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‘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

Northern Illinois tight end Schutty enters transfer portal after freshman season

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Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Chase Schutty has entered the transfer portal. Schutty, a redshirt freshman tight end at Northern Illinois, announced his decision on social media Wednesday. "Dear Huskie Nation, I would like to say thank you to coach Hammock, coach White and coach Woody for giving me the opportunity to play at NIU. I'd also … [Read more...] about Northern Illinois tight end Schutty enters transfer portal after freshman season

‘I love playing for him’: Ex-Hawk Johnson to follow coach Bergstraser to Denver

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Former Ankeny basketball standout Carson Johnson is headed to the Mile High City. Johnson has committed to play for the University of Denver, which has scheduled a press conference on Wednesday to introduce Tim Bergstraser as the Pioneers' new head coach. Bergstraser went 75-22 in three seasons as the head coach at Minnesota State Moorhead, where Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘I love playing for him’: Ex-Hawk Johnson to follow coach Bergstraser to Denver

‘The margins are so thin’: UNI’s Anderson falls one win shy of all-American status

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Former Ankeny wrestling star Trever Anderson nearly earned all-American honors in his NCAA Championship debut at 125 pounds. A redshirt sophomore at Northern Iowa, Anderson bounced back from a first-round loss on Thursday with three consecutive victories in the consolation bracket at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. He advanced to the blood round on … [Read more...] about ‘The margins are so thin’: UNI’s Anderson falls one win shy of all-American status

Postseason run ends for Johnson, MSU Moorhead with loss to No. 5 Ichabods

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The amazing postseason run for Carson Johnson and the MSU Moorhead men's basketball team came to an end on Tuesday night at Lee Arena. Johnson scored a team-high 17 points, but it wasn't nearly enough as the second-seeded Dragons dropped a 93-65 decision to top-seeded Washburn in the Central Regional championship of the NCAA Division II Tournament at … [Read more...] about Postseason run ends for Johnson, MSU Moorhead with loss to No. 5 Ichabods

Johnson scores 26 points, leads Dragons into Central Regional final vs. Washburn

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The MSU Moorhead men's basketball team is one win away from a trip to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division II Tournament. Former Ankeny star Carson Johnson scored 26 points on Sunday to lead the second-seeded Dragons to a 70-59 victory over Winona State in the second round of the Central Regional at Topeka, Kan. The freshman guard went 8-of-21 from the field, … [Read more...] about Johnson scores 26 points, leads Dragons into Central Regional final vs. Washburn

Murray scores 17 points in final game as Vikings fall in 2nd round of NAIA Tourney

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Cleao Murray and the Grand View women's basketball team closed out the season on Saturday with a 71-60 loss to top-seeded Indiana Wesleyan in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament at Marion, Ind. Murray, a former Ankeny Centennial star, scored 17 points in her final game for the Vikings. She also had four rebounds and five steals. Grand View … [Read more...] about Murray scores 17 points in final game as Vikings fall in 2nd round of NAIA Tourney

‘That’s just how he’s wired’: Johnson sinks clutch baskets in Dragons’ regional win

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The March Madness continues for Carson Johnson and the MSU Moorhead men's basketball team. Johnson, a former Ankeny guard, scored 11 points on Saturday to help the Dragons to a 69-62 victory over Fort Hays State in the Central Regional quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Tournament at Topeka, Kan. Second-seeded MSU Moorhead (24-8) will now face … [Read more...] about ‘That’s just how he’s wired’: Johnson sinks clutch baskets in Dragons’ regional win

‘Officially in the Transfer Portal!’: Ex-Jaguar standout Crews looking for new home

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Jaron Crews has entered the transfer portal. Crews announced his decision via social media earlier this week. "Officially in the Transfer Portal!" Crews tweeted on Wednesday. Crews played in all 28 games with 27 starts this season at Ashland University, an NCAA Division II school in Ashland, Ohio. The … [Read more...] about ‘Officially in the Transfer Portal!’: Ex-Jaguar standout Crews looking for new home

Ex-Centennial hoops standout Murray reaches 1,000-point career milestone

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Cleao Murray recently surpassed the 1,000-point career milestone at the collegiate level. Murray, a junior guard, has helped Grand View to a 23-7 record in her second season with the Vikings. She scored 165 points in her freshman year at Missouri Western before transferring to Grand View. Murray scored 555 … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial hoops standout Murray reaches 1,000-point career milestone

Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

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Former Ankeny standout Trever Anderson has qualified for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. A redshirt sophomore at Northern Iowa, Anderson automatically qualified with a seventh-place finish at 125 pounds in the Big 12 Championships last weekend at Tulsa, Okla. After splitting his first four matches in the tournament, Anderson was locked in … [Read more...] about Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Aidan Beck, Ankeny Christian boys’ basketball

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Senior center Aidan Beck helped the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 17-8 record this season. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final before dropping a 66-46 decision to second-ranked Madrid on March 1 at the Knapp Center. Beck averaged 9.0 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game. He led the Eagles with 11 blocks and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Aidan Beck, Ankeny Christian boys’ basketball

Johnson leads MSU Moorhead to NSIC Tournament crown, earns MVP honors

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When the college basketball season tipped off, former Ankeny star Carson Johnson wasn't even expected to play for the MSU Moorhead squad. "The plan for me at the start of the year was to redshirt," said Johnson, a freshman guard. "Then our two great older guards got injured, and that’s when they asked if I wanted to pull my redshirt." Johnson was … [Read more...] about Johnson leads MSU Moorhead to NSIC Tournament crown, earns MVP honors

Wehde helps Dutch to ARC tourney title, 12th trip to NCAA Div. III Championship

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For the 12th time in program history, the Central College men's basketball team is heading to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The Dutch qualified after winning the American Rivers Conference tournament championship over Nebraska Wesleyan University, 68-57, on Saturday. The squad was picked to go to St. Louis and take on No. 13-ranked … [Read more...] about Wehde helps Dutch to ARC tourney title, 12th trip to NCAA Div. III Championship