Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational

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Tuesday's Ankeny Sprint Invitational gave the Ankeny boys' swimming team an early chance to see how the Hawks stack up against some of the state's top squads. Defending state champion Waukee won the six-team meet with 473 points. Valley placed second with 405 points, followed by Ankeny with 373. "There definitely was a lot of fast swimming in the pool … [Read more...] about Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational

Challenging season ahead for Richtsmeier, Ankeny bowling teams

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Ankeny bowling coach Lane Richtsmeier is still trying to determine his lineups for Tuesday's season opener against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. Right now, Richtsmeier doesn't have enough female bowlers for a full girls' varsity squad. "We have 27 total kids out but only four girls at the moment--with some possible late arrivals, hopefully … [Read more...] about Challenging season ahead for Richtsmeier, Ankeny bowling teams

Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential

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It might take awhile for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to reach its potential. The Hawkettes return only two starters from a squad that posted a 10-7 record last year for the program's first winning season since the split into two high schools. "We are extremely young with only two seniors, and both of them have not played very many varsity minutes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential

Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, including a pair of all-Americans

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The cupboard is hardly bare, but the Ankeny boys' swimming team faces what appears to be a rebuilding season this winter. The Hawks have been one of the state's top programs in recent years, capturing a state title in 2019 before two consecutive runner-up finishes. But many of the standouts from those teams are gone, including Trent Frandson, an … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, including a pair of all-Americans

‘I just loved the coaching staff’: Ankeny’s Anderson to wrestle for Northern Iowa

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Two-time state wrestling champion Trever Anderson of Ankeny has made his college plans. Anderson verbally committed to Northern Iowa on Friday. He picked the Panthers over Iowa, Northern Illinois and Edinboro. "It was a tough decision at first because I really liked all the programs that were recruiting me," Anderson said. Anderson boasts a career … [Read more...] about ‘I just loved the coaching staff’: Ankeny’s Anderson to wrestle for Northern Iowa

Ankeny is No. 9 in Class 3A preseason rankings from IAwrestle.com

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The Ankeny wrestling team is ninth in Class 3A in the preseason rankings from IAwrestle.com. The Hawks boast eight ranked individuals, while Ankeny Centennial has six. Ankeny's highest ranked wrestler is two-time state champion Trever Anderson. Anderson, who won the 106-pound title as a freshman in 2019 and the 120-pound crown last season, is ranked … [Read more...] about Ankeny is No. 9 in Class 3A preseason rankings from IAwrestle.com

‘It was a no-brainer for me’: AHS swimmer Swanepoel commits to Wisconsin

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The Ankeny boys' swimming program has cranked out another high-level recruit. Junior Lance Swanepoel has verbally committed to Wisconsin. He follows in the footsteps of former teammate Trent Frandson, who is now a freshman at California. Swanepoel picked the Badgers over Louisville. He also took official visits to Florida State and Notre Dame. "It … [Read more...] about ‘It was a no-brainer for me’: AHS swimmer Swanepoel commits to Wisconsin

Changes coming in boys’ and girls’ basketball, bowling, and track and field

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Three recommendations from the joint committees of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union have been recently approved by both boards for boys' and girls' competition in basketball, bowling, and track and field. The IGHSAU Board of Directors unanimously voted the measures through at their July meeting that will … [Read more...] about Changes coming in boys’ and girls’ basketball, bowling, and track and field

Frandson, 4 other Hawk swimmers earn all-American honors from NISCA

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Five Ankeny boys' swimming standouts have received all-American honors from the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association, including Trent Frandson, who was a four-time all-American as a senior. Frandson captured his third consecutive titles in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events at the state meet on Feb. 13 at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center, where … [Read more...] about Frandson, 4 other Hawk swimmers earn all-American honors from NISCA

‘I believe I can achieve my goals there’: Neyail to play for Impact Academy

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Bentor Neyail's best basketball is still ahead of him. The Ankeny senior is hoping that a year of prep school hoops will help him reach his potential. Neyail has decided to play for Impact Academy in Las Vegas, Nev. He announced his decision via Twitter on Sunday. "What I liked about Impact was how they care about every individual athlete and focus … [Read more...] about ‘I believe I can achieve my goals there’: Neyail to play for Impact Academy

‘I ended up tearing my labrum in half’: Anderson recovering from surgery

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Two-time state wrestling champion Trever Anderson of Ankeny is recovering from shoulder surgery. Anderson, a junior, underwent surgery on March 29 to repair a torn labrum. "I ended up tearing my labrum in half," Anderson said following Monday's Jag-Hawk soccer game. "So they basically had to reconstruct it." Anderson injured his right shoulder on … [Read more...] about ‘I ended up tearing my labrum in half’: Anderson recovering from surgery

Rathjen places 4th at UWW Junior World team trials, earns all-American honors

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Ankeny wrestler Caleb Rathjen has dropped a few pounds since his runner-up finish in the Class 3A state tournament in February. He's still one of the best wrestlers in the country. Rathjen, who competed at 152 pounds as a senior, placed fourth at 65 kilograms in the UWW Junior World team trials this weekend at Coralville. He cut nearly nine pounds over … [Read more...] about Rathjen places 4th at UWW Junior World team trials, earns all-American honors

Ankeny swimmer Miner signs letter of intent with Luther College

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Ankeny swimmer Weston Miner has signed a letter of intent with Luther College. Miner was an 11-time state qualifier during his high school career. He helped the Hawks to four consecutive top-three finishes at the state meet, including a state title in 2019. Miner was a four-time state qualifier in the 100 butterfly. He earned three top-eight finishes … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmer Miner signs letter of intent with Luther College

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Erin McKenna, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Senior Erin McKenna helped the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 10-7 record this season. McKenna played in nine of the 17 games, scoring a total of 16 points. She went 7-of-14 from the field. McKenna also contributed four rebounds, two assists and three steals. "Erin was the ultimate team player!" said Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly. "She was willing … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Erin McKenna, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Ankeny’s Cox chooses Central College over Simpson, Grand View

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Ankeny wrestling standout Cael Cox has committed to Central College. Cox announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "After lots of time and consideration, I'm pumped to announce I will be part of the Central College wrestling team!" Cox tweeted. "This opportunity would not be possible without my family, teammates, and incredible coaches. Go … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Cox chooses Central College over Simpson, Grand View

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bentor Neyail, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior forward Bentor Neyail helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-10 record this season. He averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while tying for the team lead in blocks with nine. Neyail scored a career-high 13 points in the Hawks' 66-38 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover on Feb. 9. He had 10 points in a 68-64 loss at eventual … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bentor Neyail, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Crews, McAleer, Crandall named to CIML Iowa Conference first team

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For the second straight year, Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Jaron Crews has earned first-team all-conference honors from the coaches in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Crews, a senior guard, was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team along with Centennial teammate Colin McAleer, a senior forward. Junior forward Ryan Crandall of … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer, Crandall named to CIML Iowa Conference first team

Johnson, Maschoff, Phipps to compete in Senior All-Star Classic

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Three girls' basketball players from Ankeny have been selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association to play in the Senior All-Star Classic on April 10-11 in Cedar Rapids. Abby Johnson and Ellie Maschoff of Ankeny will both play in the event. Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial will also participate. Johnson and Phipps will both be members of the Class … [Read more...] about Johnson, Maschoff, Phipps to compete in Senior All-Star Classic

Phipps, Johnson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial and Abby Johnson of Ankeny were among 12 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. A total of 24 players was honored in Class 5A. Phipps, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Johnson, a senior forward, was a … [Read more...] about Phipps, Johnson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association