Junior guard Karsen Jacks has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 2-1 record. She made 4-of-5 3-point shots and scored 14 points in the Hawkettes' 68-59 loss to No. 2 Johnston on Friday at Ankeny. Jacks is averaging 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She has committed just one turnover on the season. Jacks is the team's best … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Karsen Jacks, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Winter
Schwebach wins 2 events, leads Ankeny to 3rd-place finish at Wittmer Invite
Only 62 points separated the top four teams in the Mike Wittmer Invitational boys' swimming meet on Saturday at Ames. Pleasant Valley won the team title with 378 points, edging defending champion Ames by 17 points. Ankeny was third in the eight-team field with 326 points, followed by Cedar Falls with 306. "It was definitely hit or miss in terms of … [Read more...] about Schwebach wins 2 events, leads Ankeny to 3rd-place finish at Wittmer Invite
Bruhl, Cody Vandermark claim titles; Jaguars place 4th at Mustang Invite
This isn't the same Ankeny Centennial wrestling team that opponents will see later in the season. That's what coach Jay Groth is hoping anyway. The Jaguars placed fourth among 14 teams in the Andy Davidson Mustang Invitational on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They finished with 184.5 points. "We had some guys who overperformed and some guys who … [Read more...] about Bruhl, Cody Vandermark claim titles; Jaguars place 4th at Mustang Invite
‘We just couldn’t get the lid off the rim’: Hawks struggle late in loss to Johnston
Brandt Carlson isn't too concerned about his team's 0-2 start. The Ankeny boys' basketball coach knows that the Hawks will continue to improve. "We're getting better in some ways, but it's just not showing up in the win column," said Carlson. "But I like our team." The Hawks dropped a 61-45 decision to visiting Johnston in a CIML Conference game on … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t get the lid off the rim’: Hawks struggle late in loss to Johnston
Without injured Moser, Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short against No. 2 Johnston
For more than a half, the Ankeny girls' basketball team had defending Class 5A state champion Johnston on the ropes on Friday night. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes jumped out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter and held a 30-27 advantage at halftime before No. 2 Johnston took control and pulled away for a 68-59 victory in a CIML Conference game at Ankeny. The … [Read more...] about Without injured Moser, Hawkettes’ valiant effort falls short against No. 2 Johnston
‘This is a great start to the season’: Ankeny bowling teams sweep Johnston
For the first time since the 2020-21 season, the Ankeny boys' and girls' bowling teams both enjoyed a victory on the same day. The two squads opened their season on Thursday with narrow wins over Johnston at Game Day Lanes. The Hawks won by a score of 2,464 to 2,428, while the Hawkettes prevailed by a 2,063 to 1,931 margin. "I was very happy with how … [Read more...] about ‘This is a great start to the season’: Ankeny bowling teams sweep Johnston
Ankeny swimmers drop 101-69 decision to two-time defending state champs
At least the Ankeny boys' swimming team won't have to see Waukee again until 2023. The Hawks dropped a 101-69 decision to the two-time defending state champions in a CIML Conference dual meet on Thursday at the Waukee YMCA. Ankeny competed against the Warriors for the second time in two weeks. Waukee easily won the season-opening Ankeny Sprint … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers drop 101-69 decision to two-time defending state champs
‘It’s pretty gratifying’: Hawk matmen open season with 39-32 win at No. 3 Johnston
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
‘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