Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Ankeny bowling teams open season with victory over Valley

by

The season is off to a good start for the Ankeny bowling teams under new head coach Lane Richtsmeier. The boys' team defeated Valley by a score of 2,879 to 2,474 on Tuesday at Great Escape. The girls' squad also won their opener against the Tigers, 2,301 to 2,276. The boys' junior varsity team was victorious as well. "As a first-time coach and my … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams open season with victory over Valley

Defending state champion Ankeny swimmers ‘won’t back down to anyone’

by

Justin Crouch knows that the Ankeny boys' swimming team is going to get every opponent's best shot. That's what happens when you're the defending state champion. "I know we have the experience from last year that will be a big help, but for us to repeat we have to continue to work and strive to get better because the other contenders out there won't … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Ankeny swimmers ‘won’t back down to anyone’

‘Grandpa’ Richtsmeier takes over as head coach of Ankeny bowling teams

by

The new head coach of the Ankeny bowling teams has at least one thing in common with the program's previous coach. Lane Richtsmeier has been hired to replace Hannah Munson, who moved to Fort Dodge after coaching at Ankeny for one season. The duo previously bowled together at Grand View. "We entered the same year, but I was not your traditional college … [Read more...] about ‘Grandpa’ Richtsmeier takes over as head coach of Ankeny bowling teams

Deets pours in 39 points, leads Mason City girls past Ankeny in season opener

by

Both the Ankeny and Mason City girls' basketball teams entered Friday's season opener with some question marks. The Mohawks, who are 13th in Class 4A in the preseason rankings, appear to have found some answers. Anna Deets made six of her team's 11 3-point goals and poured in 39 points to lead Mason City to an 83-61 victory at Ankeny. The senior guard … [Read more...] about Deets pours in 39 points, leads Mason City girls past Ankeny in season opener

Ankeny girls look for up-tempo attack to overcome lack of height

by

When the Ankeny girls' basketball team opens the season on Friday against visiting Mason City, the Hawkettes will try to make up for their lack of height with an up-tempo attack. Ankeny will no longer be able to rely on all-state forward Sara McCullough, who is now playing for Northern Iowa. The Hawkettes will also be without junior forward Abby Johnson … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls look for up-tempo attack to overcome lack of height

‘I can’t wait to wear the Black and Gold!”: Ankeny’s Rathjen chooses Hawkeyes

by

Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen wrestles with an aggressive mentality that fits perfectly with the Iowa wrestling style. In a couple of years, Rathjen will get his chance to wrestle for the Hawkeyes. Rathjen announced on Thursday via Twitter that he has verbally committed to join Iowa's program in 2021. "I'm very proud and excited to announce my commitment … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to wear the Black and Gold!”: Ankeny’s Rathjen chooses Hawkeyes

Ankeny’s Kallem to wrestle for NAIA powerhouse Grand View

by

Ankeny wrestler Sam Kallem has decided to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Killyan Green. Kallem announced earlier this week via Twitter that he has verbally committed to Grand View, where Green is a sophomore on the Vikings' roster. "I'd like to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Grand View University!" … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Kallem to wrestle for NAIA powerhouse Grand View

Ankeny boys’ quartet, Rumley earn all-American swimming honors

by

Five Ankeny swimmers have received all-American honors from the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association for the 2018-19 season. Boys' standouts Trent Frandson, Max Martin, Jae Swanepoel and Adam Vaske were honored along with girls' standout Jasmine Rumley. Frandson, a sophomore, earned all-American honors in four events. He led the Hawks to … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ quartet, Rumley earn all-American swimming honors

Ankeny’s Rathjen places 4th at Cadet freestyle world team trials

by

Caleb Rathjen proved once again this weekend that he belongs on the national wrestling stage. The Ankeny High School junior-to-be placed fourth at 60 kilos (132 pounds) in the Cadet freestyle world team trials at Akron, Ohio. He posted a 6-2 record at the trials, which were held at the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House. "I thought my … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen places 4th at Cadet freestyle world team trials

Centennial’s Owens to join ISU wrestling program as preferred walk-on

by

Eric Owens celebrated his birthday on Wednesday night with a trip to Hickory Park. In the next few years, the Ankeny Centennial senior will have plenty of opportunities to visit the landmark Ames restaurant. Owens verbally committed earlier this week to wrestle for Iowa State next year. He will join the Cyclones' program as a preferred walk-on. "It … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Owens to join ISU wrestling program as preferred walk-on

Anderson, Rathjen drop overtime matches in War at West Gym

by

Ankeny wrestling standouts Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen both participated in the War at West Gym on Saturday in Cedar Falls. The state champion duo both competed for Team Blue, which suffered a 32-10 loss to Team Red. The event featured 26 of the state's top boys' and girls' wrestlers. The meet was sponsored by IAWrestle.com. Anderson dropped a … [Read more...] about Anderson, Rathjen drop overtime matches in War at West Gym

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Grizzle, ACA boys’ basketball

by

Senior center Caleb Grizzle led the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 23-1 record. He had 15 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks and four assists as the Eagles ended their season with a 58-56 loss to Council Bluffs St. Albert in a Class 1A substate final on Feb. 25 at Adel. The 6-foot-7 Grizzle averaged a team-high 17.0 points, 8.3 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Grizzle, ACA boys’ basketball

Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough

by

The CIML Central Conference boys' basketball first team includes a trio of players from Ankeny. Senior guard Dillon Carlson and junior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny were both named to the team along with junior forward Cody McCullough of Ankeny Centennial. The all-conference teams were selected by the league's coaches. Bayless led the Hawks to a 13-8 … [Read more...] about Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny girls’ basketball

by

Isabelle Vacek was one of the top reserves on the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The junior post player helped the Hawkettes to a 9-12 record this season. She scored a career-high 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 63-24 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Nov. 27. Vacek averaged 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. She made 63.9 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Drake Bennett, Ankeny boys’ basketball

by

Drake Bennett is a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The senior forward helped Ankeny to a 13-8 record, including a 5-5 mark in the CIML Central Conference. The Hawks ended their season with a 68-64 loss to visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. Bennett averaged 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Drake Bennett, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

by

Every time the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a loss this season, head coach Brant Carlson was hoping that it would be a learning lesson for the Hawks. When Ankeny closed out the regular season on Friday with a 71-68 loss at Mason City, Carlson was again hoping that his team could bounce back with the start of postseason play three days … [Read more...] about Late rally falls short; Hawks end season with loss to Roosevelt

Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

by

If the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams want to experience some March Madness, they'll first have to pull off some upsets in February. Both squads will begin postseason play on Monday at home, but the Hawks and Jaguars will then likely have to defeat two higher-seeded teams to qualify for the state tournament, which will be held on … [Read more...] about Postseason play begins tonight at home for Hawks, Jaguars

SOLID GOLD: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson capture state wrestling titles

by

Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall waited six years to crown his first individual state champion. He only had to wait about 30 minutes for his second one. Ankeny's top-ranked duo of Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen each won a title in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena, leading the Hawks to their best finish since the … [Read more...] about SOLID GOLD: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson capture state wrestling titles

McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East

by

Dru McAnelly is a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who defeated Rutgers on Saturday on a miracle 3-pointer at the buzzer. About 30 minutes before Joe Weiskamp banked in the game-winner for the Hawkeyes from the corner, McAnelly's Ankeny girls' basketball team was in a similar position, down two points with the ball in the final seconds. However, the … [Read more...] about McCullough scores 1,000th career point in Hawkettes’ season-ending loss to East