Former Iowa wide receiver Arland Bruce IV has landed in Stillwater. Bruce announced via Twitter on Saturday that he will transfer to Oklahoma State. "Mama I'm a Cowboy #gopokes," he tweeted. Bruce, who helped lead Ankeny to the Class 4A state championship in 2020, spent two seasons at Iowa. He caught 19 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown as a … [Read more...] about ‘Mama I’m a Cowboy’: Ex-Ankeny star, former Iowa wideout Bruce lands at OSU
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Johnson’s game-winner with 1.4 seconds left allows Central to edge Buena Vista
Abby Johnson left the Northern State women's basketball team after her freshman season. The former Ankeny standout appears to be fitting in nicely with her new squad. Johnson, a sophomore guard, made a game-winning layup with 1.4 seconds left to give Central College a 60-58 victory over visiting Buena Vista on Wednesday. The Dutch earned their first … [Read more...] about Johnson’s game-winner with 1.4 seconds left allows Central to edge Buena Vista
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
For the last 54 years, a lot of young boys have grown up in Ankeny wanting to play football for coach Jerry Pezzetti. Some of those players wanted to follow in the footsteps of their fathers who played for Pezzetti. That was the case for Drew Carlson, a standout linebacker on Ankeny's 2012 state championship team. His father, Luke, starred for Pezzetti … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March of 2020, Ankeny Fanatic took advantage of the unexpected break from high school sports to publish the first of its many all-time Ankeny teams, recognizing the best boys' basketball players in the community's history. This has since turned into a three-year project. Ankeny Fanatic has now published its … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)
‘Back in the 515’: Former Ankeny receiver Kumm to continue career at Grand View
After a brief stop in Iowa City, former Ankeny receiver Jordan Kumm is looking to finish his college football career in Des Moines. Kumm announced on Twitter Saturday that he will transfer to Grand View and play for the Vikings. "I'm blessed to announce that I will be back in the 515 to continue my academic and athletic career at Grand View … [Read more...] about ‘Back in the 515’: Former Ankeny receiver Kumm to continue career at Grand View
‘It was impossible to turn down’: Ex-Jag Gibson to finish career at Tennessee Tech
Former Ankeny Centennial quarterback Hayes Gibson is headed to Tennessee Tech. After spending one season at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, Gibson has verbally committed to play for the Golden Eagles, who compete in the FCS and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference. "When I arrived on campus for my visit at Tennessee Tech, I was a bit skeptical … [Read more...] about ‘It was impossible to turn down’: Ex-Jag Gibson to finish career at Tennessee Tech
NIACC’s Pippett named ICCAC player of the week for 2nd time in her career
Jackie Pippett enjoyed some memorable moments during her high school basketball career at Ankeny Centennial. She's had quite a few at the collegiate level, too. For the second time in her career, Pippett has been named the ICCAC women's basketball player of the week. A sophomore post player at North Iowa Area Community College, she earned the weekly … [Read more...] about NIACC’s Pippett named ICCAC player of the week for 2nd time in her career
Wisconsin standout Robinson earns AVCA all-American honors for 2nd time
Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball star Devyn Robinson is now a two-time all-American. Robinson, a redshirt junior at Wisconsin, has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) third team. She was joined on the squad by a pair of teammates, Sarah Franklin and Danielle Hart. The 6-foot-3 right-side hitter also earned third-team … [Read more...] about Wisconsin standout Robinson earns AVCA all-American honors for 2nd time
Murray takes her game to another level, scores career-high 17 points for Griffons
Cleao Murray is making a rapid adjustment to the NCAA Division II level. The former Ankeny Centennial guard scored a career-high 17 points on Saturday as the Missouri Western women's basketball team lost to visiting Fort Hays State, 64-58, in a rematch of last year's NCAA Central Region championship. The true freshman made 7-of-11 shots from the … [Read more...] about Murray takes her game to another level, scores career-high 17 points for Griffons
Ex-Jaguar Phipps leaves Drake, will transfer to Colorado Christian University
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball star Maggie Phipps is transferring from Drake to Colorado Christian University. Phipps, a sophomore guard, said she decided to enter the transfer portal after thinking about it for several months. "It was a very tough decision that I have been praying about since last February," said Phipps. "I know many people may … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Phipps leaves Drake, will transfer to Colorado Christian University
KUMM & GO: Walk-on receiver to leave Hawkeyes’ football program
When the 2022 football season began, Iowa's wide receivers room included a trio of former Ankeny standouts. Now, Brody Brecht is the only one of the three remaining. Walk-on Jordan Kumm announced via Twitter on Monday that he is entering the transfer portal. "I want to start off by saying thank you to coach (Kelton) Copeland and coach (Kirk) Ferentz … [Read more...] about KUMM & GO: Walk-on receiver to leave Hawkeyes’ football program
STRAIT INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: Former Jag scores 1,000th career point
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Hunter Strait reached a milestone on Thursday. He's also poised to set another record on Saturday. Strait scored a team and personal season-high in points with 21, but it wasn't enough as the Truman State men's basketball team dropped a 68-60 decision to Lewis University on Thursday at Romeoville, Ill. The … [Read more...] about STRAIT INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: Former Jag scores 1,000th career point
‘After much thought and prayer’, Iowa’s Bruce decides to enter transfer portal
One day after the Iowa football team landed coveted Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara through the transfer portal, the Hawkeyes lost another of their top receivers. Former Ankeny star Arland Bruce IV announced via Twitter on Friday that he is entering the transfer portal, joining fellow wideout Keagan Johnson, who announced his departure on … [Read more...] about ‘After much thought and prayer’, Iowa’s Bruce decides to enter transfer portal
‘Just a fantastic performance’: Gordon places 18th at NCAA Midwest Regional
Former Ankeny Centennial standout Emma Gordon closed out her collegiate cross country career with a personal best. The Iowa senior placed 18th in the NCAA Midwest Regional on Friday at Columbia, Mo. She led the Hawkeyes to a 14th-place finish. Gordon posted a time of 20 minutes 37.1 seconds to become the third Hawkeye in the last 10 seasons to finish … [Read more...] about ‘Just a fantastic performance’: Gordon places 18th at NCAA Midwest Regional
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 203
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews head coach Michele Quick, sophomore setter Katie Quick and sophomore outside hitter Macey Nehring of the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team about the Eagles' dramatic run to the school's first-ever state championship in any … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 203
Ex-Ankeny star Bayless shines in Division I debut as Niagara falls at Maryland
Former Ankeny basketball standout Braxton Bayless made an impressive debut for Niagara. The junior guard scored a team-high 14 points in the Purple Eagles' 71-49 loss at Maryland in their season opener on Monday. He also had a team-high six rebounds and six assists. Bayless made a buzzer-beating jumper at the end of the first half to cut the Terps' … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Bayless shines in Division I debut as Niagara falls at Maryland
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carley Craighead, Ankeny Christian volleyball
Sophomore outside hitter Carley Craighead helped the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to the Class 1A state title last week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The seventh-ranked Eagles won their last 18 matches and finished with a 39-3 record. Craighead pounded 20 kills as ACA outlasted No. 4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck in five sets in Thursday's championship … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carley Craighead, Ankeny Christian volleyball
A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Eagles rally for 5-set win, claim ACA’s first crown
The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball squad was expected to contend for the school's first state championship in any team sport in the next couple of years. The young Eagles decided that they didn't want to wait to make some history. Seventh-ranked ACA, which starts five sophomores, used a miraculous rally to defeat No. 4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the … [Read more...] about A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Eagles rally for 5-set win, claim ACA’s first crown
Eagles pull off stunning upset, will play for school’s 1st state title in any sport
A stunning upset has put Ankeny Christian Academy on the brink of its first state championship in any team sport. The seventh-ranked Eagles advanced to the Class 1A final at the state volleyball tournament with a 25-10, 25-19, 25-22 victory over No. 1 Springville in Wednesday's semifinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. It was the 17th consecutive win … [Read more...] about Eagles pull off stunning upset, will play for school’s 1st state title in any sport
WreckEm: Ankeny’s Johnson verbally commits to play softball at Texas Tech
Junior Cassie Johnson of Ankeny has verbally committed to play softball at Texas Tech. Johnson announced her decision via Twitter earlier this week. "RAIDER NATION, I'M COMING FOR YOU!! #WreckEm" she tweeted. Johnson plays for the Iowa Premier Fastpitch travel club. She is a power-hitting catcher. "I talked to a lot of great schools, but Texas … [Read more...] about WreckEm: Ankeny’s Johnson verbally commits to play softball at Texas Tech