Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Hawks

Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events

by

The Ankeny girls' swimming team advanced to Saturday's finals at the state meet in five of the eight individual events. Seniors Anja Peck and Josie Parton both qualified in two events during Friday's preliminaries at the Marshalltown YMCA. Junior Sophie Loeffler was the Hawkettes' other individual qualifier. Peck qualified for the "A" final in the 200 … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events

An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome

by

For only the second time ever, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams will meet in the playoffs. In 2016, the Jaguars posted a 34-24 victory in the opening round. This time, the stakes will be considerably higher. The crosstown rivals will collide under the bright lights of the UNI-Dome in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday. Kickoff is at 7 … [Read more...] about An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome

‘I can’t wait to be a Griff!’: Ankeny’s Hans to play softball at Missouri Western

by

Ankeny senior Lily Hans will continue her softball career at Missouri Western State University. The Griffons are members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and compete in NCAA Division II. "I can't wait to be a Griff!" Hans tweeted on Wednesday. Hans, an infielder, said she was really impressed by coach Joe Yegge and assistant … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to be a Griff!’: Ankeny’s Hans to play softball at Missouri Western

Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 239 (Part 2)

by

In part two of the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down Friday's Jag-Hawk showdown in the Class 5A semifinals at the UNI-Dome with junior running back Braeden Jackson and senior defensive back Nate Christiansen of Ankeny Centennial and junior quarterback Luke Anderson and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 239 (Part 2)

‘I can’t wait to play for them’: Ankeny hurler Meyer to play baseball for Storm

by

Ankeny senior Nick Meyer has verbally committed to play baseball at Simpson College. Meyer said he considered a few other schools before choosing the Storm. "It ultimately wasn’t really a tough decision for me," he said. "I was familiar with the school with my mom being an alumna, so that made it a lot easier just knowing from prior knowledge what … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to play for them’: Ankeny hurler Meyer to play baseball for Storm

Ankeny swimmers advance 3 relays, 12 individual qualifiers to state meet

by

The Ankeny girls' swimming team has qualified for the state meet in all three relays and also boasts a total of 12 individual qualifiers in the eight swimming events. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes placed second in a regional meet on Saturday at Mason City with 438 points. They qualified for the state meet in every event except for diving, which was held on … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers advance 3 relays, 12 individual qualifiers to state meet

‘Our kids are just relentless’: Hawks stun No. 2 Dowling, earn trip to UNI-Dome

by

(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The only thing standing in the way of Ankeny’s ticket to the Class 5A semifinals was the powerhouse of Dowling Catholic, which had handed the Hawks one of their three losses during the regular season. This time, however, David defeated Goliath in stunning fashion. No. 7 Ankeny pulled off a 14-7 upset on Friday at Williams … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids are just relentless’: Hawks stun No. 2 Dowling, earn trip to UNI-Dome

‘I found a love for the sport’: Ankeny’s Jumper to run track at Central College

by

Ankeny hurdler Ella Jumper has verbally committed to join the Central College women's track and field program. Jumper, who qualified for the Class 4A state meet last spring in the shuttle hurdle relay, picked the Dutch after looking at a few other schools, including Wisconsin-La Crosse. "I was very particular in what I wanted so I only went on a few … [Read more...] about ‘I found a love for the sport’: Ankeny’s Jumper to run track at Central College

‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller

by

It's a shame that one team had to lose in the Jag-Hawk matchup at the state volleyball tournament on Monday. Both squads played well enough to win the Class 5A quarterfinal at Xtream Arena in Coralville. In the end, second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory over No. 7 Ankeny, which nearly overcame a huge … [Read more...] about ‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller

‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals

by

Monday's Jag-Hawk rematch in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament lived up to the pre-match hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a furious rally by No. 7 Ankeny to post a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Jaguars (31-6) will play No. 3 Waukee Northwest or No. 6 Cedar Falls … [Read more...] about ‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

by

The state volleyball tournament gets under way on Monday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. We already know that at least one team from Ankeny will advance to the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday. Ankeny will face Ankeny Centennial in one of the four quarterfinal matchups. The tournament kicks off at noon on Court One, where Dowling Catholic will meet … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish

by

Ethan Zuber made a promise to Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman a year ago that he would become a Class 4A state champion in 2023. The junior delivered on that promise Friday at the Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.The second-ranked Zuber pulled away from No. 3 Jaden Merrick of Cedar Falls in the final mile to win the 5k race in a time of 15 … [Read more...] about Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish

Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way

by

The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country teams have had some close battles all season. The two squads had another one on Friday in the Class 4A state meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed seventh in the 15-team field for the second straight year, finishing with 186 points. No. 5 Centennial took ninth with … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way

‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling

by

(Story by Gabe Ploeger) Late into the fourth quarter, in the moment where it mattered most, the Ankeny Hawks secured their ticket to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A football playoffs. With only 2 minutes to go, the Hawks held a 14-9 lead over visiting Johnston and had the ball at the Dragons' 32-yard line, but faced a crucial third down. All … [Read more...] about ‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling

‘Ultimately, I went with my heart’: Ankeny junior to play softball at South Dakota

by

Ankeny junior Aubrey Lensmeyer has verbally committed to play softball at South Dakota. Lensmeyer announced her decision via social media on Wednesday. "It was probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make," said Lensmeyer. "I kept going back and forth, and it took me a while to really figure out exactly what I wanted. Ultimately, I went with … [Read more...] about ‘Ultimately, I went with my heart’: Ankeny junior to play softball at South Dakota

‘Unfinished business’: Hawkettes qualify for state, get rematch vs. Centennial

by

The Ankeny volleyball team got the rematch that many of the Hawkettes wanted. After sweeping visiting Iowa City Liberty in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, seventh-ranked Ankeny will face No. 2 Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals of the state tournament on Monday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, beginning at 12:25 p.m. "I would love to go against … [Read more...] about ‘Unfinished business’: Hawkettes qualify for state, get rematch vs. Centennial

Ankeny swimmers edge Valley for 3rd place at CIML Conference meet

by

The Ankeny girls' swimming team is hoping to peak at the end of the season. Saturday's CIML Conference meet at Johnston, which featured five of the state's top six teams, was a good place to start. Fifth-ranked Ankeny placed third in the six-team field with 283.5 points. The Hawkettes edged No. 6 Valley by a half-point for third place. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers edge Valley for 3rd place at CIML Conference meet

Rematch Friday: Hawks to host Johnston, while Jaguars travel to Waukee NW

by

The pairings are set for the Class 5A football playoffs. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are slated to face familiar opponents. The seventh-ranked Hawks (6-3) will host No. 10 Johnston (5-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. It's a rematch of a game from Sept. 15 that Ankeny won, 16-10. The two teams also met in last year's playoffs. The Dragons posted a 23-13 … [Read more...] about Rematch Friday: Hawks to host Johnston, while Jaguars travel to Waukee NW