On three occasions during the regular season, the Ankeny baseball team got a win from senior lefthander Brock Adamson to bounce back from a loss. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz handed the ball to Adamson on Friday after the Hawks closed out the regular season with back-to-back losses earlier this week. Adamson responded with another gem, tossing a … [Read more...] about Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday
Hawks
Hawks close out regular season with 6-3 loss to No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes
After closing out the regular season on Wednesday against the champions of the Little Hawkeye Conference, the Ankeny baseball team will now prepare for another opponent from the eight-team league. The Hawks, who dropped a 6-3 decision to eighth-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes on their home field, will host Norwalk in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 6-3 loss to No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 226
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm discusses the Ankeny Centennial softball team's quest for the Class 5A state title with head coach Brett Delaney and senior catcher Sydney Morris. Ankeny swimmer Owen Schwebach, who has verbally committed to Xavier University, and Coldwell … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 226
‘We let it slip away’: Hawks fall to Valley after giving up 7 runs in 7th inning
The good thing about Monday's collapse by the Ankeny baseball team was that it didn't happen four nights later. The Hawks held a 5-2 lead against visiting Valley before the Tigers erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning to post a 9-5 victory in the CIML Conference finale for both teams. "We kind of had a two-out nightmare there in the last … [Read more...] about ‘We let it slip away’: Hawks fall to Valley after giving up 7 runs in 7th inning
‘I just reminded myself to relax’: Riesberg homers twice, leads Ankeny to two wins
Rylee Riesberg and the Ankeny softball team can't wait for the start of postseason play. That's because the third-ranked Hawkettes are one of the state's hottest teams. Riesberg homered in both games, the first two homers of her varsity career, as Ankeny defeated a pair of opponents on Monday at Cedar Rapids. The Hawkettes posted a 4-3 victory over … [Read more...] about ‘I just reminded myself to relax’: Riesberg homers twice, leads Ankeny to two wins
‘Xavier was my clear first choice’: Schwebach to swim for Musketeers
Ankeny boys' swimming standout Owen Schwebach has verbally committed to Xavier University in Cincinnati. Schwebach, a senior-to-be, picked the Musketeers over the University of Denver and Lindenwood University. "After my visit, Xavier was my clear first choice," said Schwebach. "I loved the size of the campus, the team atmosphere, and the support for … [Read more...] about ‘Xavier was my clear first choice’: Schwebach to swim for Musketeers
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kennedy Palmer, Ankeny softball
Senior second baseman Kennedy Palmer has helped the third-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 27-6 record. The Hawkettes will play two games in Cedar Rapids on Monday against Cedar Rapids Xavier, the No. 7 team in Class 4A, and West Delaware. Palmer is batting .345 with three doubles and 18 RBIs. She leads the Hawkettes with two triples and has also stolen … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kennedy Palmer, Ankeny softball
Adamson tosses gem to complete Ankeny’s twinbill sweep over J-Hawks
Ankeny pitcher Brock Adamson appears to be ready for the postseason. Adamson allowed just one hit and had nine strikeouts over the first 6 2/3 innings as the 10th-ranked Hawks posted a 4-1 victory over visiting Urbandale to complete a sweep of a CIML Conference baseball doubleheader on Thursday. He raised his record to 7-2 on the season. The senior … [Read more...] about Adamson tosses gem to complete Ankeny’s twinbill sweep over J-Hawks
Hawkettes sweep Urbandale, clinch second-place finish in CIML Conference
The Ankeny softball team wrapped up an outright second-place finish in the CIML Conference with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Urbandale on Thursday. The third-ranked Hawkettes posted a 5-0 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 6-1 triumph. They finished 12-4 in the league and improved to 27-6 overall, while Urbandale's records … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Urbandale, clinch second-place finish in CIML Conference
‘It was a great feeling’: Miller blasts two homers, leads Jaguars to win over rival
Easton Miller was hoping that his final baseball game against crosstown rival Ankeny would be one to remember. He certainly made it so. The senior outfielder blasted the first two home runs of his high school career to lead top-ranked Ankeny Centennial to an 11-3 victory over the visiting Hawks on Wednesday. "It was a great feeling," said Miller. … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great feeling’: Miller blasts two homers, leads Jaguars to win over rival
‘The 2023 class is a special group’: Hawkettes romp to win on Senior Night
Cassie Johnson and Abby Rusher got a rare night off Tuesday for the Ankeny softball team. The two junior standouts were relegated to bench duty as Ankeny coach Dave Bingham started an all-senior lineup on Senior Night as the third-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 10-1 victory over visiting Pella Christian in a non-conference game. "We were able to start … [Read more...] about ‘The 2023 class is a special group’: Hawkettes romp to win on Senior Night
Substate pairings announced: Jaguars earn No. 1 seed, while Hawks get a No. 2
When the Ankeny baseball team plays at Ankeny Centennial on Wednesday night, it will be the final meeting between the two squads unless they would happen to meet at the Class 4A state tournament next month. The top-ranked Jaguars and No. 10 Hawks were placed in different substate brackets on Wednesday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. … [Read more...] about Substate pairings announced: Jaguars earn No. 1 seed, while Hawks get a No. 2
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 225
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm discusses the Ankeny baseball team’s recent hot streak that lifted the Hawks into the Class 4A rankings with head coach Joe Balvanz and senior first baseman Ryan Maire. Coldwell Banker realtor Cody Pasa also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 225
No. 10 Hawks rout Waukee NW in 5 innings before Wolves salvage a split
After moving into the No. 10 spot in the latest Class 4A rankings, the Ankeny baseball team extended its winning streak to five games with an 18-2 victory in five innings in the opener of a CIML Conference doubleheader on Monday at Waukee Northwest. The Hawks scored seven runs in both the third and fifth innings. They pounded out 19 hits off three … [Read more...] about No. 10 Hawks rout Waukee NW in 5 innings before Wolves salvage a split
‘We’re in it for the championship’: Hawkettes sweep past Waukee NW
On the same night that its crosstown rival clinched the outright CIML Conference title, the Ankeny softball team showed that it's one of the top contenders to capture the Class 5A state championship. The third-ranked Hawkettes rallied for a 5-4 victory in 10 innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday at No. 2 Waukee Northwest, then completed a … [Read more...] about ‘We’re in it for the championship’: Hawkettes sweep past Waukee NW
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Max Watson, Ankeny baseball
Senior catcher Max Watson has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 16-15 record. The Hawks have won their last four games and are 10th in Class 4A in the latest rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Watson went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs to lead the Hawks to a 5-1 victory on Thursday at then-No. 4 Southeast Polk. He then … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Max Watson, Ankeny baseball
Hawks pound Carlisle, then beat Sioux City East to move back above .500 mark
The Ankeny baseball team moved back above the .500 mark with a pair of victories in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday. The Hawks rolled to an 11-1 win over Carlisle in five innings, then followed with a 3-1 triumph over Sioux City East. They extended their winning streak to four games while improving to 16-15 on the season. "Every win is important … [Read more...] about Hawks pound Carlisle, then beat Sioux City East to move back above .500 mark
Rusher, Winfrey lead Hawkettes past Davis County, Estherville Lincoln Central
Junior Abby Rusher and senior Kendra Winfrey have handled most of the pitching duties this season for the Ankeny softball team. On Friday in the Brent Prange Classic, the duo combined for a pair of shutouts while also going 7-for-13 at the plate with five RBIs. "I like splitting games," said Rusher. "It helps keep the opponent on their toes. Me and … [Read more...] about Rusher, Winfrey lead Hawkettes past Davis County, Estherville Lincoln Central
Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year
Ankeny boys' swimming star Lance Swanepoel has earned all-American honors in the 100 butterfly for the fourth consecutive year. Swanepoel was named an all-American in four events by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. The Wisconsin recruit was an 11-time all-American in his high school career. Swanepoel ranked fifth nationally in … [Read more...] about Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year
Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play
The Class 5A regional softball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Both top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Ankeny earned No. 1 seeds in their respective regions. The Jaguars (22-4) will host Des Moines East (6-26) or Des Moines North (0-17) in a Region 4 semifinal on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Ames (19-13) will … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play