Ankeny was the last girls' soccer team to capture the Class 3A state championship. But you won't hear coach Simon Brown talking to the Hawkettes about defending their crown this season. Ankeny won the fourth state title in school history in 2019. The 2020 campaign was then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that most of the Hawkettes' … [Read more...] about After winning state title in 2019, Ankeny girls ‘get to make their own story’ in 2021
Spring
Hawks lack varsity experience, but team chemistry could take them long way
Marcus Varnum was hired in the fall of 2019 to take over the Ankeny boys' soccer program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Ankeny and Simpson College standout has had to wait more than 17 months to make his coaching debut. The Hawks will open the 2021 season by hosting the Ankeny Invitational on April 3. "I'll be thrilled to get that first … [Read more...] about Hawks lack varsity experience, but team chemistry could take them long way
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
Hawkettes boast talented group of sprinters, seek top-10 finish at state
Two years ago, the Ankeny girls' track team tied for 12th place in the Class 4A state meet--its highest finish since 2013. Most of the state qualifiers from that squad are still on the Hawkettes' roster, even after losing the majority of the 2020 season to the COVID-19 pandemic. "It has been a year since we got to roll up our sleeves with these kids," … [Read more...] about Hawkettes boast talented group of sprinters, seek top-10 finish at state
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
Romig chooses track over softball, verbally commits to St. Cloud State
The loss of her junior track season to COVID-19 didn't prevent Ankeny's Shelby Romig from attracting the attention of college coaches. She had already done enough to prove that she's capable of competing at the collegiate level. Romig has verbally committed to join the women's track and field program at St. Cloud State, an NCAA Division II school that … [Read more...] about Romig chooses track over softball, verbally commits to St. Cloud State
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
Miller replaces longtime friend Smith as Ankeny boys’ tennis coach
The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' tennis team is already familiar with the Hawks' program. Ron Miller has been hired to replace Steve Smith, who resigned from his position to become the head coach of the Ankeny girls' squad. Miller and Smith are longtime friends. "We've been playing tennis together for about 10 years," Miller said. "Steve … [Read more...] about Miller replaces longtime friend Smith as Ankeny boys’ tennis coach
Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI
Ankeny sprinters Mytika Mayberry and Eva van de Mortel are both headed to Division I track and field programs in Iowa. They could have remained teammates on the collegiate level, but van de Mortel decided to pursue a different path. While Mayberry has committed to run for Iowa, van de Mortel also considered the Hawkeyes before choosing Northern … [Read more...] about Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI
Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Smith to replace girls’ coach Owens
The timing was just right for Ankeny girls' tennis coach Katie Owens to step down from her position. It was also the perfect time for Ankeny boys' coach Steve Smith to replace her. Smith has been named the successor to Owens, who coached the Hawkettes from 2014-20. He will now get an opportunity to coach his daughter, Kira, who is currently an eighth … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Smith to replace girls’ coach Owens
After missing her junior season, Ankeny golfer Webb commits to William Jewell
Ankeny golfer Jaci Webb didn't get a chance to impress college coaches with a strong junior season. She still landed a scholarship anyway. Webb has verbally committed to play for William Jewell College, an NCAA Division II program in Liberty, Mo. She announced her decision via Twitter earlier on Tuesday. "I am very excited to announce that I have … [Read more...] about After missing her junior season, Ankeny golfer Webb commits to William Jewell
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team
The Ankeny boys' tennis program dates back to the early 1970s. The biggest highlight for the Hawks over the last 50 years came nearly two decades ago. In 2003, head coach Dennis Hoefle guided Ankeny to the best season in school history. The Hawks advanced to the state team tournament for the first time ever and went on to capture the Class 2A … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team
Ankeny’s Christmann to play soccer at Wartburg College
The Ankeny connection to the Wartburg women's soccer program continues to grow. Ankeny midfielder Rachael Christmann, who helped the Hawkettes to the Class 3A state title in 2019, has committed to play for the Knights. She will join the Division III program in 2021. When Christmann took an overnight visit to Waverly, she stayed with current Wartburg … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Christmann to play soccer at Wartburg College
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ tennis team
Some of the best girls' tennis teams in Ankeny High School history could have been even better. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the Hawkettes reeled off 20 consecutive dual-meet victories under coach Dirk Baker, one of the best players in the school at that time was Karlin Hayes. "Karlin was a top 100 player in the 14s, but she never … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ tennis team
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Acacia Biehl, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Senior Acacia Biehl helped the Ankeny girls' soccer team to the Class 3A state championship in 2019. She had one goal and three assists for the Hawkettes. Biehl has committed to play for Wartburg College in the fall. Here is some inside info on Biehl: You have an interesting first name. Is there a story behind how you got it? My parents have … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Acacia Biehl, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reilly Johnson, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Senior Reilly Johnson helped the Ankeny girls' tennis team to a 6-9 record in 2019. She was the team's No. 4 or 5 player most of the season. Johnson was also a member of the Ankeny volleyball team, helping the Hawkettes to a 37-6 mark last fall. She racked up 127 kills, 34 blocks and 41 digs. Here is some inside info on Johnson: Even though your … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reilly Johnson, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Claire Beath and Rachel Moore, girls’ golf
Claire Beath is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team, while fellow senior Rachel Moore plays for crosstown rival Ankeny. Their 2020 season was wiped out due to the coronavirus. Beath posted an average score of 56.9 strokes as a junior. Moore finished the 2019 season with a 59.4 average. Here is some inside info on the duo: Even though … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Claire Beath and Rachel Moore, girls’ golf
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jacob Baier, Ankeny boys’ track
Senior Jacob Baier was expected to have a big season for the Ankeny boys' track team. He placed sixth in the discus at last year's Class 4A state meet with a throw of 153 feet 9 inches, helping the Hawks to a sixth-place finish. Baier was also a standout on the football field last fall, when he helped Ankeny to an 8-3 record and a Class 4A quarterfinal … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jacob Baier, Ankeny boys’ track
Ankeny’s Reynolds, Centennial’s Hron to play soccer at Simpson College
Two more Ankeny-area soccer players have decided to spend the next four years in Indianola. Ankeny senior Ben Reynolds has committed to play for Simpson College. He joins his teammate Colby Cheney, who previously committed to the Storm. "The fact that I already knew Colby was going to Simpson helped me in knowing that I would be going along with a … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Reynolds, Centennial’s Hron to play soccer at Simpson College
First-year coaches Varnum, Espinosa deal with devastation of lost season
Perhaps nobody was more excited to coach his team this spring than Ankeny boys' soccer coach Marcus Varnum. Unless it was Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Armando Espinosa. Both Espinosa and Varnum were first-year head coaches who had their debut seasons wiped out by the coronavirus. Espinosa, the head tennis professional at Ames Fitness Center, … [Read more...] about First-year coaches Varnum, Espinosa deal with devastation of lost season