Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch feels a lot better about his team following the Hawks' 139-31 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference dual meet on Tuesday. Ankeny won all 11 events and swept the top three places in seven of the eight individual races. "Going into this meet, I knew we had a lot of guys competing for varsity spots," … [Read more...] about ‘Hungry’ Hawk swimmers roll to victory at Roosevelt despite Swanepoel’s absence
Winter
Two-time champ Anderson among 8 returning state qualifiers for Hawks
Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson has a chance to make some history this season. The senior could become the first three-time state champion ever produced by the city of Ankeny. "His goal was to be committed before the season started, and he did that by signing with (coach) Doug Schwab and the Northern Iowa Panthers," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. … [Read more...] about Two-time champ Anderson among 8 returning state qualifiers for Hawks
FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North
Jadyn Filling didn't hesitate when she had an open look at the basket. The senior guard drained a huge 3-point goal with 3 minutes 32 seconds left, sparking a late 11-2 run that lifted the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 44-40 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Monday. "I was struggling with confidence coming into this game, but I really feel … [Read more...] about FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Jenna Pitz is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team as a sophomore, when she averaged 9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Pitz scored 12 points and had two steals in Ankeny's 59-45 loss to fifth-ranked Southeast Polk in its season opener on Tuesday. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign
There won't be any break for Ankeny football standouts Ryan Crandall, JJ Kohl and Braden Simonsen. After helping the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A playoffs on the gridiron earlier this month, the trio has made a quick transition to the basketball court. The Ankeny boys' squad will open its season on Friday with a difficult road test at Ames, … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign
Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup
The Ankeny bowling teams opened the season on Tuesday by splitting a matchup against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. The Ankeny boys' squad edged the Maroons by a score of 2,328 to 2,289. Dowling won the girls' contest by a score of 1,865 to 1,435. "It was a hard-fought victory for the boys' team as it came down (the last three) frames of … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup
Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes
A few days ago, Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly said he thought he could have a pretty good basketball team by mid-January. If Tuesday's season opener against fifth-ranked Southeast Polk was any indication, it's not going to take that long. Ankeny battled the visiting Rams on even terms for much of the game before Southeast Polk pulled away … [Read more...] about Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes
Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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