Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals

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The expectations have been raised for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program. Ankeny advanced eight wrestlers to the state tournament in its inaugural season and graduated just one of those qualifiers. The team has also added a pair of talented newcomers in freshman Hayden Bratland and junior Haylee McGrew, who both won matches over the second-ranked girls … [Read more...] about ‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals

Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

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Several volleyball players from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have received postseason honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and the coaches in the CIML Conference. Centennial standouts Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt were both selected to the Class 5A all-state first team by the IGCA. The junior outside hitters led the Jaguars to a 31-7 record … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Mohrfeld, Ankeny football

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Senior defensive back Jacob Mohrfeld made four tackles, blocked a field goal and intercepted a pass to help the Ankeny football team to a 10-7 victory over Ankeny Centennial in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday at the UNI-Dome. For the season, Mohrfeld has racked up 36.5 tackles for the 9-3 Hawks, including 28 solo stops. He has recorded six … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Mohrfeld, Ankeny football

Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish

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In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes. It might be time to add a top-10 finish for the Ankeny girls' swimming team to that famous quote by Benjamin Franklin. Ankeny placed ninth in the state meet on Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA with 105 points. It was the team's 10th consecutive top-10 finish and its first under coach Dustin … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish

‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title

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Ankeny's Jacob Mohrfeld couldn't believe what had just happened at the UNI-Dome. "It doesn't feel real," Mohrfeld said. "I can't believe it, man. It's crazy." The senior defensive back blocked a field goal and had one of his team's three interceptions as the Hawks knocked off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, 10-7, in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday … [Read more...] about ‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title

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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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(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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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(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