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Baethke accepts Hall of Fame award on behalf of Inderski, her ex-Urbandale star

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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

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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

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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

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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

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(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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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