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Talented Ankeny girls focusing more on process goals rather than outcomes

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The ceiling appears to be very high for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. The Hawkettes return several varsity regulars from last year's squad that posted a 14-3 record. They advanced to the Class 2A state team tournament before dropping a 5-0 decision in the opening round to eventual champion Dowling Catholic, which handed Ankeny two of its three … [Read more...] about Talented Ankeny girls focusing more on process goals rather than outcomes

‘Be a goldfish’: Ankeny golfers look to have fun, improve a little bit each day

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Last spring, the Ankeny girls' golf team missed an opportunity to qualify for a state meet that would be held on its home course. Now, the Hawkettes are hoping that history doesn't repeat itself. The Class 4A state meet was held at Otter Creek in 2022, but Ankeny failed to qualify after placing fifth in a regional meet at Willow Creek. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about ‘Be a goldfish’: Ankeny golfers look to have fun, improve a little bit each day

SOCCERTOWN: Centennial, Ankeny girls are 1-2 in first Class 3A rankings of 2023

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Defending champion Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked 1-2 in the first Class 3A girls' soccer rankings of the season. The Jaguars (1-0) opened their season on Tuesday with a 10-0 victory over visiting Carlisle. The Hawkettes (1-0) posted a 1-0 overtime win at North Polk, the No. 3 team in Class 2A. Ankeny and Centennial met in the Class 3A … [Read more...] about SOCCERTOWN: Centennial, Ankeny girls are 1-2 in first Class 3A rankings of 2023

Ankeny, Centennial boys combine to win 6 events at Early Bird Relays

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams combined to win six events in the Early Bird Relays on Tuesday at Waukee Northwest. No team scores were kept at the meet, which attracted a field of six schools. "The team competed and placed very well throughout," said Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. The Jaguars had eight top-three finishes overall, … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial boys combine to win 6 events at Early Bird Relays

Ankeny girls’ team wins 3 events, places 3rd overall at Waukee Invitational

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The Ankeny girls' track team won three events and placed third overall in the Waukee Invitational on Tuesday. Ames won the meet with 92 points, while Southeast Polk was the runner-up in the 10-team field with 87. The Hawkettes finished with 84 points. "We had about 80 girls compete between JV and varsity," said Ankeny coach TJ Jumper. "As a staff we … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ team wins 3 events, places 3rd overall at Waukee Invitational

‘I’m choosing family over my career’: McAnelly resigns after 7 seasons

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly has resigned from his position after seven seasons at the school. McAnelly said it was simply time to put his family first. "It was a hard decision, but it's one that three years ago my wife and I talked about it," McAnelly said. "Our kids were going to reach eighth grade and play school ball, and we knew … [Read more...] about ‘I’m choosing family over my career’: McAnelly resigns after 7 seasons

Freshman scores game-winner in OT, Close posts shutout in Ankeny’s victory

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A couple of newcomers helped the Ankeny girls' soccer team to a season-opening victory on Tuesday. Freshman Sydney Van Houweling scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give the Hawkettes a 1-0 triumph at North Polk in a non-conference contest. She found the net with a blast from about 20 yards out in the final minute of the first extra … [Read more...] about Freshman scores game-winner in OT, Close posts shutout in Ankeny’s victory

‘Our goal is to be a fitter team’: Hawks return several varsity regulars from 2022

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Coach Ron Miller is hoping that his Ankeny boys' tennis players will be in better shape this season. "We've incorporated a new fitness program this year," Miller said. "It seems to be settling in with the players pretty well in week two (of practice). Our goal is to be a fitter team that doesn't run out of gas at the critical year-end state qualifying … [Read more...] about ‘Our goal is to be a fitter team’: Hawks return several varsity regulars from 2022

Hawks claim Marske Indoor crown; Sickerson named Athlete of the Meet

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A long road trip proved to be productive Monday for the Ankeny boys' track team. The Hawks traveled to Brookings, S.D., for the Ruth Marske Indoor Invitational on the campus of South Dakota State University. They racked up 106 points to win the team title, defeating 19 other schools. Sioux Falls (S.D.) Lincoln was the runner-up with 78 points. "It … [Read more...] about Hawks claim Marske Indoor crown; Sickerson named Athlete of the Meet

Hawks will have to replace Newhard, but 3 all-conference players are back

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Ankeny boys' soccer coach Marcus Varnum faces a monumental task this season. He'll have to find a way to replace the scoring production from all-state forward Lucas Newhard. Newhard joined the Hawks' program for his senior season a year ago and led the team to a 19-2 record. He scored a school-record 36 goals, more than half of the team's 71 goals, and … [Read more...] about Hawks will have to replace Newhard, but 3 all-conference players are back

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jasmine Moser, Ankeny girls’ soccer

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Senior goalkeeper Jasmine Moser is one of seven returning starters for the Ankeny girls' soccer team. She made 49 saves as a junior while helping the Hawkettes to an 18-2 record in 2022. Moser was named to the Class 3A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. She received all-state honorable mention from the Iowa High School Soccer … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jasmine Moser, Ankeny girls’ soccer

Hawkettes return 7 starters from team that conceded only 2 goals in 2022

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With the return of senior goalkeeper Jasmine Moser, the Ankeny girls' soccer team will likely boast another formidable defensive unit in 2023. The Hawkettes posted an 18-2 record a year ago and allowed just two goals all season. They advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament before falling to Council Bluffs Lincoln, 1-0, in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes return 7 starters from team that conceded only 2 goals in 2022

Football group assignments for Class 5A announced by IHSAA

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The district and group assignments for the 2023 and 2024 football seasons have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Districts and Class 5A groups are effective for a two-year cycle. The 2023 season will be the first with a socioeconomic factor added for classifications. Approved this winter by the State Board of Education, the … [Read more...] about Football group assignments for Class 5A announced by IHSAA

Winkel named to Class 4A first team, while Johnson earns 2nd-team honors

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Ankeny Centennial's Luke Winkel enjoyed a breakout season on the basketball court. His counterpart at Ankeny, Carson Johnson, spent much of the campaign trying to regain his form after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason. Both junior point guards have been rewarded for their efforts by earning all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers … [Read more...] about Winkel named to Class 4A first team, while Johnson earns 2nd-team honors

Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Winkel named to CIML Conference first team

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Standout junior guards Carson Johnson of Ankeny and Luke Winkel of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's boys' basketball coaches. Winkel, who led the Jaguars to a 16-8 record and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament, was a unanimous pick. He averaged a team-high 16.8 points, 4.9 assists and 1.5 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Winkel named to CIML Conference first team

New head coach Mullen inherits deep, talented Ankeny boys’ track squad

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The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' track team brings a lot of experience to the program. Jordan Mullen was a standout hurdler at Iowa who won two Big Ten titles and was a two-time all-American. He previously coached at Atlantic, where he guided the Trojans to three consecutive Hawkeye Ten crowns and led the team to a pair of top-three finishes in the … [Read more...] about New head coach Mullen inherits deep, talented Ankeny boys’ track squad

Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized

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Ankeny basketball standout Jenna Pitz has received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second straight year. Pitz, a senior guard, was a repeat selection to the Class 5A third team. She was joined on that squad by sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. Pitz's teammate, Savannah Gage, was named to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors

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The future looks very bright for Class 5A girls' basketball in the state of Iowa. Six sophomores and a pair of freshmen were among the players named to the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, who selected the squads during a meeting on Saturday in conjunction with a panel of coaches. Ankeny star Savannah Gage and … [Read more...] about YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors