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A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has been busy preparing his team for this week's Class 4A state tournament, but he still took some time on Sunday to visit Barney Alleman and Keith Hildreth, two former Ankeny players who played in three consecutive state tournaments in 1948-50. A third former player, Vern Herring, was unable to make it. … [Read more...] about A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends

Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt

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Ankeny sophomore guard Savannah Gage has been named to the CIML Conference girls' basketball first team along with a pair of Ankeny Centennial players--senior guard Makenna Clark and sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt. Gage, who led the Hawkettes to a 12-11 record this season, was one of five unanimous picks to the squad. She averaged 16.6 points per game, … [Read more...] about Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt

‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown

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A year ago, the Ankeny girls' track team nearly captured a trophy at the Class 4A state meet, finishing just 1.5 points out of third place. The Hawkettes, who placed seventh with 44.5 points, might have enough talent back from that squad to earn some hardware this spring. Ankeny boasts 16 returning state qualifiers for new head coach T.J. Jumper, who … [Read more...] about ‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown

‘What more could a guy ask for?’: Ankeny native Bauer named to replace Nelson

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It turns out that the successor to Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson was already on his coaching staff. Assistant coach Jeff Bauer has been named to replace Nelson, who announced in early January that he was leaving to return to his previous position as the offensive line coach at Northern Iowa. "This is what I'm supposed to be doing," said Bauer, an … [Read more...] about ‘What more could a guy ask for?’: Ankeny native Bauer named to replace Nelson

Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz earn all-district honors along with Centennial duo

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Ankeny girls' basketball standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz have been named to the Class 5A West all-district team for the second straight year. The duo was joined on the squad by a pair of Ankeny Centennial players, Makenna Clark and Jaeden Pratt. The all-district teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Gage, a sophomore guard, … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz earn all-district honors along with Centennial duo

‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half

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The first half of Friday's game at Ames could not have gone much better for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the second half could not have gone any worse. After building a 39-26 halftime lead, the Hawks were outscored in the final two periods, 46-12, and dropped a 72-51 decision in a Class 4A substate semifinal. They finished an … [Read more...] about ‘My hat’s off to Ames’: Little Cyclones end Ankeny’s season with huge 2nd half

Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North

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Ankeny's dream of qualifying for the girls' state basketball tournament will have to wait at least another year. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes led for much of the game before falling at No. 5 Davenport North, 65-61, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. The Wildcats (21-2) advanced to next week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, while Ankeny finished … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short in regional final at No. 5 Davenport North

Ankeny place-kicker Warner verbally commits to play for Simpson College

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Like a lot of athletes, Ankeny football player Keeghan Warner wanted to continue his career at the collegiate level, but part of his decision-making process included financial considerations. Warner, a place-kicker, found the right fit in Simpson College. He announced his verbal commitment to the Storm over the weekend. "I looked at a pretty good … [Read more...] about Ankeny place-kicker Warner verbally commits to play for Simpson College

‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win

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With an 8-14 record, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't win enough games to earn a first-round bye in postseason play. That was just fine with junior Lio Aguirre. Aguirre poured in 27 points to lead the Hawks to a 76-52 victory over visiting Ottumwa in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. The Bulldogs, who had won their previous two games … [Read more...] about ‘It’s what we needed’: Aguirre scores 27, leads Hawks to lopsided substate win

Hawk wrestlers place 10th, Jaguars finish 12th in Class 3A state tournament

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It was a rollercoaster Saturday for the Ankeny wrestling team during the consolation finals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks went 3-7 on the day and finished in 10th place overall with 89.5 points. Still, they had six placewinners for the first time under coach Jack Wignall. "It was a really fun tournament," said … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers place 10th, Jaguars finish 12th in Class 3A state tournament

‘We found a way to win’: Ankeny girls advance with late rally against Wolves

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Saturday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest put a lot of stress on Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly. "I think I lost a year of my life because of that game," McAnelly said. In the end, though, the 12th-ranked Hawkettes held off Northwest for a 56-54 victory in a Class 5A regional semifinal. They defeated the Wolves for the third time … [Read more...] about ‘We found a way to win’: Ankeny girls advance with late rally against Wolves

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Savannah Gage, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Sophomore guard Savannah Gage scored 22 points to lead the 12th-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 56-54 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She had 17 of her points in the first half. Gage has helped the Hawkettes to a 12-10 record. She is averaging 16.3 points per game and leads the team with 29 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Savannah Gage, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Ankeny wrestlers fall to 10th, Jaguars drop to 12th after semifinal losses

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It was a rough Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Crosstown rival Ankeny fared considerably better in the Class 3A state tournament, especially in the consolation rounds. The Hawks went 6-3 on the back sides of the brackets and are now in 10th place with 81.5 points. Six of Ankeny's nine state qualifiers earned … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers fall to 10th, Jaguars drop to 12th after semifinal losses

‘That was awesome’: Cale Vandermark, Lucas Bruhl punch tickets to semifinals

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Ankeny Centennial freshman Cale Vandermark was getting tired during his quarterfinal match at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Thursday. His opponent, though, was beginning to fade as well under the bright lights at Wells Fargo Arena. The sixth-seeded Vandermark got a takedown in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime, then got … [Read more...] about ‘That was awesome’: Cale Vandermark, Lucas Bruhl punch tickets to semifinals

MOVING ON: Ankeny’s Hansen, Anderson advance to semifinals for first time

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In each of the last two seasons, Ankeny wrestlers Ben Hansen and Jace Anderson couldn't advance past the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament. On Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena, the duo smashed through that hurdle in impressive fashion. The third-seeded Hansen posted a 6-2 decision over No. 6 Trevor Oberbroeckling of Southeast Polk in a … [Read more...] about MOVING ON: Ankeny’s Hansen, Anderson advance to semifinals for first time

Hinrichs avenges district loss, moves on to quarterfinals along with 3 other Hawks

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A huge win by senior Will Hinrichs helped put the Ankeny wrestling team into early contention for a top-five finish in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The ninth-seeded Hinrichs posted a 7-4 decision over No. 8 Joshua Hemsted of Carlisle in a second-round match at 220 pounds on Wednesday night. He avenged a 5-4 loss in the … [Read more...] about Hinrichs avenges district loss, moves on to quarterfinals along with 3 other Hawks

Ankeny DB Johnson commits to play football at Benedictine College

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Ankeny defensive back Reid Johnson has committed to play football at Benedictine College, an NAIA school located in Atchison, Kan. Johnson announced his commitment via Twitter on Wednesday. "COMMITTED!!" he tweeted. "Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches for always supporting me and pushing me. I will be furthering my academic and athletic … [Read more...] about Ankeny DB Johnson commits to play football at Benedictine College

Jaguars advance 4 wrestlers into Thursday’s quarterfinals, sit in 7th place

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team sits in seventh place with 36 points after Wednesday's opening session of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Jaguars qualified a school-record 12 wrestlers for the tournament and advanced four of them into Thursday night's quarterfinals. They are sixth-seeded Cale Vandermark at 106 … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance 4 wrestlers into Thursday’s quarterfinals, sit in 7th place