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Dowling Catholic hurlers shut down Hawks while posting 9-1 and 8-0 wins

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With a showdown against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial on tap for Thursday, the Ankeny baseball players can quickly put Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Dowling Catholic behind them. The second-ranked Maroons dominated the non-conference twinbill, rolling to 9-1 and 8-0 victories. They improved to 8-2 on the season, while Ankeny's record … [Read more...] about Dowling Catholic hurlers shut down Hawks while posting 9-1 and 8-0 wins

‘Slap Squad’ ignites Hawkettes to doubleheader sweep over Mason City

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The first three batters in the Ankeny softball team's lineup are all slap hitters. Ankeny coach Dave Bingham calls them "The Slap Squad". That trio of Larissa Miller, Eva Fulk and Mariah Parton ignited the Hawkettes to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Mason City on Tuesday. They combined for seven hits, six runs scored and six RBIs in the first … [Read more...] about ‘Slap Squad’ ignites Hawkettes to doubleheader sweep over Mason City

Hawks pound out 21 hits en route to pair of run-rule victories over Mason City

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The Ankeny baseball team pounded out 21 hits and swept a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader against visiting Mason City on Tuesday. The Hawks posted an 11-1 victory in six innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 15-5 triumph in five innings. They improved to 3-1 in the conference and 4-3 overall, while Mason City's records dropped to 1-3 and … [Read more...] about Hawks pound out 21 hits en route to pair of run-rule victories over Mason City

Matthews scores winning goal, then gets sweaty hugs as Hawkettes advance

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Most people don't like sweaty hugs. Ankeny senior Avery Matthews doesn't seem to mind them, though. Matthews scored the game's only goal in the 76th minute and the third-ranked Hawkettes defeated No. 7 Pleasant Valley, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the girls' Class 3A state soccer tournament on Tuesday at Cownie Park. "It was incredible," Matthews … [Read more...] about Matthews scores winning goal, then gets sweaty hugs as Hawkettes advance

Patton homers, Dunwoody racks up 8 strikeouts in Hawks’ 4-2 loss at Johnston

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A three-run first inning lifted the top-ranked Johnston baseball team to a 4-2 victory over visiting Ankeny on Friday, allowing the Dragons to improve to 9-0 on the season. The non-conference game was a rematch of last year's Class 4A semifinal, which was won by Johnston, 5-0. The Hawks (2-3) were held to five hits by a trio of Johnston pitchers. … [Read more...] about Patton homers, Dunwoody racks up 8 strikeouts in Hawks’ 4-2 loss at Johnston

Smith places 4th in Class 2A, equaling highest finish ever by player from Ankeny

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Ankeny's Kira Smith will likely have three more chances to win a girls' state tennis title. And next time, Dowling Catholic's Allison Szalay won't be in her way. Smith's bid for the Class 2A singles crown came to an end on Saturday morning, when the fourth-seeded freshman dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision to the top-seeded and defending champion Szalay in … [Read more...] about Smith places 4th in Class 2A, equaling highest finish ever by player from Ankeny

‘We made a nice jump’: Hawkettes score 4 runs in 7th to seal 7-2 win at Carlisle

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The Ankeny softball team used a four-run seventh inning to seal a 7-2 victory at Carlisle in a non-conference game on Friday. The Hawkettes improved their record to 1-2 after losing both ends of a doubleheader at fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Monday. It was the season opener for Carlisle, the No. 9 team in Class 4A. "Carlisle and Northwest are very … [Read more...] about ‘We made a nice jump’: Hawkettes score 4 runs in 7th to seal 7-2 win at Carlisle

NO ORDINARY SMITH: Ankeny freshman advances to Class 2A singles semifinals

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A dramatic rally allowed Ankeny freshman Kira Smith to advance to the semifinals of the Class 2A singles bracket in the girls' state tennis tournament on Friday at Waukee Northwest. The fourth-seeded Smith won the final four games in the third set to post a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Sasha Hyacinth of Waterloo West in the quarterfinals. She raised her … [Read more...] about NO ORDINARY SMITH: Ankeny freshman advances to Class 2A singles semifinals

‘The girls were fantastic’: Hawkettes top Cedar Falls, earn 5th straight trip to state

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Kennedy Macke grabbed the state qualifier banner from Ankeny Activities Director Andy Umthun and held it high above her head as her Ankeny girls' soccer teammates screamed with joy. The ultimate prize that Macke wants, though, is the Class 3A championship trophy. "With being on the wrong side of the final last year, there's no lack of motivation in … [Read more...] about ‘The girls were fantastic’: Hawkettes top Cedar Falls, earn 5th straight trip to state

‘We still have lots of work to do’: Hawks earn trip to state, will face Waukee NW

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Lucas Newhard joined the Ankeny boys' soccer team this season with the hope of qualifying for the state tournament. Newhard accomplished his goal on Wednesday night. The senior forward scored two goals to lead the top-ranked Hawks to a 3-0 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a Class 3A substate final. "It’s an amazing feeling to go to state," … [Read more...] about ‘We still have lots of work to do’: Hawks earn trip to state, will face Waukee NW

‘It was just a scrappy game’: Harrington scores twice, leads Ankeny to 5-0 win

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The Waterloo Schools girls' soccer team was determined not to give up any goals on Tuesday night. A torrential rain made it even more difficult for third-ranked Ankeny to find the net in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Ankeny. Eventually, though, the Hawkettes solved Waterloo's strategy and posted a 5-0 victory. "The weather was a nightmare for … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a scrappy game’: Harrington scores twice, leads Ankeny to 5-0 win

‘Our guys were gritty’: Hawks outlast Waukee NW in 9 innings, salvage split

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The Ankeny baseball team used a late rally to post a 13-8 victory in nine innings on Monday at sixth-ranked Waukee Northwest, allowing the Hawks to salvage a split of the CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader. Ankeny scored three runs in the seventh to tie the game at 6-6 and force extra innings. After both teams scored twice in the eighth, the Hawks erupted … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys were gritty’: Hawks outlast Waukee NW in 9 innings, salvage split

Hawkettes waste 2-hitter by Billings, drop both games of twinbill at Waukee NW

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After losing both games of a season-opening doubleheader at fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Monday, the Ankeny softball team will have a few days to regroup. The Hawkettes--who won't play again until Friday at Carlisle--dropped a 2-0 decision in the opener. Waukee Northwest then completed a sweep of the CIML Iowa Conference twinbill with a 5-3 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes waste 2-hitter by Billings, drop both games of twinbill at Waukee NW

Newhard, Hawks top Sioux City North, will host Sioux City East in substate final

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When your team is ranked No. 1 in the state, you don't have to worry as much about your opponents. "We want to make sure that we're dictating play," said Marcus Varnum, the coach of the top-ranked Ankeny boys' soccer team. "We want to play our style and make sure that we're controlling the game. We feel like we can go into any game and play our style. We … [Read more...] about Newhard, Hawks top Sioux City North, will host Sioux City East in substate final

THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85

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The community of Ankeny has lost one of its most prominent citizens. Dick Rasmussen, the legendary softball and girls' basketball coach at Ankeny High School, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "I will miss him," said current Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham. "I love him and (his wife) Sue." Rasmussen coached at South Hamilton … [Read more...] about THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kendra Winfrey, Ankeny girls’ track/softball

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Ankeny junior Kendra Winfrey placed second in the shot put on Friday in the girls' Class 4A state track meet at Drake Stadium. She uncorked a throw of 39 feet 11 inches on her final attempt, allowing her to move up from fourth place. Winfrey helped Ankeny to a seventh-place finish overall. She contributed eight of the Hawkettes' 44.5 points. Winfrey is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kendra Winfrey, Ankeny girls’ track/softball

Ankeny boys race to sprint medley relay crown, place 3rd overall in Class 4A

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The strategy for the Ankeny boys' sprint medley relay team was simple. Get the baton to anchor runner Tyrese Miller--the Class 4A 400-meter champion--within striking distance of the lead, and let him do the rest. It turned out that Miller didn't need to make up any ground after all. His teammates--Jack Belding, Tyler Sickerson and Tyson … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys race to sprint medley relay crown, place 3rd overall in Class 4A

Runner-up finishes in 4×400 relay, 800 allow Hawkettes to place 7th in Class 4A

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Ankeny senior Eva Fulk sat on the infield turf at Drake Stadium and tried to catch her breath after running the final race of her high school career. Fulk helped the Hawkettes to a second-place finish in the final event of the Class 4A state meet--the 4x400 relay--on Saturday afternoon. "It's sad, but I wouldn't have wanted to do it with any other … [Read more...] about Runner-up finishes in 4×400 relay, 800 allow Hawkettes to place 7th in Class 4A