Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

‘It’s a testament to our girls’: Hawkettes’ furious rally falls short at No. 8 Waukee

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A furious rally by the Ankeny girls' basketball team came up short in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday at Waukee. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half before No. 8 Waukee held on for a 62-57 victory. "I just wanted our girls to have a shot at the end, and I felt like they did," said Ankeny coach Nate … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a testament to our girls’: Hawkettes’ furious rally falls short at No. 8 Waukee

Ankeny bowling teams to begin season under new coach at new home venue

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The Ankeny bowling teams will open their season on Thursday by hosting a CIML Conference dual meet against Johnston at B-Roll Bowling, which is now the home venue for both programs. Ankeny also has a new head coach in Nick Payton, who took over the programs following the departure of Lane Richtsmeier after four seasons. "The bowlers have been excited … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams to begin season under new coach at new home venue

Ankeny wrestlers look to reload after graduating 4 state placewinners

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The Ankeny wrestling team suffered some heavy losses to graduation last spring, forcing coach Jack Wignall to fill some holes in the Hawks' lineup. Five of the squad's nine state qualifiers and four of the six placewinners will have to be replaced. "We did lose a talented group of seniors," said Wignall. "They won a lot of matches and scored … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers look to reload after graduating 4 state placewinners

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Sophomore guard Jayla Williams has helped the 13th-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 2-0 start. Williams scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Hawkettes' 60-55 overtime victory against No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday at Ankeny. She is averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad

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Even though the Ankeny boys' basketball team struggled to a 9-15 record last year, head coach Brandt Carlson didn't view it as a disappointing season. "I guess if we view every season through the lens of wins and losses, then last year wasn't ideal," he said. "But I believe that last year our players moved our program forward and handled a lot of … [Read more...] about Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad

The Karsen Jacks Show: Senior scores career-high 30 points in Ankeny’s OT win

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The girls' basketball matchup between 13th-ranked Ankeny and No. 6 Cedar Falls was expected to feature three of the state's top 50 players, according to The Des Moines Register. Instead, Tuesday's game turned into The Karsen Jacks Show. The senior guard scored 23 of her career-high 30 points after halftime and the host Hawkettes rallied from a 13-point … [Read more...] about The Karsen Jacks Show: Senior scores career-high 30 points in Ankeny’s OT win

Ankeny swimmers place 3rd at Sprint Invitational behind Waukee, Valley

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Tuesday's Sprint Invitational at Trail Point Aquatics Center gave the Ankeny boys' swimming team a huge test right off the bat. The six-team meet featured three of the top four finishers from last year's state meet. "It was a great start to the season!" said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "It was cool to see the stands packed with fans to see a lot of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers place 3rd at Sprint Invitational behind Waukee, Valley

With 7 returning state qualifiers, Ankeny swimmers look to contend for crowns

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Even with the graduation of Lance Swanepoel, the Ankeny boys' swimming team still boasts plenty of talent. The Hawks placed fourth in last year's state meet with 160 points, but will have to replace Swanepoel, who was named the Swim Athlete of the Year after winning both the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly to finish his career as a five-time state … [Read more...] about With 7 returning state qualifiers, Ankeny swimmers look to contend for crowns

Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday

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A long road trip to Spencer resulted in a season-opening victory for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes forced 27 turnovers and rolled to a 73-22 win in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon. "It was just a great opportunity for us to compete and spend some time together. It worked out well," said first-year Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday

‘They believe in themselves’: Hawkettes look to improve under new coach Tobey

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New Ankeny girls' basketball coach Nate Tobey won't have to wait much longer to unveil his squad. The Hawkettes will open their season on Saturday with a non-conference game at Spencer. Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. "The practices are going very well," said Tobey, who was previously an assistant for the boys' team. "We had an active offseason, and that has … [Read more...] about ‘They believe in themselves’: Hawkettes look to improve under new coach Tobey

Ankeny point guard Johnson to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead

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Ankeny senior point guard Carson Johnson has verbally committed to play basketball at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Johnson announced his decision on social media Tuesday. "I am excited to announce that I will further my academic and basketball career at Minnesota State University Moorhead!" he wrote. "Thank you to my family for the endless … [Read more...] about Ankeny point guard Johnson to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead

‘Xavier was my clear first choice’: Schwebach to swim for Musketeers

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Ankeny boys' swimming standout Owen Schwebach has verbally committed to Xavier University in Cincinnati. Schwebach, a senior-to-be, picked the Musketeers over the University of Denver and Lindenwood University. "After my visit, Xavier was my clear first choice," said Schwebach. "I loved the size of the campus, the team atmosphere, and the support for … [Read more...] about ‘Xavier was my clear first choice’: Schwebach to swim for Musketeers

Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year

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Ankeny boys' swimming star Lance Swanepoel has earned all-American honors in the 100 butterfly for the fourth consecutive year. Swanepoel was named an all-American in four events by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. The Wisconsin recruit was an 11-time all-American in his high school career. Swanepoel ranked fifth nationally in … [Read more...] about Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year

‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas

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Ankeny girls' basketball standout Savannah Gage has had more time to consider her college options while she recovers from an ACL Injury. On Saturday, the junior-to-be announced her verbal commitment to the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities. "I had several different opportunities to play at the Division I level, and I am grateful for each and … [Read more...] about ‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas

After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs

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Former Ankeny assistant boys' coach Dustin Rhoads has been named the head coach of the Ankeny boys' and girls' swimming programs. Rhoads was the associate head coach at Luther College for the last three years, helping both the men's and women's programs to American Rivers Conference championships in 2021-23. "I've had a great time at Luther," Rhoads … [Read more...] about After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs

Ankeny boys’ hoops assistant Tobey named head girls’ basketball coach

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The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' basketball team is very familiar with the Hawkettes' program. Nate Tobey has been hired to replace Dru McAnelly. He spent the last seven seasons as an assistant for the Ankeny boys' team. "I don't see any reason why we can't compete at the highest level in the CIML," said Tobey. "I'm just looking forward to … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ hoops assistant Tobey named head girls’ basketball coach

‘It’s such a huge part of my life’: Anderson decides to wrestle, commits to Mavericks

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Jace Anderson has rediscovered his love for the sport of wrestling. The Ankeny senior has committed to wrestle for Minnesota State-Mankato, an NCAA Division II program. "I think the toughest part of the decision was deciding to wrestle in college," said Anderson, a four-time state qualifier and a three-time placewinner. "After state, I was devastated … [Read more...] about ‘It’s such a huge part of my life’: Anderson decides to wrestle, commits to Mavericks

‘The coaches really made me feel wanted’: Wehde to play for Central

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Ankeny senior Karson Wehde is hoping to get back on the basketball court later this month. At least now he knows where he'll be playing next season. Wehde has verbally committed to play for Central College. He announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "I am blessed to announce my commitment to further my academic and basketball career at … [Read more...] about ‘The coaches really made me feel wanted’: Wehde to play for Central