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Hawks

‘We’ve just got to hit better’: Hawkettes open season with 2-1 loss at Norwalk

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The Ankeny softball team opened the season on Monday with a walk-off loss. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 2-1 decision at Norwalk when Nyah Hulbert drove in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Warriors are ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. "At the end of the day we've just got to hit better," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just got to hit better’: Hawkettes open season with 2-1 loss at Norwalk

‘Our culture is at an all-time high’: Ankeny girls to rely heavily on Division I recruits

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Most high school softball teams don't have a Division I recruit on their roster. Ankeny is blessed to have three. The Hawkettes will again be led by seniors Cassie Johnson and Abby Rusher and junior Aubrey Lensmeyer. Johnson will play for Texas Tech next year, Rusher is headed to Creighton, and Lensmeyer has committed to South Dakota. Last year, the … [Read more...] about ‘Our culture is at an all-time high’: Ankeny girls to rely heavily on Division I recruits

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: All Macke, Ankeny girls’ track/soccer

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Junior Alli Macke placed in four events to help the Ankeny girls' track team to an eighth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Thursday through Saturday at Drake Stadium. Macke placed fifth in the 800 for the second straight year, posting a time of 2:14.37. She also anchored the Hawkettes to a third-place finish in the 4x800 relay, a fifth-place … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: All Macke, Ankeny girls’ track/soccer

‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy

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The Ankeny baseball team got off to a good start in Saturday's non-conference game at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Unfortunately, the fifth-ranked Cougars responded. Kennedy erased an early 4-0 deficit to post a 13-8 victory. The Cougars improved to 6-0 on the season, while Ankeny's record dropped to 1-3. "We gave up two three-run bombs, and that was tough … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy

‘We just had 3 immaculate days’: Hawks score record 112 points, cruise to 4A title

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The members of the Ankeny boys' track team shared some hugs on the infield turf as the crowd exited Drake Stadium on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The Hawks had just made some history in the Class 4A state meet, racking up a record 112 points to win the school's first state championship since 1972. "I didn't know how many points we could score," said … [Read more...] about ‘We just had 3 immaculate days’: Hawks score record 112 points, cruise to 4A title

Hawkettes place 8th in Class 4A, while Jaguars take 12th to equal highest finish

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When the dust had finally settled on Saturday afternoon, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams both had plenty of reasons to be happy about their performances in the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium. The Hawkettes and Jaguars also showed that they have a bright future. Several underclassmen played key roles for both squads in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 8th in Class 4A, while Jaguars take 12th to equal highest finish

Hawks capture DMR crown, remain atop 4A standings; Jaguars claim 4×200 title

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While the Ankeny boys' track team continued its quest for the Class 4A state championship by winning its fourth event title on Friday, its crosstown rival also made a considerable amount of noise at Drake Stadium. Ankeny Centennial raced to a victory in the 4x200 relay, which also allowed the Jaguars to move into the top 10 in the team … [Read more...] about Hawks capture DMR crown, remain atop 4A standings; Jaguars claim 4×200 title

Hawkettes, Jaguars score points in DMR, remain in contention for top-10 finishes

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Heading into the final day of the coed state track meet, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' teams are still in the mix for top-10 finishes in Class 4A. The Hawkettes are tied with Valley for sixth place with 19 points apiece. The Jaguars are tied with Burlington for 11th with 15 points. Two-time defending champion Waukee Northwest has moved into … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars score points in DMR, remain in contention for top-10 finishes

‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning

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Visiting Bettendorf erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning and defeated the Ankeny baseball team, 11-5, in a non-conference game on Thursday. It was the home opener for the Hawks, who dropped to 1-2 on the season. "The wheels kind of fell off at the end," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "It took us 74 pitches to get through the sixth and seventh … [Read more...] about ‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning

‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race

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The Ankeny boys' track team didn't just make a huge statement on Thursday. The Hawks made several of them. Ankeny won the first three finals on the track in the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium, double-placed in the high jump and took a commanding lead in the team race heading into Friday's events in the three-day competition. The Hawks have … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race

Hawkettes, Jaguars collide often on opening day of coed state track meet

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The opening day of the coed state track meet featured a few head-to-head battles between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' teams. In two of the events on Thursday at Drake Stadium, both the Hawkettes and Jaguars scored points. They each earned top-three finishes in the high jump and top-six finishes in the 4x800 relay. "I really enjoy running … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars collide often on opening day of coed state track meet

‘This group will always be special to me’: Hawkettes end year with 6th-place finish

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The Ankeny girls' golf team ended its season on Wednesday with a sixth-place finish in a Class 4A regional meet at American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown. The Hawkettes posted a 391 total. "I’m so proud of all the work the girls did this year!" said first-year Ankeny coach Kelley Emke. "We set a goal of getting more consistent as a team and … [Read more...] about ‘This group will always be special to me’: Hawkettes end year with 6th-place finish

‘They played their hearts out’: Hawks’ late rally earns twinbill split at Pleasant Valley

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A dramatic rally allowed the Ankeny baseball team to earn a season-opening split of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Pleasant Valley. The Hawks rallied for five runs in the seventh inning of the nightcap to erase a 7-2 deficit, then got a sacrifice fly from Jack Clevidence in the eighth to post an 8-7 victory. "It wasn't the prettiest … [Read more...] about ‘They played their hearts out’: Hawks’ late rally earns twinbill split at Pleasant Valley

Hawks look to regroup after closing out regular season with loss to Urbandale

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It's time for the Ankeny boys' soccer team to regroup. The seventh-ranked Hawks closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 loss to visiting Urbandale, which snapped a five-game losing skid. The J-Hawks scored the game's only goal midway through the second half at Ankeny Stadium. "We had no injuries and no red (cards), but there were no other … [Read more...] about Hawks look to regroup after closing out regular season with loss to Urbandale

‘We had no double bagels’: Hawkettes fight hard in 5-0 loss to No. 4 Valley girls

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The Ankeny girls' tennis squad closed out its season on Tuesday with a 5-0 loss to fourth-ranked Valley in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament at Crossroads Park. The Hawkettes, who did not play Valley during the regular season, finished with a 4-9 record. "Overall, I thought we played well," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "When a … [Read more...] about ‘We had no double bagels’: Hawkettes fight hard in 5-0 loss to No. 4 Valley girls

‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes

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A year ago, the Ankeny baseball team came up one victory shy of qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament. Coach Joe Balvanz and the Hawks are hoping to clear that hurdle this season. "The practices have been going great," said Balvanz. "The players are working hard every day to improve their skill set and baseball IQ. This group has … [Read more...] about ‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes

‘It’s our Achilles’ heel’: Hawkettes lose another PK shootout, share CIML crown

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team ran out of gas. It resulted in another shootout loss. The second-ranked Hawkettes closed out the regular season on Friday with a 2-1 loss at No. 4 Valley. The Tigers' win, coupled with No. 1 Waukee Northwest's 4-2 victory at No. 7 Ankeny Centennial, allowed the Wolves to tie Ankeny for the CIML Conference title. "The … [Read more...] about ‘It’s our Achilles’ heel’: Hawkettes lose another PK shootout, share CIML crown

Hawks beat Indianola in substate team tourney before falling to C.R. Washington

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The Ankeny boys' tennis squad advanced to the semifinals of a Class 2A substate team tournament on Saturday before dropping a 5-1 decision at seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Washington, which lost a total of only 10 games in the five singles matches that it won. The Warriors (11-4) advanced to play Johnston (6-4) in the substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks … [Read more...] about Hawks beat Indianola in substate team tourney before falling to C.R. Washington