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After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs

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Former Ankeny assistant boys' coach Dustin Rhoads has been named the head coach of the Ankeny boys' and girls' swimming programs. Rhoads was the associate head coach at Luther College for the last three years, helping both the men's and women's programs to American Rivers Conference championships in 2021-23. "I've had a great time at Luther," Rhoads … [Read more...] about After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs

No. 7 Dowling Catholic scores in bottom of 7th inning, posts 5-4 win over Hawks

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The seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic baseball team extended its winning streak to seven games with a walk-off win against visiting Ankeny on Wednesday. The Maroons scored the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a 5-4 victory. They improved to 7-5 in the CIML Conference and 16-5 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to … [Read more...] about No. 7 Dowling Catholic scores in bottom of 7th inning, posts 5-4 win over Hawks

‘I didn’t think it was gone’: Rusher’s 3-run blast lifts Ankeny past No. 1 Indianola

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Ankeny junior Abby Rusher earned a scholarship to play softball at Creighton primarily due to her potential as a pitcher. On Tuesday, the hard-throwing righthander demonstrated her prowess as a clutch hitter, too. Rusher hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to give the fourth-ranked Hawkettes a 3-2 victory in a non-conference game at Indianola, … [Read more...] about ‘I didn’t think it was gone’: Rusher’s 3-run blast lifts Ankeny past No. 1 Indianola

Griess responds to challenge, hurls 4-hit shutout to give Hawks split at Valley

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After dropping a 7-4 decision at Valley in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday, the Ankeny baseball team needed somebody to step up in order to end the Hawks' four-game losing streak. Senior pitcher Alex Griess did just that. The righthander tossed a four-hitter and had six strikeouts to lead Ankeny to a 3-0 victory in the second game of the … [Read more...] about Griess responds to challenge, hurls 4-hit shutout to give Hawks split at Valley

‘Everybody else stepped up’: Hawkettes sweep Valley without their best hitter

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The fourth-ranked Ankeny softball team proved on Monday that it can win without its best hitter. Junior catcher Cassie Johnson started the first game of a doubleheader at No. 2 Valley, but left after just one at-bat and did not return. She leads the squad with a .538 batting average, eight home runs and 27 RBIs. Still, the Hawkettes went on to sweep … [Read more...] about ‘Everybody else stepped up’: Hawkettes sweep Valley without their best hitter

Bergan, Pennington, Pitz earn first-team honors in CIML Conference

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Ankeny Centennial standouts Kate Bergan and Alanna Pennington have been named to the CIML Conference first team along with Ankeny star Jenna Pitz by a vote of the league's coaches. Pennington was previously a two-time first-team pick in the CIML Iowa Conference, while Bergan and Pitz were both honored last year before both schools joined the new nine-team … [Read more...] about Bergan, Pennington, Pitz earn first-team honors in CIML Conference

Rusher, Hawkettes finish perfect 4-0 in John Stevens Classic at Creston

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The Ankeny softball team outscored its opponents by a 35-5 margin while winning four games in the John Stevens Classic on Friday and Saturday at Creston. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes posted a 10-0 victory over Clarinda in six innings on Saturday before closing out the tournament with a 5-3 win over Winterset, the No. 8 team in Class 4A. "We were really … [Read more...] about Rusher, Hawkettes finish perfect 4-0 in John Stevens Classic at Creston

Ex-Ankeny DB Cornwell transfers to Northern Iowa, will reunite with Nelson

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Former Ankeny defensive back Will Cornwell is coming home. After spending one year at Colgate University, Cornwell has decided to transfer to Northern Iowa. He will be reunited with former Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson, who has returned to the Panthers as an assistant coach in charge of the offensive line. "Ultimately, moving closer to home and … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny DB Cornwell transfers to Northern Iowa, will reunite with Nelson

Centennial stars Duax, Heckenlaible named to CIML Conference first team

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standouts Ty Duax and Andrew Heckenlaible have been named to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. The duo led the Jaguars to a 10-6 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. Heckenlaible, a junior forward, racked up a team-high 12 goals and 31 points. He scored a goal in all four of his … [Read more...] about Centennial stars Duax, Heckenlaible named to CIML Conference first team

Moser, Pennington earn repeat all-state honors from Girls’ Coaches Association

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Soccer standouts Jasmine Moser of Ankeny and Alanna Pennington of Ankeny Centennial were both repeat selections to the Class 3A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. They were joined on the squad by Jenna Pitz of Ankeny. Moser, a senior goalkeeper, made 45 saves while helping Ankeny to a 12-4-1 record. The Hawkettes qualified for … [Read more...] about Moser, Pennington earn repeat all-state honors from Girls’ Coaches Association

Urbandale baseball team uses 13-run 1st inning to defeat Hawks, 21-6

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The Ankeny baseball team got off to a good start with a pair of runs in the first inning of Thursday's game at Urbandale. Then the 10th-ranked J-Hawks answered with a 13-run outburst in the bottom of the frame. Urbandale went on to defeat the Hawks, 21-6, in four innings. The J-Hawks ended the game with a four-run fourth inning. Sam Harris, one of … [Read more...] about Urbandale baseball team uses 13-run 1st inning to defeat Hawks, 21-6

Alberhasky, Pratt toss back-to-back gems in Centennial’s sweep over Hawks

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team just keeps rolling along. The top-ranked Jaguars remained unbeaten by sweeping a doubleheader on Wednesday at Ankeny. They posted a 3-0 victory in the nightcap after winning the opener, 4-1. Centennial improved to 8-0 in the CIML Conference and 13-0 overall. The Jaguars have won every game by at least three … [Read more...] about Alberhasky, Pratt toss back-to-back gems in Centennial’s sweep over Hawks

‘We were a lot more ready’: Belzer, Jaguars avenge only loss, sweep Ankeny

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Shortstop Mariah Belzer and the Ankeny Centennial softball team were fired up to avenge their only loss of the season. Belzer went 4-for-4 and hit a two-run homer as the seventh-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 7-1 victory at No. 6 Ankeny in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, completing a sweep of the Hawkettes. Ankeny had posted a 6-0 win over … [Read more...] about ‘We were a lot more ready’: Belzer, Jaguars avenge only loss, sweep Ankeny

Pennington named to Class 3A all-state first team for second straight year

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Ankeny Centennial senior Alanna Pennington has been named to the Class 3A all-state first team for the second straight year by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. Pennington, a midfielder, led the Jaguars to a 10-7-1 record and a state tournament appearance. She paced her team with nine goals, seven assists and 25 points. Pennington was … [Read more...] about Pennington named to Class 3A all-state first team for second straight year

Hawks top C.R. Xavier, will take 6-game winning streak into showdown vs. Jags

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The Ankeny baseball team is heading into Wednesday's showdown against top-ranked Ankeny Centennial on a six-game winning streak. The Hawks posted a 5-1 victory in a non-conference game on Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Xavier, the No. 4 team in Class 3A. Both squads are now 9-6 on the season. "Xavier's a good team, and it's fun to go over there," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks top C.R. Xavier, will take 6-game winning streak into showdown vs. Jags

Centennial trio, Ankeny duo named to 3A West squad by Girls’ Coaches Association

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Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer standouts Cady Compton, Alanna Pennington and Averi Porter have been named to the Class 3A West all-district team along with Ankeny stars Jasmine Moser and Jenna Pitz. The five seniors were honored by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Pitz, a defender, and Moser, a goalkeeper, were the leaders of one of the state's top … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny duo named to 3A West squad by Girls’ Coaches Association

With help from Meyer, Adamson hurls Hawks to 2-1 victory over Waukee NW

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With four ranked opponents on the schedule over the next four days, the Ankeny baseball team needed to get the week off to a good start. The Hawks responded with a 2-1 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest on Monday to extend their winning streak to five games. The loss was the ninth in the last 10 games for the Wolves. "We played well enough to win, … [Read more...] about With help from Meyer, Adamson hurls Hawks to 2-1 victory over Waukee NW

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cassie Johnson, Ankeny softball

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Junior catcher and outfielder Cassie Johnson has helped lead the Ankeny softball team to a 9-2 record and a No. 6 ranking in Class 5A. She is batting .559 with 19 RBIs and ranks third among the state's leaders with six home runs. On Friday, Johnson had a pair of walk-off hits in the eighth inning as the Hawkettes swept a doubleheader against visiting … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cassie Johnson, Ankeny softball

‘It felt like a special place’: Johnson blasts two walk-off hits; Ankeny sweeps Rams

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Perhaps Dick Rasmussen was smiling from above at the end of Friday's doubleheader that was played on the softball field named after him. Sixth-ranked Ankeny got a pair of walk-off hits from Cassie Johnson to beat No. 3 Southeast Polk, 6-5 and 8-7, in a CIML Conference twinbill. Both game-winning hits came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Johnson was … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a special place’: Johnson blasts two walk-off hits; Ankeny sweeps Rams