Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Led by Kohl, No. 1 Hawks look to contend for 2nd state title in 3 years

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There's been a lot of hype surrounding the Ankeny football team the last couple of seasons. It might be time to take the hype up another notch. The Hawks are No. 1 in the Class 5A preseason rankings by The Des Moines Register. They return several standouts from last year's state runner-up squad--and have also added some talented newcomers. "It's a … [Read more...] about Led by Kohl, No. 1 Hawks look to contend for 2nd state title in 3 years

‘It was fun’: Hawkettes top Centennial to win Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational

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The Ankeny volleyball team is off to a good start. Ankeny Centennial has plenty of reasons to be optimistic, too. Both squads opened their season on Tuesday by competing in the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Fifth-ranked Ankeny won the round-robin tournament with a 4-0 record, while No. 11 Centennial took second with a 3-1 mark. "It’s always … [Read more...] about ‘It was fun’: Hawkettes top Centennial to win Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational

‘Ankeny has lost a true champion of girls’ athletics’: Dickey passes away at 63

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Toni Dickey was much more than a coach to the golfers who played for her. Dickey, the longtime coach of the Ankeny girls' golf team, died on Monday at the age of 63. "Coach Dickey was exactly the coach I needed in high school," said Abbi (Sunner) Rickelman, a former standout for the Hawkettes. "She knew what we all needed. That was to not just be … [Read more...] about ‘Ankeny has lost a true champion of girls’ athletics’: Dickey passes away at 63

Hawkettes’ new head coach ‘blown away’ by team’s progress in preseason

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When Dave Whims retired as the Ankeny volleyball coach, he left behind a talented roster. New head coach Dani Kohut Lynch inherits a team that boasts five returning varsity regulars, led by junior outside hitter Aowyn Schrader. Also back are senior setter Jesa Wallace, senior middle hitter Myra Carlson, senior outside hitter Hannah Baier and junior … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ new head coach ‘blown away’ by team’s progress in preseason

‘I think we could have done better’: Hawks fall short in opener against SEP

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On a near perfect day for golf, the Ankeny boys' team opened its season on Thursday with a 299-302 loss to visiting Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference dual meet at Otter Creek. The Hawks posted five scores in the 70s, but it wasn't good enough to knock off Southeast Polk, which was coming off a victory in the Jesse Peck Invitational on Monday at … [Read more...] about ‘I think we could have done better’: Hawks fall short in opener against SEP

Ankeny girls’ cross country team looks to build on success of last year’s squad

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Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, the Ankeny girls' cross country team is setting some high expectations once again. The Hawkettes placed sixth in last year's Class 4A state meet with 166 points. It was the second-best performance in program history, surpassed only by a fifth-place finish in 1988. Now, Ankeny could be poised for … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ cross country team looks to build on success of last year’s squad

‘We have a really strong nucleus coming back’: Hawks return 4 varsity regulars

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Last year, the Ankeny boys' cross country team entered the Class 4A state meet with a goal of a top-10 finish. The Hawks came up short of their goal, placing 13th with 299 points. However, they did finish eight points ahead of crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, defeating the Jaguars for the fourth time in their seven meetings in 2021. Now, Ankeny could … [Read more...] about ‘We have a really strong nucleus coming back’: Hawks return 4 varsity regulars

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avin Legg, Ankeny boys’ golf

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Senior Avin Legg helped the Ankeny boys' golf team to a 3-3 dual record last year. He placed second among the Hawks with a 41.3 average. Legg shot a 78 to place 12th at the Indianola Invitational. He helped his team to a third-place finish at the tournament. The Hawks will host Southeast Polk in their season opener on Thursday at Otter Creek. Here … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avin Legg, Ankeny boys’ golf

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)

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Ankeny's success on the football field didn't begin with coach Jerry Pezzetti's arrival in 1969. In the previous four decades, Ankeny racked up 11 undefeated seasons, including five in a row from 1933-37 that resulted in a 44-game winning streak. The Hawks also went unbeaten in 1943, 1946, 1950, 1957, 1959 and 1961. Unlike today, most of the stars of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)

‘I hope we can get over that hump’: Ankeny golfers look to qualify for state

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After a tremendous two-year run, the Ankeny boys' golf team took a step backwards last season. Now, the Hawks could be poised for another huge campaign in 2022. Several varsity regulars are back from a team that posted a 3-3 record last year in the Hawks' final season in the CIML Iowa Conference. Ankeny is now a member of the nine-team CIML … [Read more...] about ‘I hope we can get over that hump’: Ankeny golfers look to qualify for state

Ankeny’s Fulk changes her mind, will now play softball at Indian Hills

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It turns out that Eva Fulk's softball career isn't over after all. Fulk, who had earlier committed to join the Northern Iowa women's track and field program, has now decided to play softball in college. The Ankeny High School graduate will play for Indian Hills Community College. Indian Hills announced the addition of Fulk to its 2022 recruiting class … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk changes her mind, will now play softball at Indian Hills

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny football

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Senior quarterback JJ Kohl of the Ankeny football team is considered one of the nation's top recruits in the Class of 2023. A four-star prospect, he is now the No. 5 quarterback and No. 36 overall nationally in the latest rankings by On3 Recruits. Kohl, an Under Armour All-American, helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record last season. He completed 143-of-237 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny football

Centennial’s Churchman named to IHSBCA’s All-State “Super Team”

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The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association has announced its all-state teams. Five Ankeny Centennial players were honored, including junior second baseman Damin Churchman, who was one of 16 players named to the 2022 All-State "Super Team". Joey Oakie, Kyle Miller, Nick Severson and Cole Grider also earned all-state honors for the Jaguars, while … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Churchman named to IHSBCA’s All-State “Super Team”

Centennial quartet earns all-state honors along with Ankeny, ACA duos

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Four players from Ankeny Centennial and two each from Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy have received all-state honors from IAbaseball. Centennial sophomore Joey Oakie was named to the Class 4A first team as a utility player. He went 3-3 with a 1.92 ERA as a pitcher while batting .347 with one home run and 21 RBIs. Ankeny placed a pair of players on … [Read more...] about Centennial quartet earns all-state honors along with Ankeny, ACA duos

Ankeny’s Jackson commits to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato

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Ankeny defensive end Diego Jackson has verbally committed to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato. Jackson announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "I'm excited to announce my commitment to @MinnStFootball!" Jackson tweeted. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior-to-be helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a second-place finish in Class 5A last … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Jackson commits to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato

Ankeny’s Fulk named to Class 5A all-state first team by Coaches Association

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Ankeny graduate Eva Fulk is about to begin her collegiate track career at the University of Northern Iowa. Her high school softball career didn't end, however, without one more postseason honor. The senior outfielder has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Five other players from Ankeny and Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk named to Class 5A all-state first team by Coaches Association

‘It instantly felt like home’: Lowe commits to play softball at Northern State

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Alysa Lowe's search for a college softball program didn't last long. Ankeny's junior third baseman verbally committed on Monday to play for Northern State, beginning in the fall of 2023. She announced her decision on Twitter. "I had attended a couple softball camps and just started my college search when I came across Northern State," Lowe said later. … [Read more...] about ‘It instantly felt like home’: Lowe commits to play softball at Northern State