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Hawks

‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory

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A few weeks ago, the Ankeny football team defeated Valley in the Class 5A semifinals to earn the right to play for a state championship. On Tuesday, the Hawks waged another epic battle against their CIML rival--this time on the basketball court. Ryan Crandall, who had a team-high 6.5 tackles in Ankeny's win over the Tigers at the UNI-Dome, scored 19 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory

Anderson captures Donnybrook crown, leads Hawk wrestlers to 11th-place finish

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall wanted to challenge his team by entering the Dan Gable Donnybook. The 33-team tournament, which was held on Friday and Saturday at the Coralville XTREAM Arena, featured many of the top wrestlers across the Midwest. Ankeny's Trever Anderson showed that he belongs in that elite group with a dominating performance. … [Read more...] about Anderson captures Donnybrook crown, leads Hawk wrestlers to 11th-place finish

Hawk swimmers place 2nd at Wittmer Invite, will see Ames again on Thursday

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team earned a second-place finish in the Mike Wittmer Invitational on Saturday at Ames. The host Little Cyclones easily won the six-team meet with 423.5 points. The Hawks racked up 324.5 points, while Johnston placed third with 236. Owen Schwebach was Ankeny's top finisher on the day. He won the 50 freestyle in a time of 22.33 … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers place 2nd at Wittmer Invite, will see Ames again on Thursday

Ankeny boys battle Little Cyclones down to the wire before Lipsey takes over

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The Ankeny boys' basketball program doesn't play for moral victories. But if ever a game qualified as one, Friday's season-opening loss at Ames would probably be it. The Little Cyclones, one of the favorites to win the Class 4A state title, held off a furious Ankeny rally in the second half to post a 54-44 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference game. "It … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys battle Little Cyclones down to the wire before Lipsey takes over

Ankeny’s Miller chooses Iowa ‘to help make me a better athlete and student’

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Ankeny sprinter Tyrese Miller burst onto the scene earlier this year at the Drake Relays. His performances there--as well as at the state meet the next month--attracted the interest of various college coaches. On Friday, Miller verbally committed to join Iowa's track and field program. "It was really a hard decision," he said. "But Iowa recently … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Miller chooses Iowa ‘to help make me a better athlete and student’

Hawkettes pick up the pace, force 33 turnovers in lopsided win at Ames

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The Ames girls' basketball team lost its first three games by an average margin of 65 points. A matchup against visiting Ankeny on Friday wasn't the breather that the Little Cyclones needed. The Hawkettes had 25 steals while forcing 33 turnovers and rolled to a 65-12 victory in their CIML Iowa Conference opener. They used a full-court press to turn the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes pick up the pace, force 33 turnovers in lopsided win at Ames

Anderson earns 100th career victory, reaches semifinals at Gable Donnybrook

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Ankeny's Trever Anderson won all three of his matches in the Dan Gable Donnybrook on Friday at Coralville, allowing him to advance to Saturday's semifinals and to reach the 100-victory mark in his prep wrestling career. Anderson, a two-time state champion, was the lone Hawk to go unbeaten on Friday. He is ranked second in Class 3A at 126 pounds, but is … [Read more...] about Anderson earns 100th career victory, reaches semifinals at Gable Donnybrook

‘It was a tough day for both teams’: Ankeny bowlers tumble to Ottumwa

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The Ankeny bowling teams ran into a tough opponent on Thursday. It didn't help that Ottumwa was bowling on its home lanes at Champion Bowl. The Bulldogs easily defeated Ankeny in both the boys' and girls' meets. The Hawks are now 1-1 on the season, while the Hawkettes fell to 0-2. "It was a tough day for both teams," said Ankeny coach Lane … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough day for both teams’: Ankeny bowlers tumble to Ottumwa

Hawk wrestlers win final 6 matches to post 43-29 victory over Valley in opener

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Trever Anderson has waited more than nine months to get back onto the wrestling mat. Now, he'll have to wait a few more hours. The two-time state champion won his first match of the season on Thursday via a forfeit as the seventh-ranked Ankeny wrestling team rallied from a 29-10 deficit to defeat visiting Valley, 43-29, in a non-conference dual … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers win final 6 matches to post 43-29 victory over Valley in opener

‘Hungry’ Hawk swimmers roll to victory at Roosevelt despite Swanepoel’s absence

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Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch feels a lot better about his team following the Hawks' 139-31 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference dual meet on Tuesday. Ankeny won all 11 events and swept the top three places in seven of the eight individual races. "Going into this meet, I knew we had a lot of guys competing for varsity spots," … [Read more...] about ‘Hungry’ Hawk swimmers roll to victory at Roosevelt despite Swanepoel’s absence

Two-time champ Anderson among 8 returning state qualifiers for Hawks

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Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson has a chance to make some history this season. The senior could become the first three-time state champion ever produced by the city of Ankeny. "His goal was to be committed before the season started, and he did that by signing with (coach) Doug Schwab and the Northern Iowa Panthers," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. … [Read more...] about Two-time champ Anderson among 8 returning state qualifiers for Hawks

Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals

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Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl is now listed as a four-star recruit on Rivals. Kohl, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior, is ranked No. 223 nationally in the Class of 2023. He is the No. 5 prospect in the state of Iowa and No. 14 nationally at his position. Kohl helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A this season. He completed … [Read more...] about Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals

FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North

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Jadyn Filling didn't hesitate when she had an open look at the basket. The senior guard drained a huge 3-point goal with 3 minutes 32 seconds left, sparking a late 11-2 run that lifted the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 44-40 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Monday. "I was struggling with confidence coming into this game, but I really feel … [Read more...] about FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North

Ankeny’s Foels chooses soccer over volleyball, will play for Loras College

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Ankeny senior Maddie Foels is a strong defender on the soccer field and on the volleyball court. She could have elected to play either sport at the collegiate level, but she decided that her future was on the pitch. Foels has verbally committed to play soccer for Loras College. She announced her decision via Twitter on Sunday. "I'm beyond excited to … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Foels chooses soccer over volleyball, will play for Loras College

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Junior guard Jenna Pitz is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team as a sophomore, when she averaged 9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Pitz scored 12 points and had two steals in Ankeny's 59-45 loss to fifth-ranked Southeast Polk in its season opener on Tuesday. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign

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There won't be any break for Ankeny football standouts Ryan Crandall, JJ Kohl and Braden Simonsen. After helping the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A playoffs on the gridiron earlier this month, the trio has made a quick transition to the basketball court. The Ankeny boys' squad will open its season on Friday with a difficult road test at Ames, … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign

Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup

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The Ankeny bowling teams opened the season on Tuesday by splitting a matchup against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. The Ankeny boys' squad edged the Maroons by a score of 2,328 to 2,289. Dowling won the girls' contest by a score of 1,865 to 1,435. "It was a hard-fought victory for the boys' team as it came down (the last three) frames of … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup

Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes

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A few days ago, Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly said he thought he could have a pretty good basketball team by mid-January. If Tuesday's season opener against fifth-ranked Southeast Polk was any indication, it's not going to take that long. Ankeny battled the visiting Rams on even terms for much of the game before Southeast Polk pulled away … [Read more...] about Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes