeny girl to qualify for state as an individual since Emma Bryant and Brianna Payton both advanced in 2012. "This year was her first year of high school … [Read more...] about Ankeny senior Shaw bowls 548 series, places 22nd in Class 3A state tournament

‘That’s really been the story of our season’: Ankeny’s late rally falls short at No. 3 NW

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team is still looking to get over the hump. The 14th-ranked Hawkettes ended their season on Tuesday with a 43-37 loss at No. 3 Waukee Northwest, which closed out the game with a 9-3 run. Ankeny lost in a Class 5A regional final for the fifth straight year. The last four losses have come by a total of 15 points. "We just … [Read more...] about ‘That’s really been the story of our season’: Ankeny’s late rally falls short at No. 3 NW

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kash Johnson, Ankeny wrestling

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Sophomore Kash Johnson helped the Ankeny wrestling team to a 12th-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament last week at Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks scored a total of 80.5 points. Johnson was one of four placewinners for the squad, earning an eighth-place finish at 150 pounds. He finished the season with a 26-19 record. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kash Johnson, Ankeny wrestling

Hawkettes earn another shot at Waukee Northwest by rolling past Sioux City East

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) As soon as the light turned green, the Ankeny girls' basketball team slammed its foot down on the gas and the Hawkettes never bothered to look back. Ankeny turned in one of its best games of the season to open up postseason play as the 14th-ranked Hawkettes posted a 66-14 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a Class 5A … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn another shot at Waukee Northwest by rolling past Sioux City East

‘I had to prove everybody wrong again’: Dhabolt wins Class 3A title at 157 pounds

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The title drought is over for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers. In their seventh appearance in a Class 3A championship match, the Jaguars finally got an individual state championship on Saturday night courtesy of sophomore Max Dhabolt, who became the first boy in school history to capture a crown. "Oh my gosh, it's been a long time coming," said … [Read more...] about ‘I had to prove everybody wrong again’: Dhabolt wins Class 3A title at 157 pounds

No. 4 Jaguars, No. 14 Hawkettes advance to regional finals with lopsided victories

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball teams opened postseason play on Saturday night with lopsided victories. The fourth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 68-17 triumph over visiting Marshalltown, while the No. 14 Hawkettes cruised to a 66-14 win over visiting Sioux City East in another Class 5A regional semifinal. We'll have stories on both games … [Read more...] about No. 4 Jaguars, No. 14 Hawkettes advance to regional finals with lopsided victories