Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

‘We just knew we were better’: Ankeny boys hold off Jags to sweep season series

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There’s no doubt that a crosstown rivalry win was going to be important for either of the Ankeny or Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. For the Hawks, Tuesday's game was a chance to bounce back from back-to-back losses, even out their record and generate some momentum for their upcoming slate. For the visiting … [Read more...] about ‘We just knew we were better’: Ankeny boys hold off Jags to sweep season series

Balanced Jaguars overcome Williams’ career-high 33 points to knock off Ankeny

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has dominated the all-time series against its crosstown rival. The Jaguars entered Tuesday's game at Ankeny with a 22-3 advantage in the history of the rivalry, but the third-ranked Hawkettes were clearly the favorite after posting a 55-39 win at Centennial on Dec. 5. After getting off to a slow start, … [Read more...] about Balanced Jaguars overcome Williams’ career-high 33 points to knock off Ankeny

‘I really feel like as a team we are coming together!’: Ankeny bowlers sweep East

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The Ankeny bowling teams swept a non-conference meet against visiting Des Moines East on Tuesday at B-Roll Bowling. Ankeny won the girls' meet by a score of 1,958 to 1,762 to earn its first win of the season. The squad improved to 1-6, while the Scarlets' record dropped to 2-5. The boys' team, meanwhile, won by a score of 2,216 to 1,823. Ankeny is now … [Read more...] about ‘I really feel like as a team we are coming together!’: Ankeny bowlers sweep East

Rathjen leads Hawks to 5th-place finish at Mendenhall Invite; Centennial takes 9th

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial wrestling teams had multiple placewinners in the Jack Mendenhall Invitational on Saturday at Ames. The Hawks placed fifth in the 15-team field with 141.5 points. They had nine top-eight finishers. Centennial, meanwhile, took ninth with 83.5 points. The Jaguars had six placewinners. "We didn't bring a full group, … [Read more...] about Rathjen leads Hawks to 5th-place finish at Mendenhall Invite; Centennial takes 9th

‘They can really defend’: No. 2 Wolves shut down Ankeny boys in 64-45 victory

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A scoring drought of about 4 minutes at the beginning of each half proved costly for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Second-ranked Waukee Northwest cranked up the defensive pressure and rolled to a 64-45 victory on Friday, handing the Hawks their fourth consecutive CIML Conference loss at home. "I think they had a lot to do with that," Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘They can really defend’: No. 2 Wolves shut down Ankeny boys in 64-45 victory

‘They have so much talent’: Hot-shooting Waukee NW rolls past Hawkettes, 63-39

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Two months ago, Waukee Northwest captured the Class 5A state volleyball title in dominating fashion. Now, the Wolves could be a contender for the girls' state basketball crown as well. Fifth-ranked Northwest extended its winning streak to four games with a 63-39 victory on Friday at No. 3 Ankeny. The Wolves moved into sole possession of third place in … [Read more...] about ‘They have so much talent’: Hot-shooting Waukee NW rolls past Hawkettes, 63-39

‘We struggled with our consistency and focus’: Ankeny bowlers tumble to Valley

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The Ankeny boys' bowling team was not at full strength for Thursday's dual meet against Valley at Warrior Lanes. "We're fighting some illness and had some starters out," said Ankeny coach Adam Booth. With a depleted lineup, Ankeny lost to the Tigers by a score of 2,731 to 2,261. The Hawks' records dropped to 1-3 in the CIML Conference and 1-4 … [Read more...] about ‘We struggled with our consistency and focus’: Ankeny bowlers tumble to Valley

‘That was the team I know’: Swimmers’ depth pays off with 94-76 win at S.E. Polk

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The ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team relied on its depth to post a 94-76 victory at No. 11 Southeast Polk on Thursday. The Rams won six of the 11 events, but Ankeny had seven runner-up finishes, 10 third-place finishes and swept the top three places in the 200 individual medley to earn the win. Coach Dustin Rhoads' team improved to 2-3 in the … [Read more...] about ‘That was the team I know’: Swimmers’ depth pays off with 94-76 win at S.E. Polk

Salgado’s pin provides lone victory for Ankeny wrestlers in 70-6 loss to S.E. Polk

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Coming out of the holiday break, the Ankeny wrestling team couldn't have asked for a tougher matchup than the one that faced the Hawks on Thursday. Coach Jack Wignall's team traveled to Southeast Polk for a CIML Conference dual meet and dropped a 70-6 decision to the Rams, who recorded eight pins and two technical falls. The Hawks were without two of … [Read more...] about Salgado’s pin provides lone victory for Ankeny wrestlers in 70-6 loss to S.E. Polk

‘It was just a fun game to watch’: Pargeon, J-Hawks outlast Aguirre, Ankeny boys

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny boys' basketball team just couldn’t get a shot to fall when they needed it the most on a night where the ball didn’t have many issues finding the hoop. The Hawks were on their way to pulling off a fourth-quarter comeback on Tuesday when a scoring drought in the final 5 minutes aided visiting Urbandale in claiming … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a fun game to watch’: Pargeon, J-Hawks outlast Aguirre, Ankeny boys

Hawkettes romp past Urbandale, move into sole possession of 3rd place in CIML

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team moved into sole possession of third place in the CIML Conference with a 59-45 victory at Urbandale on Tuesday. Bouncing back from Friday's loss to second-ranked Dowling Catholic, the No. 3 Hawkettes built a huge advantage and then coasted to the win. "We extended the lead to 26 (points) in the third quarter, but then … [Read more...] about Hawkettes romp past Urbandale, move into sole possession of 3rd place in CIML

‘We have to be better to be successful’: Swimmers win 3 events in loss at Dowling

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team got two wins from Jake Smith and another one from Bryer Pearson during Tuesday's CIML Conference dual meet at Dowling Catholic. Unfortunately, the sixth-ranked Maroons won the other eight events and posted a 101-69 victory. They improved to 2-1 in the league and 14-4 overall, while No. 9 Ankeny's records dropped to 1-3 and … [Read more...] about ‘We have to be better to be successful’: Swimmers win 3 events in loss at Dowling

‘It honestly just checked all my boxes’: Ankeny guard Kiene to play for Midland

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Senior guard Ainsley Kiene of Ankeny has verbally committed to play for the women's basketball team at Midland University, an NAIA program located in Fremont, Neb. Kiene picked the Warriors after looking at a variety of schools. "It was a very tough decision," Kiene said on Monday. "But I love the coaching staff as well as all the players on the team. … [Read more...] about ‘It honestly just checked all my boxes’: Ankeny guard Kiene to play for Midland

‘The guys just responded really well’: Hawks end skid with win over C.R. Prairie

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A trip to Cedar Rapids may have been just what the Ankeny boys' basketball team needed. The Hawks returned from the holiday break and ended a three-game losing skid with a 67-50 victory over Cedar Rapids Prairie in the the CIML/MVC Crossover event on Saturday at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse. Ankeny (4-3) won in the event for the third straight … [Read more...] about ‘The guys just responded really well’: Hawks end skid with win over C.R. Prairie

No. 2 Maroons outlast No. 3 Ankeny girls in showdown for 2nd place in CIML race

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Friday's showdown between two of the top three girls' basketball teams in Class 5A turned out to be a game of runs. In the end, second-ranked Dowling Catholic held off No. 3 Ankeny's final rally to post a 64-57 victory on the road. The Hawkettes lost despite shooting 61.1 percent from 3-point range (11-of-18). "We just got down by a little too much to … [Read more...] about No. 2 Maroons outlast No. 3 Ankeny girls in showdown for 2nd place in CIML race

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Noah Kearney, Ankeny boys’ swimming

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Senior Noah Kearney has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team to a 1-2 record in the CIML Conference. The squad is now 10-7 overall after placing second in the seven-team field in the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Mercer Park Aquatic Center in Iowa City. Kearney won two events and also swam on two winning relays as Ankeny defeated … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Noah Kearney, Ankeny boys’ swimming

‘It’s a privilege to wrestle in this event’: Hawks place 9th at Battle of Waterloo

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The holiday break is coming at a good time for the Ankeny wrestlers. The Hawks turned in a strong performance at the Battle of Waterloo, where they defeated all three of their opponents on Saturday to win Pool 3 and place ninth overall in the 32-team field. "It's a privilege to wrestle in this event," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall, whose team improved … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a privilege to wrestle in this event’: Hawks place 9th at Battle of Waterloo

‘I didn’t mean to bank it!’: Kiene’s 3-pointer at buzzer lifts Hawkettes past Cedar Falls

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Ainsley Kiene wasn't supposed to take the final shot for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. But with time running out and the ball in her hands from well beyond the arc, Kiene knew that she had no other choice. The senior guard banked in a 3-point goal from the top of the key as time expired to give the third-ranked Hawkettes a 50-47 victory at No. 8 … [Read more...] about ‘I didn’t mean to bank it!’: Kiene’s 3-pointer at buzzer lifts Hawkettes past Cedar Falls