Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

‘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

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

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

‘I knew I wanted to be a Cyclone’: Baier commits to ISU track and field program

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Ankeny junior Hannah Baier could have followed in the footsteps of her brother. Instead, she'll be following in her parents' footsteps. Baier has verbally committed to join the Iowa State women's track and field program. She will compete in the throwing events. "Prior to my visit, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go," said Baier. "I took a visit this … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I wanted to be a Cyclone’: Baier commits to ISU track and field program

‘Dowling is just that good’: No. 1 Maroons end Ankeny’s run at state team tourney

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Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith had no reasons to be disappointed following his squad's 5-0 loss to top-ranked Dowling Catholic in the opening round of the Class 2A state team tournament on Saturday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Maroons (11-0) are likely headed to a state championship. "I thought everyone played pretty well despite the … [Read more...] about ‘Dowling is just that good’: No. 1 Maroons end Ankeny’s run at state team tourney

‘I think we really proved ourselves today’: Hawkettes capture state title in DMR

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When the Ankeny girls' distance medley relay team stepped on the track Friday morning at the Class 4A state meet, the Hawkettes were not only racing against some of the state's top squads in the final section of the event. Ankeny was also racing the clock. Defending champion Cedar Rapids Prairie got a 2:13.39 anchor leg from Gabby Cortez and won the … [Read more...] about ‘I think we really proved ourselves today’: Hawkettes capture state title in DMR

Centennial’s Valentine places 4th in long jump; Hawks take 5th in 4×200 relay

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Ankeny Centennial senior Isaiah Valentine jumped 21 feet 6 inches on his second attempt in the long jump at the Class 4A state track meet on Friday at Drake Stadium. Valentine wasn't able to improve his mark on the next four jumps, but he held on for a fourth-place finish. He scored five points for the Jaguars, who are tied for 23rd place heading into the … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Valentine places 4th in long jump; Hawks take 5th in 4×200 relay

Ankeny freshman Smith earns No. 4 seed for Class 2A singles tournament

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The brackets for the girls' Class 2A state tennis tournament have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Ankeny freshman Kira Smith has been awarded the No. 4 seed in the Class 2A singles tournament. She will meet Celine Matthews of Mason City in the opening round. Junior Esther Guan of Ankeny Centennial was given a tough draw. … [Read more...] about Ankeny freshman Smith earns No. 4 seed for Class 2A singles tournament

‘Nobody can beat me’: Ankeny’s Miller cruises to Class 4A state title in 400

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As he sped around the blue oval at Drake Stadium on Thursday, Ankeny senior Tyrese Miller knew that he was about to become a state champion for the first time. Miller won the 400 in the boys' Class 4A state track meet in a time of 48.71 seconds. He finished nearly a full second ahead of runner-up Luke Meyers of Iowa City Liberty. "That's definitely the … [Read more...] about ‘Nobody can beat me’: Ankeny’s Miller cruises to Class 4A state title in 400

Hanfelt, Baier score points for Ankeny, while Quass, Leazer place for Jaguars

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The Ankeny girls' track team scored points in two events Thursday on the opening day of the Class 4A state meet, and so did crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. Ankeny's Reagan Hanfelt tied for third in the high jump, and Hannah Baier placed fourth in the discus. Centennial's Rondi Quass took fifth in the 3,000, while teammate Kambria Leazer tied for sixth … [Read more...] about Hanfelt, Baier score points for Ankeny, while Quass, Leazer place for Jaguars

Jaguars win Veenker regional, advance to state; Hawkettes finish 5th at Willow

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Kaitlyn Ault was in eighth grade the last time the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team qualified for the state meet in 2018. Her sister, Nikki, helped the Jaguars to a sixth-place finish in Class 4A. Now, Kaitlyn will get a chance to play in the state meet, too. Ault carded a 92 on Wednesday to place sixth in a Class 4A regional at Veenker Golf … [Read more...] about Jaguars win Veenker regional, advance to state; Hawkettes finish 5th at Willow

Ward scores twice in 1st half, leads Hawks to 2-1 win over Hoover in finale

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A pair of first-half goals by Jace Ward proved to be enough for the Ankeny boys' soccer team on Tuesday. Ward found the net twice to give his team a 2-0 lead at halftime, and the top-ranked Hawks held on for a 2-1 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. “Getting through our last regular-season game with a result like that … [Read more...] about Ward scores twice in 1st half, leads Hawks to 2-1 win over Hoover in finale

History-making Hawkettes advance to team state for first time in AHS history

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It's been a storybook season for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. And it got even better on Tuesday. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes posted a 5-1 victory over No. 10 Urbandale in the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament at Ames. The win allowed Ankeny to advance to the state team tournament for the first time ever. "Seniors Tori Johnson and Anna … [Read more...] about History-making Hawkettes advance to team state for first time in AHS history

Short-handed Hawkettes shoot 394, take 5th in S.E. Polk Invite at Copper Creek

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Despite using only four players, the Ankeny girls' golf team placed fifth in the Southeast Polk Invitational on Monday at Copper Creek. The Hawkettes posted a score of 394. It was their first sub-400 round since April 29 at Willow Creek, where Ankeny will return on Wednesday for a Class 4A regional meet. "I was very excited for the girls," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Short-handed Hawkettes shoot 394, take 5th in S.E. Polk Invite at Copper Creek

Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Jamison Patton and Isaiah Valentine

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Senior Isaiah Valentine of Ankeny Centennial and junior Jamison Patton of Ankeny have both qualified for the state track meet in the jumping events. Valentine placed second in the long jump on Thursday in a state qualifying meet at Fort Dodge. He recorded a personal best of 22 feet 1.5 inches. Patton, meanwhile, took second in the high jump at Johnston … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Jamison Patton and Isaiah Valentine