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Hawks

Rusher, Winfrey lead Hawkettes past Davis County, Estherville Lincoln Central

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Junior Abby Rusher and senior Kendra Winfrey have handled most of the pitching duties this season for the Ankeny softball team. On Friday in the Brent Prange Classic, the duo combined for a pair of shutouts while also going 7-for-13 at the plate with five RBIs. "I like splitting games," said Rusher. "It helps keep the opponent on their toes. Me and … [Read more...] about Rusher, Winfrey lead Hawkettes past Davis County, Estherville Lincoln Central

Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year

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Ankeny boys' swimming star Lance Swanepoel has earned all-American honors in the 100 butterfly for the fourth consecutive year. Swanepoel was named an all-American in four events by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. The Wisconsin recruit was an 11-time all-American in his high school career. Swanepoel ranked fifth nationally in … [Read more...] about Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year

Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play

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The Class 5A regional softball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Both top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Ankeny earned No. 1 seeds in their respective regions. The Jaguars (22-4) will host Des Moines East (6-26) or Des Moines North (0-17) in a Region 4 semifinal on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Ames (19-13) will … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play

Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson

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When the Class 4A substate baseball pairings are announced next week, fourth-ranked Southeast Polk will be among the CIML Conference teams that could earn a No. 1 seed. But even if that happens, the Rams likely won't want to see Ankeny in their bracket. The Hawks got a brilliant pitching performance from sophomore Zach Halverson and posted a 5-1 … [Read more...] about Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson

‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge

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One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 7-3 decision in a non-conference game on Wednesday at Fort Dodge, the No. 3 team in Class 4A. The Dodgers scored all seven of their runs in the sixth inning to erase a 2-0 deficit. Ankeny committed five errors in the loss, leading to four unearned … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge

Sandvig sets school record for HBPs, helps Hawks earn split at Linn-Mar

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Senior Ben Sandvig is more than willing to wear a pitch for the Ankeny baseball team. Sandvig was hit by a pair of pitches and scored two runs to help the Hawks to a 5-3 victory at Linn-Mar (Marion) in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday. He has now been plunked 17 times this season, breaking the school record of 15 that was … [Read more...] about Sandvig sets school record for HBPs, helps Hawks earn split at Linn-Mar

Ankeny girls’ track coach Jumper named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A

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Ankeny girls' track coach T.J. Jumper has been named an At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A. Jumper guided Ankeny to a fifth-place finish in last month's state meet at Drake Stadium. The Hawkettes finished with 50 points. Ankeny trailed eventual champion Waukee Northwest by a single point heading into the final day of the meet. "As a team, you … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ track coach Jumper named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A

Ankeny boys’ track coach Mullen named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A

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Ankeny boys' track coach Jordan Mullen has been named an At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A after leading the Hawks to a runner-up finish at the state meet in his first season at the school. Ankeny battled CIML Conference rival Johnston down to the wire before the Dragons captured the Class 4A crown with 84 points. The Hawks finished with 80 … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ track coach Mullen named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A

Hawks top Johnston on walk-off single in 9th inning; Dragons sweep next 2 games

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It's going to be a long week for the Ankeny baseball team. Monday's trip to Johnston was just the beginning of a six-day stretch where the Hawks will play nearly every day. Ankeny posted a 3-2 victory in nine innings in the completion of a game that was suspended due to rain on May 30. The third-ranked Dragons then followed with a pair of victories, … [Read more...] about Hawks top Johnston on walk-off single in 9th inning; Dragons sweep next 2 games

Dickey inducted into Iowa High School Golf Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame

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The late Toni Dickey was one of several coaches inducted into the Iowa High School Golf Coaches' Association Hall of Fame on Monday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. Dickey, who passed away last August at the age of 63, coached the Ankeny girls' golf team for 31 years before retiring after the 2017 season. She compiled a record of 1,114-590 during her … [Read more...] about Dickey inducted into Iowa High School Golf Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame

‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas

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Ankeny girls' basketball standout Savannah Gage has had more time to consider her college options while she recovers from an ACL Injury. On Saturday, the junior-to-be announced her verbal commitment to the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities. "I had several different opportunities to play at the Division I level, and I am grateful for each and … [Read more...] about ‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas

Hawkettes advance to title game of Fort Dodge Invite before getting rained out

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The only thing that could slow down the Ankeny softball team on Saturday was an untimely visit from Mother Nature. The second-ranked Hawkettes advanced to the championship game of the Fort Dodge Invitational before the tournament was called off due to rain. "We played our best softball of the year," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "The culture is so … [Read more...] about Hawkettes advance to title game of Fort Dodge Invite before getting rained out

Gerstel closes out Hawks’ victory over Waukee in first game of twinbill split

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At the end of another long week, the Ankeny baseball team needed somebody to eat some innings on the mound. Travis Gerstel answered the call. The sophomore righthander made his varsity debut on Thursday, tossing three scoreless innings to close out the Hawks' 6-3 victory over visiting Waukee in the first game of a doubleheader. "Warming up in the … [Read more...] about Gerstel closes out Hawks’ victory over Waukee in first game of twinbill split

Warriors snap Ankeny’s winning streak; Hawkettes take nightcap to earn split

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The Ankeny softball team used a five-run fifth inning to post a 5-0 victory over visiting Waukee in the second game of a doubleheader on Thursday, allowing the second-ranked Hawkettes to salvage a split of the twinbill. The Warriors snapped Ankeny's seven-game winning streak with a 3-0 triumph in the opener. The Hawkettes were held scoreless for the first … [Read more...] about Warriors snap Ankeny’s winning streak; Hawkettes take nightcap to earn split

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