Ankeny lefthander Will Casel recorded only one strikeout during the first game of a CIML Central Conference baseball doubleheader on Monday at Southeast Polk. But the senior was still very effective. Casel tossed a three-hitter and retired 13 batters on fly balls as the Hawks extended their winning streak to seven games with a 3-2 victory in the opener … [Read more...] about Casel tosses 3-hitter, leads Hawks to split at Southeast Polk
Hawks
Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk
Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. Ankeny's Regan Smith failed to get down a sacrifice bunt during the seventh inning of a tie softball game on Monday at Southeast Polk. The sophomore catcher then hit an RBI double for the go-ahead run on the next pitch, igniting the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to a 6-5 victory in the first game of a CIML Central … [Read more...] about Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk
Hawkettes roll past Muscatine, earn another trip to state tourney
The Ankeny girls' soccer team didn't put a lot of emphasis on its opponent heading into Monday's regional final at Ankeny. It proved to be an effective strategy. The second-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 6-0 victory over No. 14 Muscatine to reach the state tournament for the second straight year. The Muskies finished with an 11-7 record. "I think we … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Muscatine, earn another trip to state tourney
After 6-1 start, Hawkettes look to end state tournament drought
The Ankeny softball team hasn't qualified for the state tournament since 2015, when the Hawkettes placed seventh in Class 5A. This year's squad appears to have the talent to end that drought. "I think our depth has really been building," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "I feel like we're set up for something really special, and I think it's a product … [Read more...] about After 6-1 start, Hawkettes look to end state tournament drought
Hawks, Jaguars each win twice at Tim Heggen Invitational
Saturday was a good day for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial baseball teams as both squads won a pair of games in the Tim Heggen Invitational at Ankeny. The Hawks rolled to a 9-1 victory over North Polk, the No. 10 team in Class 3A. They later defeated Davenport North, 5-4, in nine innings to extend their winning streak to six games. The Jaguars also … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars each win twice at Tim Heggen Invitational
A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT
Perhaps nobody had a bigger smile on his face Saturday than Dayne Kajewski. The injured senior on the Ankeny boys' soccer team carried the Class 3A third-place trophy after the sixth-ranked Hawks outlasted No. 5 Iowa City West, 4-3, in double overtime to win the consolation final at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. "I think I've been the loudest … [Read more...] about A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT
Hawks suffer heartbreaking loss, will play for 3rd place on Saturday
Somehow, the Ankeny boys' soccer team will have to find a way to regroup. The sixth-ranked Hawks (16-5) will play No. 5 Iowa City West (18-4) for third place in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. after suffering a heartbreaking loss in Friday's semifinals at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Ankeny built a 3-0 lead against No. 3 … [Read more...] about Hawks suffer heartbreaking loss, will play for 3rd place on Saturday
Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Ankeny pitcher Jayden Maifeld tossed a gem in the first game of a doubleheader against visiting Ames on Thursday. Then teammate Cameron Rinker threw another one in the nightcap, allowing the Hawks to sweep the CIML Central Conference opener. "It's fun to watch those two guys talk to each other. They kind of feed off each other," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Hawkettes roll past Clarke for 6th consecutive victory
The Ankeny softball team is on a roll. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes pounded out 16 hits and romped to a 10-3 victory over visiting Clarke (Osceola) in a matchup of 5-1 teams on Thursday at Ankeny. It was the sixth consecutive triumph for Ankeny, which is averaging 11 runs per game during its winning streak. "Overall, it was a good team performance," … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Clarke for 6th consecutive victory
Hawks stun No. 2 C.R. Prairie, will play Bettendorf in Friday’s semifinals
If the Ankeny boys' soccer team was supposed to be an underdog, the Hawks didn't play like one. Peter Gaspari scored the go-ahead goal in the 55th minute, Kolby Raineri added two late goals to seal the outcome, and sixth-ranked Ankeny stunned No. 2 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 3-0, in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Thursday at Cownie … [Read more...] about Hawks stun No. 2 C.R. Prairie, will play Bettendorf in Friday’s semifinals
Webb has bright future after placing 24th in state-meet debut
Jaci Webb didn't let a quintuple bogey on the par-4 No. 18 hole get into her head on Wednesday at Elmwood Country Club. The Ankeny freshman simply moved onto the front nine, where she carded a 4-over-par 39 en route to a 90 in the final round of the girls' Class 4A state golf meet at Marshalltown. She finished with a two-day total of 184, allowing her to … [Read more...] about Webb has bright future after placing 24th in state-meet debut
Thomas’ walkoff blast helps Hawkettes to sweep in conference opener
Senior first baseman Kennedy Thomas has been batting in the leadoff position for the Ankeny softball team. On Wednesday, Thomas served as the finisher as well. She smashed a two-run homer in the fourth inning to give the 15th-ranked Hawkettes a 14-1 victory over visiting Ames in the first game of a CIML Central Conference doubleheader. Her blast ended … [Read more...] about Thomas’ walkoff blast helps Hawkettes to sweep in conference opener
Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East
The Ankeny baseball team returned to Des Moines East on Wednesday and avenged last year's substate loss to the Scarlets by sweeping a doubleheader, 10-0 and 8-3. The Hawks won the opener in six innings for their first victory of the season. They then completed the sweep to improve their record to 2-3, while East dropped to 1-7. "We played much better … [Read more...] about Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East
Humble Legg sets single-season scoring record in Hawkettes’ win over Indianola
Ankeny's Alexis Legg scored four goals in the first 10 minutes of Wednesday's girls' soccer game against visiting Indianola. And she wasn't done yet. Legg later added a fifth goal, allowing her to break the school's single-season scoring record, as the second-ranked Hawkettes romped to a 10-0 victory in a Class 3A regional semifinal. The game ended at … [Read more...] about Humble Legg sets single-season scoring record in Hawkettes’ win over Indianola
Hawks, Jaguars gear up for state tournament openers on Thursday
When the boys' state soccer tournament gets under way on Thursday at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, fans of both Ankeny teams will get a chance to see two games for the price of one. Sixth-ranked Ankeny (15-4) and No. 8 Ankeny Centennial (15-4) will be playing Class 3A quarterfinal games on nearby fields. The Hawks and Jaguars could potentially meet … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars gear up for state tournament openers on Thursday
Ankeny’s Webb shoots a 94 in her state-meet debut
Ankeny's Jaci Webb overcame a rough start to shoot a 94 in the opening round of the girls' Class 4A state golf meet on Tuesday at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. After making a par on her first hole--the par-4 17th--Webb struggled on the next three holes. She had a triple bogey on No. 18, a quadruple bogey on No. 1, and a double bogey on No. … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Webb shoots a 94 in her state-meet debut
Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz still has a lot of faith in his team despite the Hawks' 0-3 start. Ankeny posted an 18-22 record a year ago, including a 6-14 mark in the CIML Central Conference. Several key players are back from that team, led by first-team all-conference selections Drew Hill and Jayden Maifeld. "We bring back a lot of experience," … [Read more...] about Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld
Central Conference rivals to battle for Class 4A girls’ golf crown
The battle for the Class 4A girls' golf championship could look a lot like the race for the CIML Central Conference title. Waukee, Valley and Ankeny Centennial are expected to be the top contenders in the Class 4A meet, which begins on Tuesday and concludes on Wednesday at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. That trio finished 1-2-3 at the Central … [Read more...] about Central Conference rivals to battle for Class 4A girls’ golf crown
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Brenny Frederick, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Sophomore goalkeeper Brenny Frederick has helped the Ankeny girls' soccer team to a 15-2 record and a No. 2 ranking in Class 3A. Frederick has played in 11 games, including nine starts, while sharing the goalkeeping duties with Laina Routson and Sidney Truman. She has made 33 saves while allowing seven goals. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Brenny Frederick, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Coach’s halftime rant ignites Hawks past Roosevelt for state tourney berth
Spencer Anderson called it one of the best speeches he has ever heard. The head coach of the Ankeny boys' soccer team, Jordan Burns, had trouble remembering what he said during halftime of the Hawks' showdown against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt on Saturday. "Sometimes I like to rant, and I get caught up in the moment," Burns said after his team … [Read more...] about Coach’s halftime rant ignites Hawks past Roosevelt for state tourney berth