Ankeny swimmer Lance Swanepoel watched his former teammate, Trent Frandson, win multiple state titles in 2020 and 2021. He was determined to win a championship of his own. On Saturday, Swanepoel accomplished his goal at the University of Iowa Aquatics Center. The junior won the 100 butterfly at the boys' state meet in a time of 48.22 seconds, earning … [Read more...] about State champ Swanepoel, Schwebach lead Hawk swimmers to 7th-place finish
Hawks
STATE CHAMP: Swanepoel cruises to butterfly title, earns all-American honors
Lance Swanepoel wasn't able to match the time drops he posted on Friday at the boys' state swim meet. The Ankeny junior was still fast enough to become a state champion. Swanepoel won the 100 butterfly on Saturday in 48.22 seconds, earning automatic all-American honors. He finished .66 seconds ahead of runner-up Carter Anderson of Bettendorf. On … [Read more...] about STATE CHAMP: Swanepoel cruises to butterfly title, earns all-American honors
‘I know I can hit that shot’: Aguirre’s OT buzzer-beater lifts Ankeny past Jaguars
Ankeny's Lio Aguirre hadn't make a basket all night. He couldn't have picked a better time to sink his only shot. Aguirre made a jumper at the buzzer to give the sixth-ranked Hawks an 81-79 overtime victory against visiting Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The sophomore forward had missed a shot in the waning seconds of Tuesday's game at Des Moines Hoover, … [Read more...] about ‘I know I can hit that shot’: Aguirre’s OT buzzer-beater lifts Ankeny past Jaguars
AN HISTORIC WIN: Hawkettes rally past Centennial, defeat rival for first time
It took nearly a decade for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to finally defeat its crosstown rival. When it finally happened on Friday night, the 12th-ranked Hawkettes also captured a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title. The Ankeny players doused coach Dru McAnelly with Gatorade in the locker room after the host Hawkettes rallied past No. 2 Ankeny … [Read more...] about AN HISTORIC WIN: Hawkettes rally past Centennial, defeat rival for first time
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny junior
https://www.facebook.com/AnkenyFanatic/videos/477862960520210/ … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny junior
Swanepoel smashes own school record in 100 butterfly during state meet prelims
Ankeny's Lance Swanepoel broke his own school record in the 100 butterfly during the preliminaries of the boys' state swim meet on Friday at the University of Iowa Aquatic Center. Swanepoel posted a time of 48.20 to smash his previous record by more than a second. He was the fastest qualifier for Saturday's 'A' final in the event. Teammate Owen … [Read more...] about Swanepoel smashes own school record in 100 butterfly during state meet prelims
Ankeny’s Cornwell signs letter of intent to play football at Colgate University
Ankeny defensive back Will Cornwell was among the state's leaders in interceptions last season. Plenty of college football coaches recognized Cornwell's play-making ability. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior has signed a letter of intent to play for Colgate University, a Division I school located in Hamilton, N.Y. The Raiders are members of the Patriot … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Cornwell signs letter of intent to play football at Colgate University
Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk rematches on basketball court
A month ago, the Jag-Hawk basketball doubleheader produced a pair of games that weren't as close as many people expected them to be. The Ankeny Centennial girls' team built an 11-point halftime lead and cruised to a 57-37 victory over the Hawkettes. Then, in the boys' game, Ankeny allowed just 10 points in the first half and rolled to a 58-48 win over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk rematches on basketball court
Hawk bowlers place 3rd at conference meet; Depleted Hawkettes finish 4th
The Ankeny boys' bowling team rolled a season-high score of 2,664 en route to a third-place finish in the CIML Iowa Conference meet on Thursday at Wayward Social in Marshalltown. The Hawks finished 37 pins ahead of Mason City, which had defeated Ankeny by nearly 300 pins earlier this season. Marshalltown won the four-team meet with a 3,054 total, … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers place 3rd at conference meet; Depleted Hawkettes finish 4th
ON TO STATE: Hawk matmen qualify for duals tournament for first time since 2013
The Ankeny wrestling program has made tremendous strides under coach Jack Wignall in the last few years. The Hawks placed fifth in the Class 3A state tournament last season. It was their highest finish under Wignall, who took over the program in 2013. There was one goal, however, that Ankeny had yet to reach under Wignall. The Hawks had never qualified … [Read more...] about ON TO STATE: Hawk matmen qualify for duals tournament for first time since 2013
Hawks advance to state duals tourney; Jaguars ousted by Waukee Northwest
The Ankeny wrestling team is headed to the state duals tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools. The Hawks, who are fourth in the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association Class 3A dual team rankings, posted a 39-25 victory over No. 19 Urbandale in a regional final on Wednesday at Ankeny. They raised their record to 16-2 on the … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to state duals tourney; Jaguars ousted by Waukee Northwest
Centennial earns No. 1 seed in Region 2; Hawkettes are No. 2 seed in Region 3
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to have a favorable path to the Class 5A state tournament. The road to Wells Fargo Arena looks more daunting for crosstown rival Ankeny. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its Class 5A postseason pairings on Wednesday. Third-ranked Centennial is the No. 1 seed in Region 2, while No. … [Read more...] about Centennial earns No. 1 seed in Region 2; Hawkettes are No. 2 seed in Region 3
‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater
An unlikely hero emerged for the Des Moines Hoover boys' basketball team on Tuesday. Senior Justin Imani, a 5-foot 7 guard, scored the winning basket at the buzzer to give the host Huskies a 53-51 overtime victory against sixth-ranked Ankeny in a non-conference game. The Hawks (14-4) lost to an unranked opponent for the first time. Their other losses … [Read more...] about ‘It was the craziest deal’: Hoover stuns Hawks on Imani’s OT buzzer-beater
Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2
The sixth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 1 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, while No. 10 Ankeny Centennial is the No. 2 seed in Substate 2. Both teams will receive a first-round bye before hosting a semifinal game on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Ankeny (14-4) will host the winner of a … [Read more...] about Hawks earn No. 1 seed in Substate 1; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Substate 2
‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points
The Class 5A regional girls' basketball pairings are expected to be announced in the next couple of days. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly is probably hoping not to see top-ranked Johnston in the Hawkettes' bracket. The host Dragons improved their record to 19-0 with a 79-49 victory over No. 12 Ankeny in a non-conference game on Monday. Only one opponent, No. … [Read more...] about ‘They’re in a different league’: Dragons roll past Ankeny despite Jacks’ 21 points
Hawk swimmers place 2nd at district meet, qualify for state in every event
For the first time in five years, the Ankeny boys' swimming team didn't win the district title. The eighth-ranked Hawks placed second in Saturday's district meet at Southeast Polk with 435 points. No. 6 Valley won eight of the 11 events and captured the overall crown with 512 points. Still, Ankeny qualified for next week's state meet in every … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers place 2nd at district meet, qualify for state in every event
‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team posted a 70-56 win at Mason City on Jan. 7, the Hawks didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Friday's rematch between the two squads at Ankeny was decided well before then. The sixth-ranked Hawks held a 37-21 lead at halftime, then outscored Mason City in the third quarter, 24-10, to build a 61-31 advantage. … [Read more...] about ‘We’re moving in the right direction’: AHS boys rout Mason City, improve to 14-3
Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City
There was a lot at stake when the Ankeny girls' basketball team played at Ankeny Centennial last month. Now, Friday's rematch at Ankeny will carry even more importance. The 12th-ranked Hawkettes kept their CIML Iowa Conference title hopes alive with a 61-40 victory over visiting Mason City on Friday. They can earn a share of the crown by defeating No. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn shot to play for league crown with victory over Mason City
Hawk bowlers edge Roosevelt; Ankeny girls post season-high score in loss
The Ankeny bowling teams traveled to Air Lanes Bowling Center on Tuesday for their final dual meet of the season and came away with a split. The Hawks defeated host Des Moines Roosevelt by a score of 2,433 to 2,373 in the non-conference matchup. The Roughriders won the girls' meet by a score of 1,744 to 1,517, even though the Hawkettes posted a … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Roosevelt; Ankeny girls post season-high score in loss
Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois
Ryan Crandall has decided to wear different shades of purple and gold. After earlier committing to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato, the Ankeny defensive back has signed a letter of intent to play for Western Illinois next year. "It was a hard decision, but it's always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level I can possibly play at," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois