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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

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Logan Fincham, ACA boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Logan Fincham helped the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 15-8 record this season. Fincham averaged a team-high 13.8 points per game. He shot 35.8 percent from 3-point range (24-of-67) and 81.7 percent at the free-throw line (58-of-71). Here is some inside info on Fincham: Congratulations on an outstanding season. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Logan Fincham, ACA boys’ basketball

After earning all-region honors, Bayless’ season ends with one-point loss at Hutch

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March Madness is over for Braxton Bayless and the Indian Hills Community College men's basketball team. The seventh-seeded Warriors dropped a 65-64 decision to No. 10 seed Northwest Florida State in the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association DI Tournament on Tuesday at the Hutchinson (Kan.) Sports Arena. Bayless, a former Ankeny … [Read more...] about After earning all-region honors, Bayless’ season ends with one-point loss at Hutch

MACU guard Wycoff named to all-Central Region second team by NCCAA

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Sydney Wycoff has earned all-region honors from the National Christian College Athletic Association. Wycoff, a junior guard for the Mid-America Christian women's team, was selected to the all-Central Region second team. It is her first all-region honor. The 5-foot-6 Wycoff is in the midst of her best year … [Read more...] about MACU guard Wycoff named to all-Central Region second team by NCCAA

Ex-Ankeny hoops standout Johnson to leave Northern State after freshman year

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Former Ankeny girls' basketball standout Abby Johnson has entered the transfer portal. Johnson, a freshman guard at Northern State, announced her decision earlier this week via Twitter. "I would like to thank coach Krueger, coach Neumann, and coach Clark for the opportunity to be a part of their program," Johnson tweeted. "To my teammates, thank you … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny hoops standout Johnson to leave Northern State after freshman year

Grand View’s Flatness places 8th at NAIA Indoor Meet, earns all-American honors

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Former Ankeny thrower Sydney Flatness has been dreaming of being an all-American for a long time. The Grand View University senior finally reached her goal on Saturday at Brookings, S.D. Flatness placed eighth in the shot put at the NAIA Indoor National Championships to earn all-American honors. "I am elated. I’ve been dreaming of this since my … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Flatness places 8th at NAIA Indoor Meet, earns all-American honors

The Fieldhouse, a new all-purpose sports facility, to open in Ankeny in October

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A new all-purpose sports facility will be coming to the south side of Ankeny in the fall. Construction will begin in April on the 27,000-square-foot building, which will be located south of John Deere between State and Irvinedale streets. Currently called The Fieldhouse, the facility will be part of the Prairie Trail Sports Complex. "We're set to open … [Read more...] about The Fieldhouse, a new all-purpose sports facility, to open in Ankeny in October

‘I knew it was going in’: Indian Hills wins thriller on Bayless’ 30-foot buzzer-beater

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Braxton Bayless made a lot of big shots during his high school basketball career. But the former Ankeny star never hit a game-winner at the buzzer. That's exactly what he did on Saturday, making a 30-foot buzzer-beater to give Indian Hills Community College a 67-66 victory on the road at Southeastern. "No, I didn't have any of those in high school," … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was going in’: Indian Hills wins thriller on Bayless’ 30-foot buzzer-beater

Rhoads leaves Ohio State, lands job as defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High

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Ankeny native Paul Rhoads has landed a new coaching gig. The former Iowa State head football coach has been named the defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High School in Alabama. His hiring was approved by the Gulf Shores City Board of Education on Thursday night. Rhoads replaces Brian VanGorder as the Dolphins' defensive coordinator. Both Rhoads and … [Read more...] about Rhoads leaves Ohio State, lands job as defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High

‘I wasn’t ready to be done with Gopher soccer’: Gray to come back for 5th year

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Megan Gray's soccer career isn't over just yet. The former Ankeny Centennial star has decided to take advantage of a fifth year at the University of Minnesota, putting off the start of her entry into the physical therapy graduate program. "Originally, I had planned on beginning physical therapy school here at the U in the summer," Gray said. "When the … [Read more...] about ‘I wasn’t ready to be done with Gopher soccer’: Gray to come back for 5th year

Ex-ACA point guard Goergen reaches 1,000 career points at Faith Baptist

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During high school, Jayce Goergen was a productive point guard for the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team who often passed first before taking a shot himself. Now a junior on the Faith Baptist Bible College men's basketball squad, Goergen has become more of a scoring threat at the collegiate level. On Monday, the 5-foot 10-inch guard scored … [Read more...] about Ex-ACA point guard Goergen reaches 1,000 career points at Faith Baptist

Centennial safety Andriano weighs 15 offers, commits to Augustana University

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Ankeny Centennial football standout Keegan Andriano spent a lot of time looking at more than a dozen colleges. He eventually committed to Augustana University (S.D.), an NCAA Division II school. Andriano announced his decision via Twitter on Sunday. "I am proud to announce my commitment to the University of Augustana," Andriano tweeted. "Thank you … [Read more...] about Centennial safety Andriano weighs 15 offers, commits to Augustana University

Ex-Minnesota Twins Sampson, Sears thrilled by Ortiz’s election to Hall of Fame

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David Ortiz left a big impression on everybody who crossed his path during a 20-year career in the major leagues. Two former Ankeny baseball stars, Benj Sampson and Todd Sears, were among the players who had a chance to play with one of the game's all-time greats. Sampson was elated when Ortiz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame last week in his … [Read more...] about Ex-Minnesota Twins Sampson, Sears thrilled by Ortiz’s election to Hall of Fame

Bondurant-Farrar’s Wonderlin named South Central District Coach of the Year

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Former Ankeny wrestling standout Matt Wonderlin has been named the Class 3A South Central District Coach of the Year. He is now eligible to win the state's Coach of the Year award, which will be presented next month at the state tournament in Des Moines. Wonderlin is in his eighth season as the head coach at Bondurant-Farrar. "I was shocked that I got … [Read more...] about Bondurant-Farrar’s Wonderlin named South Central District Coach of the Year

Girls’ wrestling to become IGHSAU’s 11th sanctioned sport in 2022-23

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Board of Directors has voted unanimously to sanction girls' wrestling as the organization’s 11th sport. The vote was made at the IGHSAU’s January 12th board of directors meeting and was announced prior to the start of the championship round of the IWCOA Girls State Wrestling Tournament Saturday in Coralville. The … [Read more...] about Girls’ wrestling to become IGHSAU’s 11th sanctioned sport in 2022-23