Many of the Ankeny girls' tennis players entered Tuesday's season-opening meet without any varsity experience. The Hawkettes ended the non-conference meet at Des Moines East/Hoover with a 10-1 victory--and some much-needed seasoning. "It was great to get these young ladies some experience," said new Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "I was proud of how they … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls romp past East/Hoover in Smith’s coaching debut
Spring
Short-handed Hawkettes rely on their depth to win Hi Covey Relays crown
The Ankeny girls' track team was missing a few of its multi-sport athletes on Tuesday night as the girls' soccer squad opened its season at Iowa City West. Still, the Hawkettes had enough firepower to win the Hi Covey Relays at Ames. "We were limited with soccer starting up, and we were short a few key pieces," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. "It was … [Read more...] about Short-handed Hawkettes rely on their depth to win Hi Covey Relays crown
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ella Kuper, Ankeny girls’ track
Junior Ella Kuper is a member of the Ankeny girls' track team. "Ella filled in several events for us at the Waukee Earlybird meet (on March 26) due to schedule conflicts with other kids," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. "She did a great job and held her own against some tough competition. She’s a great leader for us." The Hawkettes will compete in … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ella Kuper, Ankeny girls’ track
Hawks win shootout against C.R. Kennedy, give Varnum his first victory
The Ankeny boys' soccer team didn't have to wait long to get back on the field Saturday after a season-opening loss. The Hawks dropped a 2-0 decision to Linn-Mar (Marion) in their opener, but came back a couple hours later and defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 1-0, in a shootout. Both games were played at Ankeny. "The boys showed a lot of grit," said … [Read more...] about Hawks win shootout against C.R. Kennedy, give Varnum his first victory
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team
The success of the Ankeny boys' soccer program didn't happen overnight. The Hawks struggled to a 2-12-2 record in their first season of competition in 1985, and they didn't post a winning mark until 1989, when coach Mark McDougal led the team to a 7-6-3 campaign. The 1990s saw some gradual progress under McDougal and then Peter Rameh, who took over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team
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
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Marcus Varnum, Ankeny boys’ soccer
The former Ankeny standout made his long-awaited debut as the Hawks' head coach on Saturday. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Marcus Varnum, Ankeny boys’ soccer
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
McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown
It's been a few years since the Ankeny girls' track team won its own Hawkette Invitational. The Hawkettes put an end to that drought with a dominating performance on Thursday. Ankeny captured eight events and easily won the team title with 178.75 points. The Hawkettes last won their home meet in 2017, when Dennis Adamson was the team's coach. "It … [Read more...] about McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown
Hawks dominate tiebreakers, open season with 8-3 victory at Norwalk
Ron Miller's coaching debut with the Ankeny boys' tennis team was a rousing success. The Hawks opened their season on Thursday with an 8-3 victory at Norwalk in a non-conference meet. They won four of the six singles matches, then captured four of the five doubles matches to seal the win. "It was a great win to start off the season, and it was because … [Read more...] about Hawks dominate tiebreakers, open season with 8-3 victory at Norwalk
‘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
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 130
Girls' soccer coaches Simon Brown of Ankeny and Chris Allen 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 130
‘The wind was relentless’: Hawkettes perform well despite tough conditions
The Ankeny girls' track team won a couple of individual events at the Waukee Invitational on Tuesday, even though the Hawkettes didn't score any points for those efforts. The 13-team meet featured an unusual format. Only the relay events were scored. Waukee won five of the seven relays and easily captured the team title with 66 points. Ames was second … [Read more...] about ‘The wind was relentless’: Hawkettes perform well despite tough conditions
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Irie Vincent, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Senior midfielder Irie Vincent is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny girls' soccer team. Vincent helped the Hawkettes to an 18-4 record and the Class 3A state title as a sophomore in 2019. She contributed one goal and three assists. Here is some inside info on Vincent: I think you're the only person I know with the first name of Irie. Is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Irie Vincent, Ankeny girls’ soccer
With Webb leading the way, Hawkette golfers looking to qualify for state
There's no doubt that the Ankeny girls' golf program is trending in the right direction. Before the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawkettes posted a 3-2 dual record in 2019. It was their first winning campaign since the split into two high schools in 2013. Ankeny coach Seth Hagarty is confident that his team can pick up … [Read more...] about With Webb leading the way, Hawkette golfers looking to qualify for state
Ankeny’s McMahon, Baier post victories at Waukee Earlybird meet
It was a "fantastic night" for the Ankeny girls' track team. Those were the words of head coach Thomas Cotter after the Hawkettes won two events and had many other top-three finishes in the Waukee Earlybird meet on Friday. "Our execution was at a high level for this early in the season," Cotter said. "Tonight was about getting some times on a few more … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s McMahon, Baier post victories at Waukee Earlybird meet
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
Ferree, Somers are lone varsity returnees for inexperienced Ankeny squad
Maybe one of these days it will stop raining. New Ankeny boys' tennis coach Ron Miller is certainly hoping so. The Hawks haven't been able to practice much in preparation for their season opener on April 1 at Norwalk. But the weather hasn't dampened their enthusiasm. "The boys have been great!" Miller said. "We all wish we were outside more, but … [Read more...] about Ferree, Somers are lone varsity returnees for inexperienced Ankeny squad
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 129
Girls' track coaches Andrew Kruzich of Ankeny Centennial and Thomas Cotter of Ankeny join Coldwell Banker Mid-America realtor Andy Logan as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 129
Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith
There is no shortage of players on the Ankeny girls' tennis team. New head coach Steve Smith said he currently has about 100 girls on the preseason roster. "But from my understanding from past years, that could end up being anywhere between 50 and 90 girls that participate once practices start," Smith said. "So I guess we'll find out next … [Read more...] about Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith