When he crossed the finish line at Drake Stadium on Saturday, Ankeny senior Mason Thompson wasn't sure if he had won a Class 4A state title in the 110 hurdles. Nobody else was sure, either. Thompson and the hurdler to his immediate right, Adam Wright of Dowling Catholic, leaned across the finish line simultaneously. "It was either mine or his," … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was really close’: State hurdles title eludes Thompson by .004 seconds
Boys' Track
‘We got points on the board, and we’ll get some more’: Jaguars take 2nd in 4×200
The goal of a top-five finish in the Class 4A state meet remains well within reach for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. The Jaguars picked up points in two more events on Friday and are currently tied with three other teams for seventh place with 18 points. Ankeny is tied with three other squads for 13th place with eight points. Cedar Falls has … [Read more...] about ‘We got points on the board, and we’ll get some more’: Jaguars take 2nd in 4×200
‘We’re just happy to be here’: Collins takes 2nd, Miller places 3rd in boys’ 400
The rainy conditions at Drake Stadium didn't seem to bother Ankeny Centennial's Tommy Collins or Ankeny's Tyrese Miller on Thursday. Collins raced to a second-place finish in the 400 on the opening day of the boys' Class 4A state track meet. He posted a time of 48.70 seconds, which set a school record. "We all had to run in (the rain). It wasn't just … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just happy to be here’: Collins takes 2nd, Miller places 3rd in boys’ 400
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 137
Track standouts Tyler Johnson and Kathryn Vortherms of Ankeny Centennial joined Ankeny stars Lauren McMahon and Mason Thompson as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 137
The wait is worth it: Ankeny boys qualify for state meet in 10 events
After placing fourth in a Class 4A district meet on Thursday at Waukee, the Ankeny boys' track team had to patiently wait to find out the Hawks' total number of state qualifiers. Ankeny automatically qualified for the state meet in just four events, but found out Friday that it had qualified in six more on a time or distance basis. "The kids did … [Read more...] about The wait is worth it: Ankeny boys qualify for state meet in 10 events
‘We just want to go out and run fast’: Jaguars race to first conference title
There wasn't much of a battle for the CIML Iowa Conference boys' track title. Ankeny Centennial easily captured its first league crown in school history on Tuesday, racking up 171.5 points at Northview Stadium. The Jaguars finished 60 points ahead of runner-up Ames. "We definitely put some guys in positions where we knew they'd have success, but I … [Read more...] about ‘We just want to go out and run fast’: Jaguars race to first conference title
Hawks are ‘still pumped’ after medaling in 5 events at Drake Relays
Ankeny's Tyrese Miller likely opened some eyes on Thursday at the Drake Relays. Mason Thompson and the rest of the Hawks' track squad probably did, too. Miller and Thompson led the way as Ankeny earned medals in five different events. The Hawks placed third or higher in three of them. "Still pumped from yesterday," Ankeny coach Nick Nelson tweeted … [Read more...] about Hawks are ‘still pumped’ after medaling in 5 events at Drake Relays
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 133
Boys’ track coaches Nick Nelson of Ankeny and Nate Smith of Ankeny Centennial were the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 133
Ankeny, Centennial teams to be well represented at Drake Relays
The 111th Drake Relays will be held Thursday through Saturday at Drake Stadium. All of the high schools events will be held on Thursday before limited fans. Several athletes from Ankeny have qualified in multiple individual events. They are Lauren McMahon and Shelby Romig of Ankeny and Kathryn Vortherms and Rondi Quass of Ankeny Centennial in the girls' … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial teams to be well represented at Drake Relays
Jaguars win 5 events at Waukee Invite, while Miller shines for Ankeny boys
The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team tuned up for next week's Drake Relays with a second-place finish in the Class AA division of the Waukee Invitational on Thursday. The Jaguars won five events, including three relays, and finished with 143 points. Ankeny took fifth in the six-team field with 56 points. Waukee won the meet with 185 points. The … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 5 events at Waukee Invite, while Miller shines for Ankeny boys
Jaguars place 3rd overall at Hawk Relays; Ankeny boys finish 6th
Despite the windy conditions, Tuesday's Fred Smith Hawk Relays produced some outstanding performances. In the end, the top six teams in the 11-team field were separated by just 24 points. Indianola and Waukee tied for the team title with 85 points apiece. Ankeny Centennial placed third with 80 points. The Jaguars were followed by North Polk with 68 … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 3rd overall at Hawk Relays; Ankeny boys finish 6th
Ankeny, Centennial teams combine for 8 victories at Jim Duncan Invitational
All four of the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial track teams came away with victories in the Jim Duncan Invitational on Saturday at Drake Stadium. The Ankeny girls' and Centennial boys' squads each won three events. The Ankeny boys' and Centennial girls' teams each had one first-place finish. Many of the athletes will be back at Drake Stadium on April 22 … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial teams combine for 8 victories at Jim Duncan Invitational
Hawks win 4×200 relay, place fourth overall at DouBrava Invitational
There's no shortage of speed on the Ankeny boys' track team. The Hawks showed off their depth in the sprint events on Tuesday during the DouBrava Invitational at Urbandale. They won the 4x200 relay in a time of 1:30.13, finishing about 1 second ahead of runner-up Johnston. Colin Kadolph, Jase Bauer and Brody Brecht--who all starred on Ankeny's state … [Read more...] about Hawks win 4×200 relay, place fourth overall at DouBrava Invitational
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mason Thompson, Ankeny boys’ track
Senior Mason Thompson is a member of the Ankeny boys' track team. The standout hurdler has committed to run for Grand View next year. Thompson placed second in the 110 hurdles in the Brooks Relays on Saturday at Valley. He helped the Hawks to a sixth-place finish overall. Here is some inside info on Thompson: How is the season going thus far? For … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mason Thompson, Ankeny boys’ track
Jaguars win 4 events, place 3rd overall at Ram Relays; Hawks finish 6th
Earlier in the week, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team had to overcome some extremely windy conditions to win the Cub Relays at Nevada. On Thursday, the Jaguars--as well as crosstown rival Ankeny--had to deal with a different issue in the Ram Relays at Southeast Polk. "They were having some trouble with the timing system," said Ankeny coach Nick … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, place 3rd overall at Ram Relays; Hawks finish 6th
‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights
Ankeny distance runner Andrew Poock has committed to Wartburg College. Poock picked the Knights over Central and Simpson. All three schools are members of the NCAA Division III American Rivers Conference. "I looked at Iowa State first, but after looking at Central, Simpson and Wartburg I liked the feel of the smaller schools better," Poock said. "I … [Read more...] about ‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights
Hawks win sprint medley relay, Jaguars also shine at Waukee Earlybird meet
The weather for Thursday's Waukee Earlybird boys' track meet wasn't the greatest. Still, Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial both overcame the rainy conditions to turn in some good performances. The meet was unscored. "Our kids competed very well," said Ankeny coach Nick Nelson. "We still have some of our top guys running at half capacity. We're waiting for … [Read more...] about Hawks win sprint medley relay, Jaguars also shine at Waukee Earlybird meet
Ankeny boys’ track team to rely on depth in sprint, hurdles events
With temperatures in the 60s, the Ankeny boys' track team took advantage of the balmy weather to compete outdoors Tuesday in a dual meet at Urbandale. Coach Nick Nelson was pleased with the results. "It was great to be outside and run a full meet prior to spring break," Nelson said. "Typically, we are inside doing indoor meets. The boys competed very … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ track team to rely on depth in sprint, hurdles events
Ankeny’s Cox chooses track over other sports, commits to Western Illinois
Ankeny senior Cooper Cox could have elected to play baseball in college. Football was another option. But in the end, it was a different sport that Cox decided to focus on. He has verbally committed to join the Western Illinois men's track and field program, announcing his decision via Twitter on Friday. "When I first started the recruiting … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Cox chooses track over other sports, commits to Western Illinois
Ankeny’s Miller to play two sports–football and track–at Grand View
Sometimes, everything falls into place for a high school athlete in pursuit of a collegiate career. That's what happened with Ankeny senior Justice Miller, who has committed to play two sports--football, and track and field--at Grand View University. "I was looking for a school I could do track at and Grand View offered me for track, but after our … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Miller to play two sports–football and track–at Grand View