Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown

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A year ago, the Ankeny girls' track team nearly captured a trophy at the Class 4A state meet, finishing just 1.5 points out of third place. The Hawkettes, who placed seventh with 44.5 points, might have enough talent back from that squad to earn some hardware this spring. Ankeny boasts 16 returning state qualifiers for new head coach T.J. Jumper, who … [Read more...] about ‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown

From the 515 to the 319: Ankeny distance standout Hill to run for Northern Iowa

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Senior Levi Hill helped lead the Ankeny boys' cross country team to its best season in two decades. His success with the Hawks has taken him to Cedar Falls. Hill has verbally committed to join the Northern Iowa men's cross country and track and field programs. One of his former Ankeny track teammates, thrower Jacob Baier, is a sophomore on the … [Read more...] about From the 515 to the 319: Ankeny distance standout Hill to run for Northern Iowa

‘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

Ankeny star Gibson named to United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team

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During the season, senior Eden Gibson was the leader of a defensive unit that resembled a brick wall, allowing just two goals during the entire girls' soccer campaign. Now, the Ankeny standout has been rewarded for her efforts. Gibson has been named to the 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team. She was joined on the squad by senior defender … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Gibson named to United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team

Newhard’s unquenchable thirst for goals leads to Gatorade Iowa POY award

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Ankeny star Lucas Newhard has been named the 2021-22 Gatorade Iowa Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Newhard, who led the Hawks to a 19-2 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state tournament, said he did not expect to win the honor. "My reaction when I found out I won was that I was surprised--based on all the good players nominated for this award," … [Read more...] about Newhard’s unquenchable thirst for goals leads to Gatorade Iowa POY award

Kovacs again named to IHSSCA all-state first team; 5 others also honored

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It's been a storybook senior season for Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer standout Courtney Kovacs. Earlier this month, Kovacs led the Jaguars to the Class 3A state championship and was named captain of the all-tournament team. She was a repeat pick to the Class 3A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Now, Kovacs has been honored … [Read more...] about Kovacs again named to IHSSCA all-state first team; 5 others also honored

Ankeny’s Newhard, Centennial’s Duax named to Class 3A all-state first team

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Four Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standouts have received all-state honors from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association along with a pair of Ankeny stars. Senior forward Lucas Newhard of Ankeny and sophomore midfielder Ty Duax of Centennial were both selected to the Class 3A first team. Junior forward Rashidi Ishibwami of Centennial and senior … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Newhard, Centennial’s Duax named to Class 3A all-state first team

Ankeny trio, Centennial duo named to Class 3A all-state first team by IGCA

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Eden Gibson of Ankeny and Courtney Kovacs of Ankeny Centennial were the leaders of two of the top girls' soccer defensive units in the state. Now, the two seniors have been recognized for their efforts by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Gibson and Kovacs were both repeat selections to the Class 3A all-state first team. They were joined on the … [Read more...] about Ankeny trio, Centennial duo named to Class 3A all-state first team by IGCA

Jaguars, Hawks dominate boys’ all-conference soccer team

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer teams combined to fill 11 of the 13 slots on the CIML Iowa Conference first team. The Jaguars had six first-team picks, while the Hawks had five. Central Conference champion Ankeny had three unanimous picks to the first team--junior defender Kwaku Kwarteng, senior forward Lucas Newhard and senior midfielder … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks dominate boys’ all-conference soccer team

Kovacs, Macke, Gibson repeat as unanimous picks to all-CIML team

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The state champion Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team placed four players on the CIML Iowa Conference first team, while Class 3A semifinalist Ankeny led the league with five first-team selections. Senior midfielders Courtney Kovacs of Centennial and Kennedy Macke of Ankeny were both unanimous picks for the second straight year. Senior defender Eden … [Read more...] about Kovacs, Macke, Gibson repeat as unanimous picks to all-CIML team

‘We didn’t do enough to win’: Hawkettes end season with OT loss to C.B. Lincoln

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Ankeny girls' soccer coach Simon Brown was left in a state of shock. His players were stunned as well. The third-ranked Hawkettes saw their season come to a bitter end on Thursday at Cownie Park, where Council Bluffs Lincoln's Hanna Schimmer scored the golden goal in overtime to give the No. 2 Lynx a 1-0 victory in the semifinals of the Class 3A state … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t do enough to win’: Hawkettes end season with OT loss to C.B. Lincoln

‘We fell short of our goals’: No. 1 Hawks ousted by Waukee NW on penalty kick

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In a matchup between two quality sides, a questionable call can sometimes prove to be the difference. That was the case on Wednesday at the boys' state soccer tournament, where third-ranked Waukee Northwest scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick to beat No. 1 Ankeny, 2-1, in the Class 3A quarterfinals. "I may be biased on that, but I don't think … [Read more...] about ‘We fell short of our goals’: No. 1 Hawks ousted by Waukee NW on penalty kick

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

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

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