Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Healthy Hawkettes welcome Johnson back along with 3 other starters

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Ankeny senior Abby Johnson has been waiting nearly two years to get back on the basketball court. Now, she'll have to wait a little longer. Johnson, who missed her entire junior season due to a knee injury, is now fully healthy. But she and her teammates are currently unable to practice while the Ankeny school district has moved to virtual … [Read more...] about Healthy Hawkettes welcome Johnson back along with 3 other starters

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brek Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

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Senior Brek Stukerjurgen is one of the top returnees for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. He is an eight-time state placewinner. Stukerjurgen placed fourth in the 100 backstroke and sixth in the 500 freestyle at the 2020 state meet. He anchored the Hawks to a tie for third place in the 400 freestyle relay and also swam on the fifth-place 200 medley … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brek Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation

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Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson was thrilled to see the Ankeny football team claim a state championship earlier this month, even if it meant two of his top returning players wouldn't be able to practice for awhile. "I am extremely happy for coach (Rick) Nelson, the staff and team in capturing the 2020 state championship in football," Carlson … [Read more...] about Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation

Ankeny bowling teams ‘can loosen up and have a little fun’ under Richtsmeier

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For the first time in several years, the members of the Ankeny bowling teams won't have to get acquainted with a new coach. Lane Richtsmeier is back for his second season after taking over the program last year. He is Ankeny's seventh different head coach since the 2014-15 season, but is the first one of that group to return for a second campaign. "So … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams ‘can loosen up and have a little fun’ under Richtsmeier

‘At NSU I truly felt at home!’: Ankeny’s Johnson commits to play for D2 Wolves

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Ankeny girls' basketball standout Abby Johnson is anxious to take her game to the next level. Now, she knows where she'll be playing. The senior guard has verbally committed to play for Northern State, an NCAA Division II program located in Aberdeen, S.D. "I looked at a lot of schools, and it was a hard decision," said Johnson. "It ultimately came … [Read more...] about ‘At NSU I truly felt at home!’: Ankeny’s Johnson commits to play for D2 Wolves

Anderson defeats Nebraska state champ at IAWrestle’s Night of Conflict

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Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson isn't usually satisfied with just winning his match. The 2019 state champion likes to dominate his opponents. Anderson posted an impressive 7-2 decision over Nebraska prep standout Caleb Coyle in IAWrestle's Night of Conflict on Saturday at The Arena in Sioux City. But as usual, he thought he could have done even … [Read more...] about Anderson defeats Nebraska state champ at IAWrestle’s Night of Conflict

Ankeny boys, girls earn all-American honors from NISCA

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Several Ankeny male and female swimmers have earned all-American honors from the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. The top 100 times in each event nationally were recognized as all-American efforts. Junior Trent Frandson, who led the Ankeny boys' team to a second-place finish at the state meet in February, is a four-time all-American. … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys, girls earn all-American honors from NISCA

Ankeny basketball star Bayless to play for juco power Indian Hills

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Ankeny basketball standout Braxton Bayless has verbally committed to play for juco powerhouse Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. Bayless announced his decision via Twitter last week. "100% Committed #JucoProduct #Bigger Plans," he tweeted. Bayless averaged 22.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while leading the Hawks to a 21-5 record and the … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball star Bayless to play for juco power Indian Hills

Ankeny’s Frandson named Register’s Athlete of the Year for boys’ swimming

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Ankeny junior Trent Frandson was named the Athlete of the Year for boys' swimming in The Des Moines Register's Sports Awards on Thursday. Frandson led Ankeny to a runner-up finish at the state meet in February. The California recruit set a state record while winning his second straight title in the 200 freestyle and also defended his crown in the 500 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Frandson named Register’s Athlete of the Year for boys’ swimming

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny bowling teams

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In the last month, Ankeny Fanatic has unveiled its all-time Ankeny teams in boys' and girls' basketball, wrestling and boys' swimming. Now, in order to complete the winter sports, it's time to focus on bowling--the newest of the sports that are sanctioned by the high school governing bodies. The girls' program began in the 2007-08 season after the Iowa … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny bowling teams

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ swimming team

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The history of Ankeny boys' swimming dates back to the 1980s--before the Ankeny YMCA was even built. Mike Johnson graduated before Ankeny had an indoor swimming pool, so he traveled to Dowling High School twice a day for a pair of three-hour practices. He participated in high school meets in order to qualify for the state meet by swimming in Valley's … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ swimming team

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team

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(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is dedicated to longtime Des Moines Register wrestling reporter Dan McCool, who died on Monday at the age of 60. Dan was a legend in the wrestling community and will be sorely missed. I was working for the Register as a correspondent in the 80s and one of the first big events that I was asked to cover was to help out Dan with state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team

Ankeny swimming star Frandson ranked No. 14 nationally in Class of 2021

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Ankeny junior Trent Frandson is ranked among the top 20 high school swimming prospects nationally in the Class of 2021, according to the latest rankings by SwimSwam.com. Frandson, who has verbally committed to California, is ranked 14th overall. He was previously ranked 13th in the same class a year ago. Frandson is a four-time Iowa state champion. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimming star Frandson ranked No. 14 nationally in Class of 2021

Ex-Hawk Smith to play basketball at Central College

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Former Ankeny basketball player Jalen Smith has found a new home in Pella. Smith, a 6-foot-2 guard, has decided to play for Central College after sitting out the 2019-20 season. "It was difficult at first, but I was trying to find a home closer to (Ankeny)," Smith said. "I was really looking hard at Simpson and Central. It was a hard decision, but I … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Smith to play basketball at Central College

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis

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Senior Cade Davis is the top returning player for the Ankeny boys' tennis team. The Wartburg recruit was the squad's No. 1 singles player as a junior, helping the Hawks to a 3-9 record. Davis was also a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks captured the Class 4A state title last month. Here is some inside info on Davis: We've had … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis

‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team went on its magical postseason run earlier this month, perhaps nobody enjoyed it more than former Ankeny great Ryan Sears. Sears, who has lived in Omaha for the last five years, watched from afar as the Hawks captured the second state title in school history. "The way they came out and played (in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams

Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

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Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA