Ankeny Fanatic

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Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)

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Ankeny's success on the football field didn't begin with coach Jerry Pezzetti's arrival in 1969. In the previous four decades, Ankeny racked up 11 undefeated seasons, including five in a row from 1933-37 that resulted in a 44-game winning streak. The Hawks also went unbeaten in 1943, 1946, 1950, 1957, 1959 and 1961. Unlike today, most of the stars of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)

Softball player from ACA enjoys tremendous season for D.M. Christian

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Anna Weathers, a freshman at Ankeny Christian Academy, was one of the state's top softball players this season. Playing for Des Moines Christian, Weathers helped the Lions to a 14-17 record. The catcher and third baseman earned first-team all-state, first-team all-district and first-team all-conference honors. Weathers batted .469 with 16 home runs and … [Read more...] about Softball player from ACA enjoys tremendous season for D.M. Christian

Iowa defensive back Moss named to Jim Thorpe Award watch list

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Iowa defensive back Riley Moss has been named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list. The Thorpe Award is awarded annually to the best defensive back in college football. Moss, a former Ankeny Centennial star, was a first-team All-America selection by Sporting News a season ago and was voted the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. He was … [Read more...] about Iowa defensive back Moss named to Jim Thorpe Award watch list

Headed to the Bayou: Iowa pitcher Fulk transfers to LSU Eunice

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Weston Fulk committed to play baseball at Iowa prior to his sophomore season at Ankeny High School. After staying committed to the Hawkeyes for three years, Fulk spent only one season in Iowa City before making the decision to leave. The lefthanded pitcher announced on Monday via Twitter that he will transfer to LSU Eunice, the only junior college … [Read more...] about Headed to the Bayou: Iowa pitcher Fulk transfers to LSU Eunice

‘We just couldn’t push that tying run across’: Eagles fall to Ogden in 8 innings

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Ankeny Christian Academy's dream season on the baseball diamond came to an end on Saturday. But the memories of an historic campaign will not be soon forgotten. The ninth-ranked Eagles lost to Ogden, 3-2, in eight innings in a Class 1A district final at Urbandale. They finished the best season in school history with a 26-2 record. "That was one … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t push that tying run across’: Eagles fall to Ogden in 8 innings

Eagles survive shaky start, approaching storm to knock off Madrid in district play

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With dark clouds looming overhead, gusty winds started blowing across the Urbandale Little League baseball fields on Tuesday night. Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher Eli Christensen stood on the mound during the seventh inning of a Class 1A district semifinal against Madrid, wondering if the approaching storm would soon wreak some havoc. As Christensen … [Read more...] about Eagles survive shaky start, approaching storm to knock off Madrid in district play

Christensen shines at plate, on mound in Eagles’ victory in district opener

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Ankeny Christian Academy's Eli Christensen struck out in his first at-bat of the high school baseball postseason. The sophomore more than made up for it later. Christensen hit a pair of two-run triples and also pitched a brilliant inning in relief to lead the ninth-ranked Eagles to a 9-3 victory over Baxter in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on … [Read more...] about Christensen shines at plate, on mound in Eagles’ victory in district opener

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Malachi Johnson, ACA baseball

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Senior Malachi Johnson has led the ninth-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to a 25-1 record. He is the state's third-leading hitter with a .568 average. Johnson has one home run, six triples and 10 doubles among his 42 hits. He has struck out just two times while knocking in 21 runs. On the mound, Johnson has compiled a 9-0 mark with a 0.96 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Malachi Johnson, ACA baseball

Roland named girls’ wrestling coach for new Ankeny, Centennial program

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Former Des Moines Lincoln wrestling coach Dustin Roland has been named the head coach for the new girls' wrestling program at Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial. Here is a press release from the Ankeny School District announcing the hiring of Roland: Dustin Roland has been named as the head girls wrestling coach for the new girls wrestling program at Ankeny … [Read more...] about Roland named girls’ wrestling coach for new Ankeny, Centennial program

‘When we play with the lead, we are really tough’: Eagles raise record to 22-0

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team took its perfect record to Principal Park on Wednesday morning. The seventh-ranked Eagles scored two runs in the first inning and two more in the third to beat Class 2A Cardinal (Eldon), 4-0, and improve to 22-0 on the season. "This team has done a great job all year of getting on top early," said ACA coach … [Read more...] about ‘When we play with the lead, we are really tough’: Eagles raise record to 22-0

Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team enjoying historic season on diamond

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For the first time in school history, the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team is ranked among the top 10 squads in Class 1A. The Eagles are ranked eighth with a 17-0 record, including a 9-0 mark in the Bluegrass Conference. "It's great recognition for the boys for all their hard work," said ACA coach Craig Dueker. The Eagles remained unbeaten … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team enjoying historic season on diamond

Iowa pitcher Brecht named freshman all-American by Collegiate Baseball

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Former Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht has been named a freshman all-American by Collegiate Baseball. Brecht was honored along with Iowa teammate Keaton Anthony, becoming the 10th and 11th Hawkeyes to earn freshman all-American honors and the first since Peyton Williams in 2020. It is the third time in program history Iowa has had multiple players earn … [Read more...] about Iowa pitcher Brecht named freshman all-American by Collegiate Baseball

Kumm to Iowa City: Ex-Ankeny receiver commits to play for Hawkeyes

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Another former Ankeny wide receiver will be joining the Iowa football program. Jordan Kumm, who helped Iowa Central Community College to a 9-2 record last year, has committed to the Hawkeyes. He announced his commitment via Twitter on Tuesday. "After my first visit, I felt like there wasn't really anywhere else that I would rather be," said Kumm, who … [Read more...] about Kumm to Iowa City: Ex-Ankeny receiver commits to play for Hawkeyes

THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85

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The community of Ankeny has lost one of its most prominent citizens. Dick Rasmussen, the legendary softball and girls' basketball coach at Ankeny High School, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "I will miss him," said current Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham. "I love him and (his wife) Sue." Rasmussen coached at South Hamilton … [Read more...] about THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85

‘You have to take the best opportunity you get’: Bayless commits to Niagara

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Braxton Bayless is headed to The Empire State. The former Ankeny basketball star, who spent the last two seasons at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, verbally committed on Wednesday to play for Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. Bayless also had offers from Western Illinois, UMBC and … [Read more...] about ‘You have to take the best opportunity you get’: Bayless commits to Niagara

Ex-AHS standout Riordan joins Central men’s basketball staff as assistant coach

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Former Ankeny basketball standout Conor Riordan, who spent the past year as a graduate assistant at Midland University (Neb.), has joined new coach Joe Steinkamp's Central College men's basketball staff as varsity assistant. Riordan, a former three-year team captain and two-time all-conference pick at Ankeny, was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America … [Read more...] about Ex-AHS standout Riordan joins Central men’s basketball staff as assistant coach

Central outfielder Burnett named NFCA Division III softball player of the week

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Former Ankeny Centennial softball star Franie Burnett has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's Division III player of the week. She is the first Central College player to receive the NFCA honor since Kiley Lythberg was tabbed on March 23, 2011. Burnett, a sophomore right fielder, was earlier named the American Rivers Female Athlete … [Read more...] about Central outfielder Burnett named NFCA Division III softball player of the week