Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

‘The course was unforgiving’: Hawks place 4th, Jaguars finish 6th at The Legacy

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The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk proved to be a huge challenge for the 66 golfers competing in the Waukee Northwest Invitational on Thursday. Only one of the 11 teams in the field managed to break 300. Defending Class 4A state champion Valley shot a 294 to capture the team crown, finishing 11 strokes ahead of Waukee. "I think my team said it best today, … [Read more...] about ‘The course was unforgiving’: Hawks place 4th, Jaguars finish 6th at The Legacy

No. 2 Hawks boast 11 returning all-district players from last year’s 5A runner-up

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A year ago, the Ankeny football team made a surprising postseason run to the UNI-Dome. This year, the Hawks won't be able to sneak up on any of their opponents. Ankeny returns several standouts from a team that posted a 9-4 record and earned a runner-up finish in Class 5A in its first season under coach Jeff Bauer, who was named the Class 5A coach of … [Read more...] about No. 2 Hawks boast 11 returning all-district players from last year’s 5A runner-up

Hawkettes hold off Ankeny Christian Academy to win Ankeny Quadrangular

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Two miles are all that separate Ankeny High School and Ankeny Christian Academy. Despite preseason scrimmages and players joining up together on club teams, the Hawkette and Eagle volleyball teams had never faced each other in a regular season matchup. Well the stars finally aligned as the Hawkettes hosted a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Ankeny Christian Academy to win Ankeny Quadrangular

Boehlert leads Jaguars to 4th-place finish, Hawks take 7th at Fort Dodge Invite

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The bar has been raised for boys' golf teams in Class 4A. What used to be a winning score against other large-school squads might now only be good enough for a middle-of-the-pack finish in an invitational. "A 290 is now our new 300," said Ankeny Centennial coach Andrew Reedy. "We will have to break 290 in order to win events against other CIML teams … [Read more...] about Boehlert leads Jaguars to 4th-place finish, Hawks take 7th at Fort Dodge Invite

Jaguars, Hawks team up to fight hunger during week of football rivalry game

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Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will conduct a food drive this week in conjunction with the Jag-Hawk football game on Friday night at Ankeny Stadium. The effort will support the Ankeny Service Center food pantry. Leading up to the game, the two schools will host a food drive competition. The winner will take possession of the JagHawk Trophy. Donations … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks team up to fight hunger during week of football rivalry game

‘The seeds have been planted’: Hawkettes seek more growth in Baethke’s 2nd year

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Liz Baethke feels a lot more comfortable now as the head coach of the Ankeny volleyball team. The Hawkettes feel a lot more comfortable with her, too. Baethke took over the program in the summer of 2023 and guided Ankeny to a 24-15 record in her first season. The Hawkettes qualified for the state tournament before falling to Ankeny Centennial in five … [Read more...] about ‘The seeds have been planted’: Hawkettes seek more growth in Baethke’s 2nd year

Ankeny to celebrate 20th anniversary of volleyball, girls’ basketball state titles

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The 2004-05 school year was a memorable one for Ankeny High School's athletic teams. The volleyball team won the first state title in school history. A few months later, the girls' basketball squad captured a record fourth consecutive five-player crown. It's hard to believe that was 20 years ago. In honor of those two achievements, Ankeny High … [Read more...] about Ankeny to celebrate 20th anniversary of volleyball, girls’ basketball state titles

Jaguars top Ankeny golfers in triangular meet at Otter; both teams fall to Valley

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On Monday, the Ankeny boys' golf team finished five strokes ahead of Ankeny Centennial while winning the Jesse Peck Invitational on the Jaguars' home course at Briarwood Golf Club. Two days later, Centennial returned the favor. The Jaguars shot a 292 on Wednesday to defeat Ankeny by five strokes in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Otter Creek. Both … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Ankeny golfers in triangular meet at Otter; both teams fall to Valley

‘I love this team’: Defending state champ Zuber, Hawks seek another podium finish

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Although the Ankeny boys' cross country team is third in the Class 4A preseason rankings by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches, the Hawks might be the team to beat on paper. Ankeny returns four of its top seven runners from last year's squad that earned a second consecutive third-place finish in Class 4A, led by defending state champion Ethan Zuber. … [Read more...] about ‘I love this team’: Defending state champ Zuber, Hawks seek another podium finish

Hawks shoot 296, edge Valley by one stroke to win title at Jesse Peck Invite

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The Ankeny boys' golf team is hoping to play the course at Briarwood Golf Club two more times during the 2024 season. The Hawks shot a 296 on Monday to win the Jesse Peck Invitational at Briarwood, which will also host the Class 4A state meet on Oct. 11-12. "I'm really proud of the team," said Ankeny senior Evan Hodapp, who was one of the Hawks' two … [Read more...] about Hawks shoot 296, edge Valley by one stroke to win title at Jesse Peck Invite

With Jumper now in charge, Hawkettes return 6 of their 7 varsity regulars

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The Ankeny girls' cross country team will look very familiar this season. Even the new head coach is a familiar face. Ankeny girls' track coach TJ Jumper took over the program in late spring after Quinn Groff departed to become the head girls' cross country coach at North Polk. Groff guided the Hawkettes to a seventh-place finish in the Class 4A state … [Read more...] about With Jumper now in charge, Hawkettes return 6 of their 7 varsity regulars

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Duncan Beelner, Ankeny boys’ golf

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Senior Duncan Beelner led the Ankeny boys' golf team to a runner-up finish in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Thursday at River Valley Golf Course in Adel. He carded a 2-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors in the season-opening meet. Beelner placed third on the team last year with a 39.3 average. He tied for 43rd place in the Class 4A state meet at … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Duncan Beelner, Ankeny boys’ golf

Beelner earns medalist honors, leads Ankeny to runner-up finish at River Valley

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Ankeny golfer Duncan Beelner had one of the best rounds of his high school career on Thursday. If only a few more putts would have dropped, it could have been even better. Beelner carded a 2-under-par 70 to lead the Hawks to a second-place finish in a season-opening boys' triangular meet at River Valley Golf Course in Adel. Blake Cronin of Waukee … [Read more...] about Beelner earns medalist honors, leads Ankeny to runner-up finish at River Valley

Hawk golfers return 4 varsity regulars from team that placed 10th in Class 4A

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Despite losing its top two players to graduation, the Ankeny boys' golf team still boasts plenty of talent. The Hawks return four varsity regulars from a team that placed 10th in last year's Class 4A state meet with a 634 total. They are seniors Duncan Beelner, Kyler Crimmins, Evan Hodapp and Caden Weddingfeld. "I am leaning heavily on those four … [Read more...] about Hawk golfers return 4 varsity regulars from team that placed 10th in Class 4A

Gustafson, Smith see both positives, negatives with moving girls’ tennis to fall

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Girls' tennis coaches Alli Gustafson of Ankeny Centennial and Steve Smith of Ankeny were both prepared for the possibility that their sport would be moving to the fall eventually. It officially happened on Monday with a dual press release from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association, beginning with the … [Read more...] about Gustafson, Smith see both positives, negatives with moving girls’ tennis to fall

IHSAA, IGHSAU to separate golf, tennis seasons starting in 2025-26

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The Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union have collaborated to reduce spring schedule congestion by moving boys’ golf and girls’ tennis to the fall sport seasons starting in the 2025-26 school year. The changes address decades-long concerns from member schools over scheduling and were approved by both the IHSAA’s … [Read more...] about IHSAA, IGHSAU to separate golf, tennis seasons starting in 2025-26

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eli Christensen, ACA baseball

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Senior pitcher Eli Christensen led the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to an 18-9 record. He was named to the Class 1A all-state third team and to the Central all-district first team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Christensen posted a 7-3 record with a 1.60 ERA while limiting opposing batters to a .185 average. He led Class … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eli Christensen, ACA baseball

Oakie named Player of Year by Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association

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Ankeny Centennial baseball star Joey Oakie has been named the Game One Player of the Year by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Oakie, a senior pitcher, was also a repeat selection to the All-State Super Team. The squad is comprised of the state's top 16 players regardless of class. Oakie was one of four players from Ankeny to receive … [Read more...] about Oakie named Player of Year by Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association