Ava Martin booted the Missouri Western women's soccer team to unprecedented heights on Saturday. The former Ankeny Centennial star scored the golden goal in overtime to give the fourth-seeded Griffons a 2-1 victory over No. 6-seed Central Oklahoma in the championship game of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) tournament at the … [Read more...] about Martin delivers golden goal in OT to send Missouri Western to NCAA Div. II tourney
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Iowa Central forward Hilton named ICCAC Division II Women’s Soccer Player of Year
McKenna Hilton scored a total of 17 goals during her high school soccer career at Ankeny Centennial. Now a sophomore forward at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Hilton has continued to find the net for the Tritons. She helped the team to an 11-6 record this season, including a 7-2 mark in the Iowa Community College Athletic … [Read more...] about Iowa Central forward Hilton named ICCAC Division II Women’s Soccer Player of Year
Ex-Jag Miller named Freshman of Year in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
It didn't take long for former Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Delaney Miller to make an impact on the NCAA Division II level. The Wayne State (Neb.) outside hitter has been named Freshman of the Year in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. She was also selected to the all-NSIC first team after recording 10 or more kills in 14 of 18 league … [Read more...] about Ex-Jag Miller named Freshman of Year in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
‘It’s been quite a ride’: Ex-Hawk star Bauer to celebrate his Senior Day on Saturday
Former Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer's college football career has been a long and winding journey. After spending three years at Central Michigan and another at Sam Houston State, Bauer has played his final season for the University of Tennessee at Martin. He will celebrate his Senior Day on Saturday when the Skyhawks host Charleston Southern in their … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been quite a ride’: Ex-Hawk star Bauer to celebrate his Senior Day on Saturday
Johnson’s transition to Division I level off to good start on Pioneers’ road trip
Carson Johnson's transition to the NCAA Division I level is off to a good start. The former Ankeny basketball star has scored a total of 27 points in his first two games at Denver University after transferring from Minnesota State-Moorhead. The Pioneers have lost their first two games on a season-opening road trip under first-year coach Tim Bergstraser, … [Read more...] about Johnson’s transition to Division I level off to good start on Pioneers’ road trip
PK ends Bulldogs’ season, but Pennington earns all-conference first-team honors
The season came to an end on Thursday for Alanna Pennington and the Drake women's soccer team. The top-seeded Bulldogs dropped a 1-0 decision to Illinois State in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines. A late penalty kick in the 85th minute from the Redbirds' Abby Hall proved to be the difference in … [Read more...] about PK ends Bulldogs’ season, but Pennington earns all-conference first-team honors
Baethke accepts Hall of Fame award on behalf of Inderski, her ex-Urbandale star
Former Urbandale star Kyla Inderski was inducted into the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Volleyball Hall of Fame on Thursday during the state tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, who coached at Urbandale for 23 years before taking over the Hawkettes' program in 2023, accepted the award on behalf of her former player. … [Read more...] about Baethke accepts Hall of Fame award on behalf of Inderski, her ex-Urbandale star
‘It was a bittersweet day’: Eagles place 3rd at state, but will have to replace 3 seniors
For the second year in a row, the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' cross country team captured a trophy at the Class 1A state meet. The third-ranked Eagles scored 124 points on Saturday to earn a third-place finish at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. It followed the team's runner-up finish a year ago. "It was a bittersweet day for sure," said ACA … [Read more...] about ‘It was a bittersweet day’: Eagles place 3rd at state, but will have to replace 3 seniors
Pennington, Drake women defeat Salukis to wrap up MVC regular season crown
Alanna Pennington and the Drake women's soccer team captured the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title with a 1-0 victory over Southern Illinois on Thursday afternoon at Mediacom Stadium. It's the eighth regular season crown in program history and the second in the last three seasons for the Bulldogs, who finished 6-2-1 in the conference and … [Read more...] about Pennington, Drake women defeat Salukis to wrap up MVC regular season crown
‘We just couldn’t quite get over the hump’: Eagles’ 1A reign ends with loss to BCLUW
Ankeny Christian Academy's volleyball dominance in Class 1A has come to an end. The seventh-ranked Eagles were denied a fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament on Wednesday at Nevada, where they dropped a 25-16, 25-23, 23-25, 25-16 decision to No. 6 BCLUW in a Class 1A regional final. The Comets (36-8) ended ACA's three-year reign as state … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t quite get over the hump’: Eagles’ 1A reign ends with loss to BCLUW
ACA sweeps Warhawks, will play BCLUW in rematch for trip to state tournament
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Ankeny Christian Academy’s route back to Coralville includes two championship rematches from last season, and the Eagles have already survived the first one. Seventh-ranked ACA swept visiting Southeast Warren (25-14, 25-15, 25-15) in Monday’s Class 1A regional semifinal to set up a Region 8 championship match against No. 6 … [Read more...] about ACA sweeps Warhawks, will play BCLUW in rematch for trip to state tournament
ACA boys’ cross country team earns trip to Fort Dodge by dominating district meet
The Ankeny Christian Academy boys' cross country team is headed back to the Class 1A state meet. The third-ranked Eagles, who placed second in Class 1A a year ago, easily won a district title on Thursday at South Hamilton. They swept the top three places in the 5K race and scored 31 points, finishing far ahead of runner-up North Butler Greene (122 … [Read more...] about ACA boys’ cross country team earns trip to Fort Dodge by dominating district meet
Eagles roll past Martensdale-St. Marys, will host SE Warren in regional semifinal
The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team has yet to be tested in postseason play. The seventh-ranked Eagles cruised to a 25-13, 25-10, 25-13 victory over visiting Martensdale-St. Marys in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal on Wednesday. The Blue Devils scored a total of 36 points in the match--just 10 more than Melcher-Dallas managed to score in a … [Read more...] about Eagles roll past Martensdale-St. Marys, will host SE Warren in regional semifinal
‘We always serve aggressive’: Eagles rack up 22 aces in sweep over Melcher-Dallas
Ankeny Christian Academy took a successful first step toward a fourth consecutive state volleyball championship. The seventh-ranked Eagles rolled to a 25-10, 25-7, 25-9 victory over visiting Melcher-Dallas in the opening round of a Class 1A regional tournament on Monday. ACA had defeated the Saints by almost identical scores in the Bluegrass Conference … [Read more...] about ‘We always serve aggressive’: Eagles rack up 22 aces in sweep over Melcher-Dallas
Wartburg’s Sash named Defensive Player of the Week for 2nd time this season
Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Anna Sash was named the American Rivers Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 13 for the second time this season. The Wartburg College sophomore middle hitter was also honored on Sept. 29. Sash showcased her dominance at the net, recording nine total blocks across a pair of Wartburg victories — a … [Read more...] about Wartburg’s Sash named Defensive Player of the Week for 2nd time this season
Akers catches his first collegiate pass for 7-yard touchdown in Huskies’ loss at Ohio
Devon Akers will never forget the first reception of his college football career. The former Ankeny standout caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Josh Holst during the second quarter of Northern Illinois' 48-21 loss at Ohio on Saturday afternoon. It was the second career game for the tight end, who sat out his initial season in 2024 as a … [Read more...] about Akers catches his first collegiate pass for 7-yard touchdown in Huskies’ loss at Ohio
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ella Leever, Ankeny Christian volleyball
Senior outside hitter and defensive specialist Ella Leever has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a 25-13 record. The Eagles posted a 25-14, 25-9, 25-19 victory over Moravia on Thursday to win the Bluegrass Conference championship at Seymour. Leever leads the Eagles with 215 kills and 277 digs. She has also contributed 28 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ella Leever, Ankeny Christian volleyball
‘We’re excited for the season’: Ex-Jaguar Churchman gets fresh start with Cougars
Former Ankeny Centennial all-stater Damin Churchman is happy to be back on the baseball field. For awhile, Churchman wasn't sure if he would ever play again. After graduating from Centennial in 2023, Churchman spent one year at Upper Iowa University--where he sat out the season as a redshirt due to arm problems. "I ultimately left because (Upper … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited for the season’: Ex-Jaguar Churchman gets fresh start with Cougars
‘I was composed’: Kohl gets his first start, helps App State to 27-23 win over Beavers
JJ Kohl's first collegiate start produced a huge victory for the Appalachian State football team. The former Ankeny and Iowa State quarterback passed for one touchdown and ran for another to help the Mountaineers to a 27-23 win over Oregon State before a crowd of 35,021 on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C. "It was very emotional," said … [Read more...] about ‘I was composed’: Kohl gets his first start, helps App State to 27-23 win over Beavers
Cyclones’ Smith begins collegiate tennis career with pair of wins at ISU tourney
Former Ankeny tennis star Kira Smith made a successful collegiate debut on Friday. Iowa State opened its first-ever home fall tournament by going undefeated in singles on day one of the event. Smith, a freshman who won the Class 2A state singles title last spring, posted a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Addison Renfro of Kansas State. Smith also teamed up with … [Read more...] about Cyclones’ Smith begins collegiate tennis career with pair of wins at ISU tourney