Last month, Joe Kingston and the Ankeny football team ended the season with a loss to Johnston in the Class 5A quarterfinals. On Thursday, Kingston and a couple of his football teammates earned a measure of revenge on the wrestling mat. Kingston, Will Hinrichs and Cade Bennethum each recorded a fall as the sixth-ranked Hawks opened their season with a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s pretty gratifying’: Hawk matmen open season with 39-32 win at No. 3 Johnston
Winter
‘It was just a tough matchup’: Waukee tops Ankeny boys in Biliew’s return
Omaha Biliew's celebrated return to the Iowa high school basketball scene came at the expense of the Ankeny boys' squad. The Hawks opened their season on Tuesday with a 75-51 loss at Waukee, the preseason No. 1 team in Class 4A. Biliew, who helped the Warriors to a state title as a sophomore before spending last season at a Missouri prep school, is … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a tough matchup’: Waukee tops Ankeny boys in Biliew’s return
Gage, Hawkettes hold off furious Waukee rally to win CIML Conference opener
When the Ankeny girls' basketball team went through a scoring drought on Tuesday, the Hawkettes relied on their defense to win their CIML Conference opener. Ninth-ranked Ankeny led by as many as 16 points in both halves before No. 14 Waukee staged a huge rally on its home court, closing to within two points late in the game before the Hawkettes held on … [Read more...] about Gage, Hawkettes hold off furious Waukee rally to win CIML Conference opener
Overcoming illnesses, Jaguars open season with wins over W. Marshall, Albia
Despite being less than full strength, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team opened its season on Tuesday with a pair of victories at State Center. The Jaguars posted a 49-30 win over host West Marshall and also defeated Albia, 48-27, in the non-conference double dual meet. "I was happy with how we wrestled," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "I thought … [Read more...] about Overcoming illnesses, Jaguars open season with wins over W. Marshall, Albia
‘We have enough girls this year’: Ankeny bowling teams boast better numbers
Ankeny bowling coach Lane Richtsmeier likes what he has seen thus far from his teams. "The practices are going pretty well--for just getting started," he said. Unlike last year, Richtsmeier has had to trim down his roster. There are 17 boys and 12 girls on the two squads. The Hawks posted a 3-9 record a year ago. The Hawkettes struggled to a 1-11 … [Read more...] about ‘We have enough girls this year’: Ankeny bowling teams boast better numbers
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Calvin Howard, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Senior Calvin Howard is one of the five returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. He helped the Hawks to a seventh-place finish at the state meet. Howard tied for 14th place in the 100 butterfly with a time of 52.55 seconds and finished 29th in the 200 individual medley in 2:02.51. He also swam on the eighth-place 400 freestyle and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Calvin Howard, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Centennial wrestlers return trio of state qualifiers, several other veterans
When the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team opens its season this week, the Jaguars will have some new faces in their lineup. Centennial graduated five state qualifiers from last year's team, including four-time qualifier Jackson Helmkamp and fellow two-time placewinner Carter Cahill. The Jaguars tied for 16th place in Class 3A with 34 points. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers return trio of state qualifiers, several other veterans
‘We know who our kids are’: Ankeny wrestlers enter season with high hopes
A year ago, the Ankeny wrestling team qualified for the Class 3A state duals tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools. Now, the Hawks would like to do it again. This year's state duals tournament has been moved to Feb. 4--the week before the district tournament. It will be held at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. "I am very … [Read more...] about ‘We know who our kids are’: Ankeny wrestlers enter season with high hopes
Hawk swimmers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invite
A strong field provided a good opening test for the Ankeny boys' swimming team as the Hawks hosted the Ankeny Sprint Invitational on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Waukee, the two-time defending state champion, easily won the meet with 453.5 points. Valley, last year's third-place finisher at state, took second with 379 points. Ankeny placed … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invite
Hawkettes place 4 players in double figures, romp past Cedar Falls in opener
The Ankeny girls' basketball team took a long bus ride to Cedar Falls for its season opener on Tuesday. At least the ride home was a joyous one. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes took control from the start and went on to post a 60-43 victory in the non-conference game. "We're still a young team, even though we return a lot of experience," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 4 players in double figures, romp past Cedar Falls in opener
Despite loss of key players, Ankeny boys ‘believe in the tradition of our program’
The depth on the Ankeny boys' basketball team has taken a severe hit before the season has even tipped off. The Hawks have lost four varsity-level competitors in JJ Kohl, Alex Aguirre, Karson Wehde and Joel Mpore to either injury or early college enrollment, according to Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. "Although not ideal, I believe in the tradition of … [Read more...] about Despite loss of key players, Ankeny boys ‘believe in the tradition of our program’
Butterfly state champ Swanepoel, 4 other qualifiers return for Hawk swimmers
Despite having only five returning state qualifiers, the Ankeny boys' swimming team can rebuild its lineup around one of the state's best swimmers. Senior Lance Swanepoel is the defending state champion in the 100 butterfly and a five-time all-American. He led the Hawks to a seventh-place finish at last year's state meet. "Lance made a great jump last … [Read more...] about Butterfly state champ Swanepoel, 4 other qualifiers return for Hawk swimmers
‘We have high goals this year’: Hawkettes raise the bar after record-setting season
The bar has been raised for the Ankeny girls' basketball program. The Hawkettes enjoyed a record-setting season last year under coach Dru McAnelly, posting a 16-7 mark and earning a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title. They also reached a Class 5A regional final before dropping a 49-47 decision at second-ranked Des Moines Roosevelt. Now, the Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We have high goals this year’: Hawkettes raise the bar after record-setting season
Centennial is 3rd, Ankeny 9th in Class 5A girls’ basketball preseason rankings
Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked in the top 10 in the Class 5A girls' basketball preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars, who open their season on Friday at Des Moines East, are ranked third. They return three starters from a team that went 20-4 and qualified for the Class 5A state tournament a year … [Read more...] about Centennial is 3rd, Ankeny 9th in Class 5A girls’ basketball preseason rankings
‘What I liked was just the overall vibe’: Ankeny’s Aguirre to play for Morningside
Ankeny senior Alex Aguirre has verbally committed to play basketball next year at Morningside University. Aguirre said he picked the Mustangs after looking at other schools such as Briar Cliff, DMACC, Iowa Lakes, Central College and Upper Iowa. "What I liked about Morningside was just the overall vibe that I got as soon as I stepped on campus," said … [Read more...] about ‘What I liked was just the overall vibe’: Ankeny’s Aguirre to play for Morningside
Ankeny senior Wehde suffers broken leg, will miss entire boys’ basketball season
The Ankeny boys' basketball team will be missing one of its top players this winter. Senior wing Karson Wehde has suffered a season-ending injury before the Hawks even started practicing. "On Thursday night at open gym I broke the tibia and fibula in my leg," said Wehde. "I had surgery Friday morning, and I'll be out for the whole season." Wehde … [Read more...] about Ankeny senior Wehde suffers broken leg, will miss entire boys’ basketball season
Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly from NISCA for 3rd time
Ankeny boys' swimming standout Lance Swanepoel has earned all-American honors from the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association. Swanepoel, a junior, won a state title in the 100 butterfly in 48.22 seconds. His time of 48.20 in the preliminaries broke his own school record in the event by more than a second and ranked 37th … [Read more...] about Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly from NISCA for 3rd time
THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85
The community of Ankeny has lost one of its most prominent citizens. Dick Rasmussen, the legendary softball and girls' basketball coach at Ankeny High School, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "I will miss him," said current Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham. "I love him and (his wife) Sue." Rasmussen coached at South Hamilton … [Read more...] about THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85
Ticket to ‘Pelladise’: Ankeny’s Filling commits to play basketball at Central
Ankeny senior Jadyn Filling really likes Central College. So much, in fact, that she now has a nickname for the town where Central is located. She calls it Pelladise. "I love the size at Central the most," said Filling, who verbally committed on Tuesday to play for the Dutch women's basketball program. "I had my first visit in August and have been … [Read more...] about Ticket to ‘Pelladise’: Ankeny’s Filling commits to play basketball at Central
Aguirre, Crandall, Johnson named to all-substate boys’ basketball team
Ankeny players Lio Aguirre, Ryan Crandall and Carson Johnson have been named to the Class 4A Substate 1 boys' basketball team. The trio helped the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the state tournament this season. Crandall, a senior forward, averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He was earlier selected to … [Read more...] about Aguirre, Crandall, Johnson named to all-substate boys’ basketball team