Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Some early observations from the high school basketball season

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Is it too early to make some observations about what has transpired in the first month of the high school basketball season? It could be, but that's not going to stop Ankeny Fanatic from doing just that. Here are some random thoughts from what I've seen thus far on the hardcourts in the CIML: * The Ankeny Centennial boys' team is a legitimate … [Read more...] about Some early observations from the high school basketball season

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Zane Holmen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

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Junior Zane Holmen is a member of the Ankeny boys' swimming team. Holmen placed seventh in the 500 freestyle and ninth in the 200 freestyle in the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City. He helped the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the eight-team field. "Zane has done an excellent job filling in for the 200 and 500 freestyle events," said … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Zane Holmen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

Frandson enjoys huge day, outduels Bettendorf’s Bunn at Little Hawk Invite

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Saturday's Little Hawk Invitational at Iowa City featured many of the state's top swimmers. Four meet records were set at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center, three of them by top-ranked Iowa City West. The Trojans won the meet with 426 points. No. 2 Ankeny placed second in the eight-team field with 358 points. No. 5 Bettendorf was third with 291. Trent … [Read more...] about Frandson enjoys huge day, outduels Bettendorf’s Bunn at Little Hawk Invite

Anderson wins rematch against Fousek; Hawks finish 10th at Battle of Waterloo

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The Ankeny wrestling team came away from the Battle of Waterloo last weekend with a 4-2 record. More importantly, the prestigious two-day tournament challenged the fifth-ranked Hawks. "We do something similar at Independence (with the Cliff Keen Invitational), and there's another tournament that is like that and that's the state tournament," said … [Read more...] about Anderson wins rematch against Fousek; Hawks finish 10th at Battle of Waterloo

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jordan Kumm, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Jordan Kumm has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 5-1 record. He is averaging 12.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and he is tied for the team lead in steals with 10. Kumm scored four points on Friday as the Hawks posted a 64-50 victory at Urbandale. His basket in the second quarter stopped an 8-0 run by the J-Hawks and ignited … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jordan Kumm, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Hawks turn up defensive pressure, pull away for 64-50 win at Urbandale

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Friday's game wasn't about the X's and the O's for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. It had more to do with effort and teamwork. "That game was really about us competing as a team," senior guard Jaxon Smith said after the Hawks posted a 64-50 victory at Urbandale. "Just getting everyone involved, and it was fun playing with everybody." Braxton … [Read more...] about Hawks turn up defensive pressure, pull away for 64-50 win at Urbandale

Hot-shooting Urbandale girls hand Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team tried to counter Urbandale's superior size with a zone defense. The ninth-ranked J-Hawks spoiled the strategy with some deadly outside shooting. Urbandale made nine 3-point goals and defeated the visiting Hawkettes, 65-50, in a CIML Central Conference game on Friday. Jada Gyamfi and Faith Putz each had a trio of … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Urbandale girls hand Hawkettes their 3rd straight loss

Centennial wins final 3 matches to top Ankeny in Jag-Hawk showdown

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After switching places in the latest Class 3A rankings by The Predicament, eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 5 Ankeny may have to revert back to their preseason spots. The visiting Jaguars won the final three matches to defeat Ankeny, 38-29, in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams on Thursday. It was Centennial's seventh win in eight … [Read more...] about Centennial wins final 3 matches to top Ankeny in Jag-Hawk showdown

Jag-Hawk dual could be determined by outcome of several swing matches

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Thursday's wrestling showdown between fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 8 Ankeny will likely be decided by the outcome of several toss-up matches. The crosstown rivals will meet for their annual clash at 7:30 p.m. at Ankeny High School. Centennial brings a 6-1 record into the CIML Central Conference opener, while Ankeny has a 2-1 mark. "Both teams … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk dual could be determined by outcome of several swing matches

Ankeny teams bowl season-best scores, but still fall to Urbandale

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Despite posting season-best scores, the Ankeny bowling teams came up short in their dual meet against Urbandale on Tuesday at Great Escape. The J-Hawks won the boys' meet by just 20 pins--2,986 to 2,966. They also won the girls' meet by a score of 2,563 to 2,401. "What a match this was. It was an absolute blast to watch and be a part of," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams bowl season-best scores, but still fall to Urbandale

‘We’re glad to have him back’: Bayless returns to lineup, leads Hawks to win

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Braxton Bayless watched from the bench as the Ankeny boys' basketball team got off to a 3-1 start this season. The Hawks' top returning scorer and rebounder sat out the first four games after violating the school's good conduct policy. "It was real hard and very tough to watch my brothers battle without me," said Bayless. The senior point guard made … [Read more...] about ‘We’re glad to have him back’: Bayless returns to lineup, leads Hawks to win

‘Fearless’ Hawkettes battle back, but fall short against No. 2 S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team took a step forward Tuesday night despite suffering a 74-61 loss to visiting Southeast Polk. The second-ranked Rams shot 61.3 percent from the field, including 11-of-19 from 3-point range, while raising their record to 7-0. But Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly was not unhappy with his team's defensive effort. "I actually … [Read more...] about ‘Fearless’ Hawkettes battle back, but fall short against No. 2 S.E. Polk

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore Braden Simonsen has helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 4-1 record. He is averaging 2.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Simonsen scored six points in the Hawks' 57-43 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Dec. 6. He had three points and three rebounds in his team's 62-60 overtime win at Des Moines Lincoln on Dec. 10. "Braden has … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Hawks crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Frank Baltzley Invitational

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All things considered, the Ankeny wrestling team had a pretty good day Saturday in the Frank Baltzley Invitational at Johnston. The eighth-ranked Hawks crowned three individual champions and placed second in the 12-team field with 188 points. No. 10 Johnston won the tournament with 227.5. "I think our kids were wore out," said Ankeny coach Jack … [Read more...] about Hawks crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Frank Baltzley Invitational

Maroons make 25-of-34 free throws, hand Ankeny boys their first loss

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Friday's CIML Central Conference opener between the Ankeny and Dowling Catholic boys' basketball teams turned into a free-throw shooting contest. The two squads combined for 64 free-throw attempts, including 35 in the fourth quarter alone. Four Ankeny players fouled out in the final period as the Hawks tried to rally on their home court, but Dowling held … [Read more...] about Maroons make 25-of-34 free throws, hand Ankeny boys their first loss

Clark, Gaber lead No. 3 Dowling girls past Hawkettes in conference opener

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly wasn't worried about stopping Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark heading into Friday's CIML Central Conference opener. It was fellow senior Grace Gaber who concerned McAnelly the most. "Going into the game, obviously Caitlin is going to get her (points). That's just a given," McAnelly said of Clark, the Iowa … [Read more...] about Clark, Gaber lead No. 3 Dowling girls past Hawkettes in conference opener

Hawks top Lincoln, but fail to capitalize against depleted S.E. Polk team

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Southeast Polk's vaunted wrestling team appeared to be somewhat vulnerable entering Thursday's double dual meet against Des Moines Lincoln and host Ankeny. The second-ranked Rams, who were the runner-up in last year's Class 3A state tournament, fielded a lineup that was missing several varsity regulars. "I think they had two or three kids not make … [Read more...] about Hawks top Lincoln, but fail to capitalize against depleted S.E. Polk team

‘Give Dowling credit’: Maroons hand Ankeny swimmers first loss in 2 years

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team had not lost a dual meet in nearly two years. The Hawks' unbeaten streak came to an end on Thursday with a 93-77 loss to Dowling Catholic at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Maroons used a strong finish to win the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams. "Give Dowling credit--their last three events were better than … [Read more...] about ‘Give Dowling credit’: Maroons hand Ankeny swimmers first loss in 2 years