Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller

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Overcoming adversity has become a way of life for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks, who got off to a 1-10 start this season, avenged two of those losses with a 48-46 victory at Ames in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. They rallied from an early 10-point deficit despite playing without sophomore forward Nolan Otten, who tripped at his … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller

Hawks, Jaguars to begin postseason play with rematches

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The boys' basketball postseason gets under way for the Class 4A teams on Monday night. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will face a rematch in the quarterfinal round. The third-seeded Jaguars (13-8) host sixth-seeded Des Moines Lincoln (5-17) at 7 p.m. The Railsplitters have lost 10 of their last 11 games, including a 66-52 decision at Centennial in the … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars to begin postseason play with rematches

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny wrestling

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Caleb Rathjen is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The Ankeny freshman placed second at 113 pounds in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Rathjen advanced to the finals before dropping a 10-8 decision to top-ranked Nick Oldham of Valley in a seesaw match. He compiled a 20-2 record … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny wrestling

Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey

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Apparently, there is a second girls' basketball coach in Ankeny who likes to celebrate big victories by doing the Hokey Pokey. Scott DeJong started the tradition during his long run at Ankeny High School, where he guided the Hawkettes to six state championships. He then continued the ritual when he moved across town to Ankeny Centennial, where he led the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey

Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title

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On Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena, Caleb Rathjen was 2 minutes away from winning his first state wrestling title. Now, the Ankeny freshman will have to wait 365 days to get another shot at winning a crown. Valley's top-ranked Nick Oldham rallied in the third period to beat the second-ranked Rathjen, 10-8, in the Class 3A championship match at 113 … [Read more...] about Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title

Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks

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Ankeny senior Spencer Anderson closed out his wrestling career in style. Ankeny Centennial sophomore Logan Neils showed that his career is just beginning to blossom. Neils earned a fourth-place finish at 160 pounds in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Anderson finished seventh at 132 with a 9-7 decision over 10th-ranked … [Read more...] about Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks

Hawks ‘run out of gas’ in loss to Dowling Catholic

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In its regular-season finale, the Ankeny boys' basketball team showed just how dangerous the Hawks can be during postseason play. Visiting Dowling Catholic also demonstrated its potential to be a contender for the Class 4A state title. Ankeny made five 3-point goals while jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first half before the Maroons rallied … [Read more...] about Hawks ‘run out of gas’ in loss to Dowling Catholic

Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals

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  Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe share at least one trait in common. They both look comfortable on Iowa's biggest wrestling stage. The duo posted dominating wins on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena to advance to Saturday's championship matches in the Class 3A state tournament. "It feels great. It's an awesome … [Read more...] about Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals

Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals

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Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe are both headed to the Class 3A semifinals of the state wrestling tournament on Friday night. The second-ranked Rathjen pinned No. 7 Jakey Penrith of Cedar Falls in 3 minutes 11 seconds in a quarterfinal match at 113 pounds on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. The freshman won for the 19th time … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals

Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson advance to Friday’s quarterfinals

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall didn't want to spend too much time on the mat on Thursday afternoon. Thanks to strong performances by Caleb Rathjen and Spencer Anderson, he didn't have to. Both of Ankeny's state qualifiers won their first-round matches in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, allowing Wignall to spend the rest of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson advance to Friday’s quarterfinals

Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state

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Ankeny Centennial's eight state wrestling qualifiers aren't content with just making it to Wells Fargo Arena. Neither are the two qualifiers from Ankeny High School. "We're happy that we qualified, but we're not satisfied," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, whose team advanced the most wrestlers in the five-year history of the school. "We want to get up … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state

Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team needed a bucket on Tuesday night, the Hawks got the rock in the hands of Dillon Carlson. The junior sharpshooter responded to the challenge nearly every time. After scoring a basket at the end of the first and second quarters, Carlson saved his most dramatic buzzer-beater for last. He made a 3-point goal with about … [Read more...] about Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln

Season ends for Ankeny bowlers with ‘off night’ at district tourney

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The Ankeny bowling teams picked a bad time to have an off night. Ankeny traveled to Marshalltown on Tuesday to compete in a Class 3A district tournament at Wayward Social. The Hawks placed third among four boys' teams with a 2,758 total, while the Hawkettes finished fourth in the girls' field with a 2,315. Neither squad qualified for next week's state … [Read more...] about Season ends for Ankeny bowlers with ‘off night’ at district tourney

Ankeny bowling teams seek berth to state tournament

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The Ankeny bowling teams will face some strong competition in a Class 3A district tournament on Tuesday at Wayward Social in Marshalltown. Johnston, Linn-Mar (Marion) and Marshalltown will be the other teams in the field. The action gets under way at 1 p.m. Johnston is the defending girls' state champion in Class 3A. Three of the top six bowlers are … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams seek berth to state tournament

Ex-Ankeny star Huston inducted into Iowa Swimming Hall of Fame

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When Kiel Huston was a young athlete, he never dreamed that he would eventually become a Hall of Fame swimmer. "Not for a second," he said. "I remember in age-group swimming, I was never the best. But just over the years through practice and coaching and hard work, I had the opportunity to have a really good career." Huston went on to become a … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Huston inducted into Iowa Swimming Hall of Fame

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears, Ankeny bowling

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Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears are the Ankeny Fanatic preps of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The seniors are both members of the Ankeny bowling teams. Sears has led the Ankeny girls' squad to a 5-5 dual-meet record. She placed fourth in the CIML Central Conference meet on Thursday at Great Escape and is ranked 14th in the state among all … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears, Ankeny bowling

Ankeny’s Caleb Rathjen, Spencer Anderson capture district titles, punch ticket to state

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After being placed in a tough district, Ankeny advanced only two wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Caleb Rathjen at 113 pounds and Spencer Anderson at 132 each won an individual title for the Hawks, who placed fourth among the eight teams in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Waukee. They finished with 171.5 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Caleb Rathjen, Spencer Anderson capture district titles, punch ticket to state

Hawk swimmers tie for 3rd at state, win coin flip for trophy

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Thanks to the flip of a coin, the Ankeny boys' swimming team returned home from Saturday's state meet with a coveted trophy. The top-ranked Hawks finished in a third-place tie with No. 5 Bettendorf after both teams scored 166.5 points at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. A coin flip was then held to determine which team would get the … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers tie for 3rd at state, win coin flip for trophy

Young leads the way as Valley girls avenge loss to Hawkettes

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Valley's Zoe Young showed again on Friday why she's considered one of the nation's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2019. Young, a Maryland recruit, made a trio of 3-point goals and scored 19 points to lead the 12th-ranked Tigers to a 68-58 victory over No. 15 Ankeny at Valley. The junior guard also had eight rebounds, three assists, two … [Read more...] about Young leads the way as Valley girls avenge loss to Hawkettes