Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

Hawk swimmers return 8 state qualifiers from last year’s 3rd-place team

by

It's going to be difficult for the Ankeny boys' swimming team to surpass the accomplishments of last year's squad. However, the Hawks may just have the talent to do it. Most of the top performers from a team that tied for third place at the state meet are back this season. It was the Hawks' highest finish ever under coach Justin Crouch. "Finishing … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers return 8 state qualifiers from last year’s 3rd-place team

McCullough, Hawkettes look to build on last year’s success

by

The Ankeny girls' basketball team advanced to a Class 5A regional final last year for the first time since the split into two high schools. The Hawkettes also reached double digits in victories for the first time, finishing with an 11-12 record in their second season under coach Dru McAnelly. Now, McAnelly's goal is to take the program to even greater … [Read more...] about McCullough, Hawkettes look to build on last year’s success

New Ankeny bowling coach ‘excited to begin journey’

by

Hannah Munson is anxious to get to work with the Ankeny boys' and girls' bowling teams. The Hawks and Hawkettes will begin practice on Wednesday under the direction of Munson, who was named the head coach of the bowling program in July. She becomes Ankeny's sixth different head coach in the last six years. "We've had some tryouts, and all of the kids … [Read more...] about New Ankeny bowling coach ‘excited to begin journey’

Former Grand View standout Munson named Ankeny bowling coach

by

Hannah Munson has already enjoyed plenty of success as a bowler. Now, the Minnesota native is hoping to become a successful coach as well. Munson has been named the head coach of Ankeny's boys' and girls' bowling teams. Her hiring was approved by the Ankeny School Board on Monday. "I'm very excited," Munson said. "My parents coached a lot for our … [Read more...] about Former Grand View standout Munson named Ankeny bowling coach

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Abby Johnson, Ankeny girls’ basketball

by

Abby Johnson of the Ankeny girls' basketball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. The freshman forward helped the Hawkettes to an 11-12 record, their best season since the split into two high schools. She averaged 1.8 points and 0.6 rebounds per game. Johnson went 2-for-2 from 3-point range and scored six points to spark … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Abby Johnson, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ben Lyon, Ankeny boys’ basketball

by

  Ben Lyon is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior wing helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to an 8-15 record this season. Lyon averaged 10.7 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game. He also led the Hawks in assists (3.5) and blocks (2.2). Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ben Lyon, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Locure scores 36 points, leads North boys to win over Hawks

by

If the Des Moines North boys' basketball team continues to play like it did on Friday night, the Polar Bears may have a good chance to cut down the nets in two weeks at Wells Fargo Arena. Tyreke Locure poured in 36 points to lead North to an 87-73 victory over visiting Ankeny in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Polar Bears (20-3) will play Johnston … [Read more...] about Locure scores 36 points, leads North boys to win over Hawks

McAnelly tells Hawkettes, ‘Don’t you dare put your heads down’ after season-ending loss

by

The Dowling Catholic girls' basketball team entered Tuesday's Class 5A regional final against visiting Ankeny as a prohibitive favorite. That didn't make the Hawkettes' season-ending loss any easier to swallow. The third-ranked Maroons got 30 points from sophomore sensation Caitlin Clark and pulled away in the second half for a 68-41 victory to advance … [Read more...] about McAnelly tells Hawkettes, ‘Don’t you dare put your heads down’ after season-ending loss

Ankeny’s Sears, Tetmeyer named to all-district first team

by

Two Ankeny bowlers have been named to the Class 3A West all-district first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Senior Sydney Sears and freshman Isabel Tetmeyer were among the six bowlers selected to the first team. They were joined on the squad by Chantelle Foster and Madison Singleton of Johnston, Maddie Peterson of Waukee and Marissa Gates of … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Sears, Tetmeyer named to all-district first team

Valley’s Young, Dowling’s Clark to provide huge tests for Jaguars, Hawkettes

by

In order to reach the state tournament, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball teams will both have to figure out a way to slow down one of the nation's top players. The fifth-ranked Jaguars (19-3) will host No. 12 Valley (12-10) in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at 7 p.m. It will be a matchup of the last two state champions--Centennial … [Read more...] about Valley’s Young, Dowling’s Clark to provide huge tests for Jaguars, Hawkettes

Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller

by

Overcoming adversity has become a way of life for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks, who got off to a 1-10 start this season, avenged two of those losses with a 48-46 victory at Ames in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Monday. They rallied from an early 10-point deficit despite playing without sophomore forward Nolan Otten, who tripped at his … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys edge Little Cyclones in substate thriller

Hawks, Jaguars to begin postseason play with rematches

by

The boys' basketball postseason gets under way for the Class 4A teams on Monday night. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will face a rematch in the quarterfinal round. The third-seeded Jaguars (13-8) host sixth-seeded Des Moines Lincoln (5-17) at 7 p.m. The Railsplitters have lost 10 of their last 11 games, including a 66-52 decision at Centennial in the … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars to begin postseason play with rematches

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny wrestling

by

Caleb Rathjen is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The Ankeny freshman placed second at 113 pounds in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Rathjen advanced to the finals before dropping a 10-8 decision to top-ranked Nick Oldham of Valley in a seesaw match. He compiled a 20-2 record … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny wrestling

Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey

by

Apparently, there is a second girls' basketball coach in Ankeny who likes to celebrate big victories by doing the Hokey Pokey. Scott DeJong started the tradition during his long run at Ankeny High School, where he guided the Hawkettes to six state championships. He then continued the ritual when he moved across town to Ankeny Centennial, where he led the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey

Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title

by

On Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena, Caleb Rathjen was 2 minutes away from winning his first state wrestling title. Now, the Ankeny freshman will have to wait 365 days to get another shot at winning a crown. Valley's top-ranked Nick Oldham rallied in the third period to beat the second-ranked Rathjen, 10-8, in the Class 3A championship match at 113 … [Read more...] about Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title

Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks

by

Ankeny senior Spencer Anderson closed out his wrestling career in style. Ankeny Centennial sophomore Logan Neils showed that his career is just beginning to blossom. Neils earned a fourth-place finish at 160 pounds in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Anderson finished seventh at 132 with a 9-7 decision over 10th-ranked … [Read more...] about Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks

Hawks ‘run out of gas’ in loss to Dowling Catholic

by

In its regular-season finale, the Ankeny boys' basketball team showed just how dangerous the Hawks can be during postseason play. Visiting Dowling Catholic also demonstrated its potential to be a contender for the Class 4A state title. Ankeny made five 3-point goals while jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first half before the Maroons rallied … [Read more...] about Hawks ‘run out of gas’ in loss to Dowling Catholic