Ankeny Fanatic

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Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship

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Kira Smith is one win away from becoming the city of Ankeny's first-ever state tennis champion. The top-seeded Ankeny senior posted a 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 4 Lily Holland of Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the semifinals of the Class 2A singles division at the girls' state tournament on Saturday morning at Iowa City. She will play for the title this … [Read more...] about Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship

‘We just needed a little luck’: Hawkettes earn another trip to state on Macke’s goal

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For much of Friday's game against visiting Cedar Falls, the ball didn't bounce right for the Ankeny girls' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes struggled to find the net in a Class 3A regional final, and the chances of going to overtime grew more and more likely as the minutes ticked off the clock in the second half. "I was definitely worried," said … [Read more...] about ‘We just needed a little luck’: Hawkettes earn another trip to state on Macke’s goal

Wahlberg’s golden goal sends Hawks back to state tourney in dramatic fashion

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) No matter how the extra time golden goal went in, it was going to be either the game that got away from Ankeny or the major comeback effort that fell just short for visiting Des Moines Lincoln. But in back-to-back seasons, the Hawks will now head into the boys' Class 4A state soccer tournament off the back of a dramatic … [Read more...] about Wahlberg’s golden goal sends Hawks back to state tourney in dramatic fashion

Smith cruises into Class 2A semifinals, while Peterson becomes placewinner

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The potential matchup between Ankeny senior Kira Smith and Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson never materialized on Friday in the Class 2A singles bracket, but both players advanced to the second day of the girls' state tournament at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. The top-seeded Smith cruised into the semifinals with a pair … [Read more...] about Smith cruises into Class 2A semifinals, while Peterson becomes placewinner

‘It was awesome!’: Hawkettes celebrate coach’s birthday with sweep over Waukee

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The Ankeny softball players gave head coach Sarah Saladino a perfect birthday present. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes rebounded from Wednesday's season-opening loss to sweep a doubleheader on Thursday against visiting Waukee, the No. 11 team in Class 5A. They won by scores of 3-1 and 2-1 to give their first-year coach her first two victories with the … [Read more...] about ‘It was awesome!’: Hawkettes celebrate coach’s birthday with sweep over Waukee

Struggling Hawks drop both games of doubleheader against No. 4 Waukee

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The Ankeny baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against visiting Waukee on Thursday. The fourth-ranked Warriors posted a 6-3 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 15-1 win in five innings. They improved to 3-0 in the CIML Conference and 9-0 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 0-3 and 0-7. Waukee has outscored … [Read more...] about Struggling Hawks drop both games of doubleheader against No. 4 Waukee

‘Having fresh legs is a huge benefit’: Ankeny gets some rest in rout over Rails

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It took just a tick under 7 minutes into the game for Alli Macke to score off a corner kick, and the rest was history. The fifth-ranked and top-seeded Ankeny girls' soccer team set a new season-high in goals after seven different players combined for nine goals in a shutout victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a Class … [Read more...] about ‘Having fresh legs is a huge benefit’: Ankeny gets some rest in rout over Rails

‘We came out strong right away’: Ankeny takes 4-0 lead before Dragons rally to win

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The seventh-ranked Ankeny softball team jumped out to a 4-0 lead before No. 10 Johnston rallied for a 6-4 victory in a CIML Conference game on Wednesday at Ankeny. It was the season opener for both squads. "That's what it's going to be like every night," said first-year Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. "Whether it's a single (game) or a doubleheader, … [Read more...] about ‘We came out strong right away’: Ankeny takes 4-0 lead before Dragons rally to win

No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener

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The Ankeny baseball team took a big step forward on Wednesday. The Hawks opened CIML Conference play with a 3-1 loss to visiting Johnston, the No. 2 team in Class 4A. The Dragons (5-1) scored the go-ahead runs in the sixth inning. "It was a very well-played high school baseball game," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team dropped to 0-5 on the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener

‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg

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Cal Wahlberg and Landon Benge each scored a pair of goals to lead the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 6-2 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate semifinal on a rainy Tuesday night. Austin Lundberg and Andrew Loder also found the net for the eighth-ranked Hawks, who matched their season-high of six goals in a win over Ames on April … [Read more...] about ‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg

Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis

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John Petersen and Steve Smith were both hired for head coaching positions in the Ankeny school district in the spring of 2019. Now, several years later, they are both departing at the same time. Petersen is planning to resign as the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf coach. He has yet to officially submit his resignation letter, but has told his golfers of … [Read more...] about Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis

Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union released its first softball rankings of the season on Tuesday. Ankeny Centennial is No. 2 in Class 5A behind CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest. The Jaguars will open their season on Tuesday night with a non-conference game at Norwalk, the No. 7 team in Class 4A. Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season

Ankeny’s Victor, Weichers eliminated from boys’ Class 2A state doubles tournament

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The Ankeny doubles team of Dylan Victor and Garrett Weichers was eliminated from the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament on Tuesday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. Victor and Weichers opened the tournament with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Brock Davis and Preston Haefner of Cedar Rapids Washington. The Hawks played their best tennis in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Victor, Weichers eliminated from boys’ Class 2A state doubles tournament

‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid

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The slow start has continued for the Ankeny baseball team. After dropping both games of a doubleheader against fifth-ranked Pleasant Valley on Thursday, the Hawks traveled to Cedar Rapids on Saturday to face two more ranked opponents. Ankeny dropped an 8-1 decision to Iowa City High, the No. 1 team in the preseason rankings. The Hawks then fell to 0-4 … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Morgan Fisher, Ankeny girls’ track

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Morgan Fisher helped the Ankeny girls' track team to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet Thursday through Saturday at Drake Stadium. Fisher placed fourth in the 400 in 56.61 seconds and finished 11th in the 200 in 25.58. She also ran on the runner-up distance medley and fourth-place 4x400 relays. As she now makes the transition to the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Morgan Fisher, Ankeny girls’ track

‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown

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Landon Pote proudly held on to the Class 4A championship trophy as his teammates on the Ankeny boys' track squad crowded around him on the infield turf at Drake Stadium. The Hawks had just won a second consecutive state title on Saturday in emphatic fashion. "I asked God for three things: for high jump to go better than last year, for shuttle hurdle to … [Read more...] about ‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown

‘We could not be more proud’: Coaches praise efforts by Hawkettes, Jaguars

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Senior Drew Beason and her Ankeny teammates left it all out on the track Saturday. Their crosstown rivals from Ankeny Centennial did the same. Both the Hawkettes and Jaguars walked away from the girls' Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium feeling good about what they accomplished. "We could not be more proud of this team and how they performed," … [Read more...] about ‘We could not be more proud’: Coaches praise efforts by Hawkettes, Jaguars

Several starters are back as Saladino takes over Hawkettes’ softball program

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The move across the diamond to the third base coach's box has been a smooth one for Ankeny softball coach Sarah Saladino. Before taking over the Hawkettes' program last fall, Saladino had served as the assistant for coach Dave Bingham since 2019. She previously had been a head coach at Waterloo West for four years. "Overall, I think that it has been a … [Read more...] about Several starters are back as Saladino takes over Hawkettes’ softball program

Jaguars defend state title in 4×200 relay, break all-time mark in 4×100 preliminaries

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Noah Ross, Robert McGhee, Caleb Reed and Braeden Jackson got their all-time state record, but just not the one they were on the hunt for. The Ankeny Centennial quartet was on the cusp of setting the all-time record in the 4x200 relay after becoming the second team in Iowa high school history to run a time that was sub-1:26 … [Read more...] about Jaguars defend state title in 4×200 relay, break all-time mark in 4×100 preliminaries