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Cyclones’ Smith begins collegiate tennis career with pair of wins at ISU tourney

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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

‘We’ve got a great culture here’: Ex-Hawks Harrington, Pelham thriving for SDSU

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It wasn’t that long ago when Max Pelham and Ryan Harrington found themselves booting the ball underneath the Friday Night Lights inside Ankeny Stadium. But now that pair of former all-state specialists for the Ankeny Hawks has linked up on one of the premier FCS Division I football programs in the country with the South … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got a great culture here’: Ex-Hawks Harrington, Pelham thriving for SDSU

QUICK ADJUSTMENT: Ex-ACA volleyball star makes easy transition to Div. I level

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Going from Class 1A volleyball in Iowa to the NCAA Division I level is a substantial jump. Former Ankeny Christian Academy star Katie Quick is making it look easy. The freshman setter has played in 13 of Drake's first 14 matches with three starts. She had 13 assists and nine digs on Tuesday as the Bulldogs lost to Northern Iowa, 3-1, in their home … [Read more...] about QUICK ADJUSTMENT: Ex-ACA volleyball star makes easy transition to Div. I level

Drake’s Crawford undergoes ACL and meniscus surgery after suffering injury

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Mya Crawford's college basketball debut will have to wait until 2026. The former Ankeny Centennial star will miss her freshman season at Drake after suffering an injury during practice a week ago. "I tore my ACL and meniscus," said Crawford, who attended Tuesday's volleyball match at Centennial. "Surgery is this morning. Rehab will start sometime next … [Read more...] about Drake’s Crawford undergoes ACL and meniscus surgery after suffering injury

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Curtis, Ankeny Christian baseball

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Junior pitcher and infielder Landon Curtis helped the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to a 15-11 record. The Eagles closed out their season on Tuesday with a 6-2 loss to defending state champion Lynnville-Sully in a Class 1A substate final at Newton. Curtis batted .365 with eight doubles and 17 RBIs. On the mound, he compiled a 4-1 mark with a 2.47 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Curtis, Ankeny Christian baseball

Defending state champ Lynnville-Sully ends Eagles’ season for 3rd straight year

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team feels like it's on the cusp of making its first Class 1A state tournament in program history. But the Lynnville-Sully Hawks continue to be the major roadblock that the Eagles have yet to break through. ACA had its season ended with a close game in substate play against the Hawks … [Read more...] about Defending state champ Lynnville-Sully ends Eagles’ season for 3rd straight year

‘You tip your cap to her’: Newman pitcher Kruckenberg shuts down Eagles, 2-0

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The Ankeny Christian Academy softball team entered Monday's game at Mason City Newman having scored a total of 220 runs in the previous 19 contests. But the Eagles hadn't seen a pitcher like Newman righthander Sami Kruckenberg. The hard-throwing junior tossed a two-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead the ninth-ranked Knights to a 2-0 victory over No. … [Read more...] about ‘You tip your cap to her’: Newman pitcher Kruckenberg shuts down Eagles, 2-0

‘Landon was incredible’: Eagles advance to substate final behind Curtis’ 1-hitter

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Ankeny Christian Academy's Landon Curtis promised that he would be better on the mound than his previous outing. The junior righthander delivered a masterpiece. Curtis tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the Eagles to a 6-0 victory over Baxter in a Class 1A district baseball final on Saturday at Lynnville-Sully. "We played great," said … [Read more...] about ‘Landon was incredible’: Eagles advance to substate final behind Curtis’ 1-hitter

Eagles top BCLUW, will play at Mason City Newman for trip to 1A state tournament

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Ankeny Christian Academy's Katie Quick was surprised when BCLUW elected to pitch to her during the third inning of Saturday's softball game at North Polk Middle School. The senior quickly made the Comets pay for that decision. Quick hit a three-run homer on the first pitch from Kiayre Gallentine to break a scoreless tie, and the 11th-ranked Eagles went … [Read more...] about Eagles top BCLUW, will play at Mason City Newman for trip to 1A state tournament

QUICK WORK: Eagles rout AGWSR in 4 innings behind senior’s slam, no-hitter

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Ankeny Christian Academy's Katie Quick enjoyed a night to remember on Wednesday. The senor hit a grand slam and also tossed a no-hitter to lead the 11th-ranked Eagles to a 15-0 victory over AGWSR in four innings in a Class 1A regional softball quarterfinal at North Polk Middle School. "It feels really good," said Quick, who finished with five RBIs. "I … [Read more...] about QUICK WORK: Eagles rout AGWSR in 4 innings behind senior’s slam, no-hitter

‘I’m pretty proud of them’: Eagles outlast SE Warren in 9 innings, reach district final

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With only one senior on its roster, the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team didn't have a lot of expectations this season. But the Eagles are growing up fast. First baseman Tyson Fincham hit a two-run single in the ninth inning and ACA moved two wins away from its first trip to the Class 1A state tournament with a 5-3 victory at Southeast Warren in … [Read more...] about ‘I’m pretty proud of them’: Eagles outlast SE Warren in 9 innings, reach district final

Eagles roll past Melcher-Dallas, will play in Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team used a six-run third inning to defeat Melcher-Dallas, 9-2, in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on Saturday at Southeast Warren. The Eagles (13-10) pounded out 12 hits off three Melcher-Dallas pitchers. Lucas Erickson went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and was also the winning pitcher, combining with Landon Curtis on a … [Read more...] about Eagles roll past Melcher-Dallas, will play in Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday

‘It’s a really cool opportunity’: Riordan named Central men’s basketball coach

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Former Ankeny basketball standout Conor Riordan got a call less than two weeks ago that changed his life. On the other end of the phone was Central College men's basketball coach Joe Steinkamp, who told his assistant coach that he was considering stepping down. "Not many people have given the Central program what he has. He's been an incredible mentor … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a really cool opportunity’: Riordan named Central men’s basketball coach

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Katelyn Weathers, Ankeny Christian softball

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Sophomore catcher/outfielder Katelyn Weathers has helped the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team to a 12-2 record, including an 8-1 mark in the West Division of the Bluegrass Conference. The Eagles are ranked fourth in Class 1A in their second season as a varsity program. Weathers is batting .697 with 23 hits in 33 at-bats, which is the second-highest … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Katelyn Weathers, Ankeny Christian softball

‘The bats are lively’: No. 4 Eagles erupt for school-record 21 runs, raise mark to 11-1

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2024 season was all about setting the foundation for the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team. Now, the process of building up one of Class 1A’s top programs is in motion. “It’s been great because we’ve got a lot of our players back and they already know the routine, know our drills and know what we’re looking for,” … [Read more...] about ‘The bats are lively’: No. 4 Eagles erupt for school-record 21 runs, raise mark to 11-1

Ex-Hawk Cummins named boys’ hoops coach at Bishop Heelan Catholic

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Former Ankeny boys' basketball player Trystan Cummins has been named the head boys' basketball coach at Bishop Heelan Catholic in Sioux City. Cummins, 27, will become one of the youngest head coaches in the state. "(My age) has its pros and cons," said Cummins, a 2016 AHS graduate. "I have a lot of energy to do it, but I obviously don't have all the … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Cummins named boys’ hoops coach at Bishop Heelan Catholic

ONE LAST STOP: Ex-Ankeny star Bayless to play his final season at Little Rock

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Braxton Bayless is heading a little closer to home. The former Ankeny basketball star announced earlier this week that he will play his final collegiate season at Little Rock, which is coached by former NBA player Darrell Walker, who previously coached the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. "I'm excited to be around a coaching staff with NBA … [Read more...] about ONE LAST STOP: Ex-Ankeny star Bayless to play his final season at Little Rock

‘UNI was a perfect fit’: Rathjen to wrestle for Panthers, will reunite with Anderson

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Former Ankeny wrestling star Caleb Rathjen is heading to Cedar Falls. The two-time state champion announced that he will transfer to Northern Iowa. The ex-Iowa Hawkeye will have one season of eligibility remaining. "I was looking for a place close to home that I felt I fit on with the team and the culture, and UNI was a perfect fit," said … [Read more...] about ‘UNI was a perfect fit’: Rathjen to wrestle for Panthers, will reunite with Anderson