With a year under her belt, Kelley Emke is ready for her second season as the Ankeny girls' golf coach. "I definitely feel more comfortable in my role this year," said Emke. "There was so much to learn last year that I often felt like I was always coming up on new challenges. This year I think we are all ready to go. We know the expectations, we know what … [Read more...] about ‘We are all ready to go’: Ankeny golfers gear up for their 2nd season under Emke
Spring
Jaguars win 4×400 relay, Ankeny’s Badillo ties for 1st in high jump at Central Indoor
Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams competed in the Central College Indoor Meet on Friday at Pella, and each squad came away with a victory. The Jaguars won the 4x400 relay with a time of 4:14.06. They won the race by more than 2 seconds over Southeast Polk. The highlight of Ankeny's day came in the high jump, where Mila Badillo … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×400 relay, Ankeny’s Badillo ties for 1st in high jump at Central Indoor
Ankeny girls’ team returns several players, adds 2-time state qualifier Smith to lineup
The Ankeny girls' tennis team has been strengthened by the addition of a two-time state qualifier. She's also a familiar face to the program. Senior Kira Smith, the daughter of Ankeny coach Steve Smith, has rejoined the squad after spending last year at a tennis academy in Florida. "She’s home this semester so she can graduate from Ankeny High … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ team returns several players, adds 2-time state qualifier Smith to lineup
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Pote, Ankeny boys’ track
Senior Landon Pote is one of 12 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny boys' track team. He helped the Hawks to the Class 4A championship a year ago for the program's first state title since 1972. Pote placed third in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet 3 inches and finished seventh in the 110 hurdles in 15.08 seconds. He also teamed up with Sam … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Pote, Ankeny boys’ track
‘I think it was a long offseason’: Hawkettes deal with injuries, prepare for new rules
The Ankeny girls' soccer team will have to make some adjustments this spring. The Hawkettes posted a 14-5 record a year ago, losing two of those games in shootouts. This year, there will be no shootouts during the regular season. "There is no overtime, so games can end in a tie after 80 (minutes)," said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. "Also, kids who get a … [Read more...] about ‘I think it was a long offseason’: Hawkettes deal with injuries, prepare for new rules
Hawks return 10 starters, look to make deep run at Class 4A state tournament
With 10 starters returning from a team that qualified for last year's Class 4A state tournament, the Ankeny boys' soccer players won't be satisfied just with making it back to state this season. The Hawks want to play for a bigger trophy. "The goal is to build on what we accomplished last year," said Ankeny coach Trevor Fuccio, who guided the Hawks to … [Read more...] about Hawks return 10 starters, look to make deep run at Class 4A state tournament
Ankeny boys return state qualifier in Victor along with 4 other varsity regulars
The Ankeny boys' tennis team made some positive strides a year ago. Coach Ron Miller is hoping that the Hawks can make even more this season. "We don't put a specific performance target on ourselves," Miller said. "I just ask the boys to practice hard and give everything they can each time out, and we will be much better at the end of each season than … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys return state qualifier in Victor along with 4 other varsity regulars
Badillo wins high jump, Cibula places in 2 events at Riverhawk Indoor Invitational
A limited number of Ankeny girls' track athletes competed in the Riverhawk Indoor Invitational on Tuesday at Mason City. Ankeny recorded several top-10 finishes. Leading the way was Mila Badillo, who cleared the bar at 5 feet 1 inch to win the high jump. Ava Leinen placed fourth in the long jump with a leap of 16-10. Teammate Quinn Roush was sixth in … [Read more...] about Badillo wins high jump, Cibula places in 2 events at Riverhawk Indoor Invitational
Hawkettes return 12 state qualifiers from last year’s 8th-place team in Class 4A
Despite losing some key pieces from last year's team, the Ankeny girls' track squad still boasts plenty of talent. The Hawkettes return 12 state qualifiers from a team that placed eighth in Class 4A a year ago with 34 points. "We have nine athletes who competed at state who either graduated or decided not to come out," said Ankeny coach TJ Jumper. "But … [Read more...] about Hawkettes return 12 state qualifiers from last year’s 8th-place team in Class 4A
Madetzke sets meet record, leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish at IATC Championships
Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams earned top-10 finishes in the IATC Indoor Championships on Friday at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center in Ames. The Hawkettes placed fourth with 47 points, while the Jaguars finished ninth with 27. Waukee Northwest claimed the title with 67 points, edging Cedar Falls by two points. Ankeny was … [Read more...] about Madetzke sets meet record, leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish at IATC Championships
Zuber wins 1,600 at IATC Championships, meets Blue Oval Standard for Drake
Ankeny track standout Ethan Zuber showed on Thursday that he's already in mid-season form. Zuber won the 1,600 with a time of 4:12.75 in the IATC Indoor Championships at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center in Ames. He edged runner-up Owen Wolfe of Dowling Catholic by .25 seconds. Zuber met the Blue Oval Standard for the Drake Relays. He nearly … [Read more...] about Zuber wins 1,600 at IATC Championships, meets Blue Oval Standard for Drake
‘It’s time to make some noise!’: Hawks appear loaded for another run at 4A title
Ankeny boys' track coach Jordan Mullen has already put 2024 behind him. The Hawks' record-setting performance in last year's Class 4A state meet won't mean anything when the 2025 season begins on Thursday with the ISU Indoor Meet at Ames. "In our preseason meeting I spoke about last year with the kids and how special of a year it was, and how that … [Read more...] about ‘It’s time to make some noise!’: Hawks appear loaded for another run at 4A title
‘I really like his style of play’: Benge commits to Flinn’s Drake soccer program
Ankeny boys' soccer standout Landon Benge found everything he was looking for at nearby Drake University. That's why the senior forward has committed to play for the Bulldogs next year. "I love the size, location, the soccer program and the coaching staff," said Benge. "I’ve had the opportunity to work with coach Pat (Flinn) at some camps, and I really … [Read more...] about ‘I really like his style of play’: Benge commits to Flinn’s Drake soccer program
‘I really liked the team and coaches’: Sickerson verbally commits to UNI
Ankeny sprinter Tyler Sickerson is fully healthy now, and he's made his college plans. The senior announced his verbal commitment over the weekend to join the Northern Iowa men's track and field program in the fall of 2025. "I really liked the team and coaches at UNI," said Sickerson. "I have a lot of teammates that I ran with in the past that already … [Read more...] about ‘I really liked the team and coaches’: Sickerson verbally commits to UNI
‘I felt I would be more happy at S. Dakota’: Beason picks Coyotes over Nebraska
One of the state's best distance runners has made her college plans. Ankeny senior Drew Beason has verbally committed to join the South Dakota women's cross country and track programs. She picked the Coyotes over Nebraska. "I liked the team and the team culture at South Dakota," said Beason. "I felt I would be more happy at South Dakota and just be … [Read more...] about ‘I felt I would be more happy at S. Dakota’: Beason picks Coyotes over Nebraska
Gustafson, Smith see both positives, negatives with moving girls’ tennis to fall
Girls' tennis coaches Alli Gustafson of Ankeny Centennial and Steve Smith of Ankeny were both prepared for the possibility that their sport would be moving to the fall eventually. It officially happened on Monday with a dual press release from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association, beginning with the … [Read more...] about Gustafson, Smith see both positives, negatives with moving girls’ tennis to fall
IHSAA, IGHSAU to separate golf, tennis seasons starting in 2025-26
The Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union have collaborated to reduce spring schedule congestion by moving boys’ golf and girls’ tennis to the fall sport seasons starting in the 2025-26 school year. The changes address decades-long concerns from member schools over scheduling and were approved by both the IHSAA’s … [Read more...] about IHSAA, IGHSAU to separate golf, tennis seasons starting in 2025-26
Centennial’s Ty Duax joins his father as three-time all-state selection by IHSSCA
Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Ty Duax has joined his father in an exclusive club. Duax, a senior midfielder, has earned all-state honors from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association for the third time, landing a spot on the Class 4A first team. He was a Class 4A second-team pick as a junior after being named to the Class 3A first team as … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Ty Duax joins his father as three-time all-state selection by IHSSCA
Ankeny’s Macke earns all-state honors from IHSSCA for 2nd consecutive year
Junior midfielder Alli Macke of Ankeny has earned all-state honors from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association for the second straight year. Macke, who was named to the Class 3A second team as a sophomore, was selected to the first team along with teammate Emma Gott. Ava Martin of Ankeny Centennial was also a first-team pick. Macke led the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Macke earns all-state honors from IHSSCA for 2nd consecutive year
Balashaitis, Lewis earn academic all-state honors; 6 boys’ players also recognized
Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players Maddison Balashaitis and Avery Lewis have been named to the Class 3A academic all-state first team by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association, while Centennial's Tyson Woerdehoff earned first-team honors in Class 4A on the boys' side. Balashaitis, a junior defender, and Lewis, a senior midfielder, helped … [Read more...] about Balashaitis, Lewis earn academic all-state honors; 6 boys’ players also recognized