Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

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

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