Ankeny Fanatic

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Indiana State’s Sharar to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato

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Former Ankeny soccer standout Olivia Sharar is coming home. Well, sort of. The Indiana State midfielder has decided to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato in order to be closer to her family. "Some people might hate being close to home, but I personally love it here," said Sharar. "I also just felt that (Indiana State) just wasn't where I belonged … [Read more...] about Indiana State’s Sharar to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato

ACA boys’ basketball coach Selindh departs after nine successful seasons

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Ankeny Christian Academy has apparently found its next boys' basketball coach. ACA Athletic Director Dave Walter told Ankeny Fanatic on Tuesday that he has hired a replacement for Paul Selindh, who guided the Eagles to a 171-42 record during his tenure as the head coach. "We're just looking for the right time to announce it," Walter said. "It'll … [Read more...] about ACA boys’ basketball coach Selindh departs after nine successful seasons

Former Ankeny, Centennial standouts to join St. Cloud State’s new soccer program

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When St. Cloud State dropped its football program after the 2019 season, it brought an abrupt end to Avery Knief's career. The former Ankeny Centennial punter enjoyed a strong freshman season for the Huskies, averaging 37.5 yards on 70 punts. He considered transferring to a different school, but eventually elected to stay at St. Cloud State. Now, three … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny, Centennial standouts to join St. Cloud State’s new soccer program

Florida’s Lindaman named CoSIDA’s Academic All-America of the Year

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Ankeny native Kendyl Lindaman isn't just one of the best college softball players in the country. She's one of the smartest, too. Lindaman became Florida's latest player to receive College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America of the Year. CoSIDA announced the award earlier this month along with their Academic … [Read more...] about Florida’s Lindaman named CoSIDA’s Academic All-America of the Year

‘A long time coming’: Cyclone fan Quigley named to GA position on Campbell’s staff

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Xavier Quigley always wanted to play for the Iowa State football team. Although he never got that chance, the former Ankeny offensive lineman still had a desire to be part of the Cyclones' program. Now, he's getting that opportunity. Quigley has been named to a graduate assistant position on head coach Matt Campbell's staff. He will help coach the … [Read more...] about ‘A long time coming’: Cyclone fan Quigley named to GA position on Campbell’s staff

Iowa Central’s Pruisner named to 2020 USA Rugby Men’s Under-20 team

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When Lane Pruisner was a junior at Ankeny Centennial, the football and wrestling standout wasn't sure if he wanted to compete at the collegiate level. "I was thinking I wasn't even going to play sports in college," he said. "But I got to my senior year and I thought to myself, 'I can't give up being an athlete.' So then I decided to play rugby, and I'm … [Read more...] about Iowa Central’s Pruisner named to 2020 USA Rugby Men’s Under-20 team

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team

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(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is dedicated to longtime Des Moines Register wrestling reporter Dan McCool, who died on Monday at the age of 60. Dan was a legend in the wrestling community and will be sorely missed. I was working for the Register as a correspondent in the 80s and one of the first big events that I was asked to cover was to help out Dan with state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ basketball team

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Last week, Ankeny Fanatic unveiled its all-time Ankeny boys' basketball team. Now, it's the girls' turn. Ankeny has a rich tradition in girls' basketball, boasting more than 40 all-state players dating back to 1940. The community has won a total of 10 state championships. The history of Ankeny girls' basketball can be broken down into three distinct … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ basketball team

Ex-Centennial kicker to play final season at Louisiana-Monroe

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Hunter Pinegar has decided to finish his collegiate football career in the Pelican State. The former Ankeny Centennial kicker has verbally committed to play for the University of Louisiana-Monroe, a Division I school. He spent the last season at Sam Houston State, an FCS program in Huntsville, Texas. "I'm looking for a fresh start," said Pinegar, who … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial kicker to play final season at Louisiana-Monroe

Ex-Ankeny guard Riordan named Simpson College Male Athlete of Year

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Former Ankeny basketball standout Conor Riordan has been named the Simpson College Male Athlete of the Year after previously earning several postseason honors. Riordan, a senior guard, was selected to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-West District and D3hoops.com All-West Region second team. He was also named a first-team Academic … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny guard Riordan named Simpson College Male Athlete of Year

WELCOME BACK!: Lindaman officially announces her return to Gator Nation

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Florida softball standout and Ankeny native Kendyl Lindaman had already told Ankeny Fanatic of her plans to return next season, but her tweet on Saturday makes it official. "Being a part of Gator Nation has given me a lifetime of unforgettable memories and after receiving the news that our season was over, I was not ready for these memories to end," she … [Read more...] about WELCOME BACK!: Lindaman officially announces her return to Gator Nation

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ basketball team

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It's been more than a month since the Ankeny boys' basketball team capped off an amazing postseason run by winning the Class 4A state title at Wells Fargo Arena. Man, I miss sports. The Hawks' 78-70 victory over Waukee in the championship game was played before a sparse crowd because both schools were limited to just 100 fans due to concern over spread … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ basketball team

Ex-Jaguars Havens, Suedmeier adjusting after COVID-19 ends their track season

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Tyler Havens had some goals that he wanted to accomplish at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. One of his former Ankeny Centennial teammates, Cory Suedmeier, was also looking forward to next month's meet at the University of Dubuque. Neither of them, however, will get a chance to realize their dreams. Not in 2020 … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguars Havens, Suedmeier adjusting after COVID-19 ends their track season

COVID-19 outbreak disrupts Brandt’s rookie season with OL Reign in NWSL

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Don't be surprised to see Meg Brandt kicking a soccer ball around the yard at her parents' home in Ankeny. The budding professional women's soccer player has nowhere else to go during the global pandemic. Brandt, a former Ankeny Centennial and Nebraska star, was in training camp with OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League when the coronavirus … [Read more...] about COVID-19 outbreak disrupts Brandt’s rookie season with OL Reign in NWSL

‘It’s in the back of my head’: Campbell’s Cowan looks ahead to 2021 MLB draft

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A month ago, Cam Cowan was likely putting himself in position to be selected in the 2020 Major League Baseball amateur draft. Now, it appears that the former Ankeny Centennial pitcher will have to wait at least another year to accomplish that goal. "I've thought about (being drafted)," said Cowan, a junior righthander on the Campbell University … [Read more...] about ‘It’s in the back of my head’: Campbell’s Cowan looks ahead to 2021 MLB draft

There are lots of coronavirus stories; Here’s mine about March Sadness

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I was supposed to be in the ATL right now. Specifically, I should have been strolling around Centennial Olympic Park on Sunday night with my good buddy Tony Rhoads, drinking a Blue Moon and taking in a free Taylor Swift concert as part of the March Madness Music Festival. But no, I'm experiencing March Sadness instead. I'm holed up in my house with the … [Read more...] about There are lots of coronavirus stories; Here’s mine about March Sadness

‘It was just over with out of thin air’: Strait recalls abrupt end to Bulldogs’ season

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Hunter Strait struggles to keep busy as he sits in his mother's house in Cedar Rapids. "There's not a lot to do," he said. Like many Americans, Strait's life came to a screeching halt last month with the spread of the coronavirus. The former Ankeny Centennial basketball star was traveling to Indianapolis with his Truman State teammates on March 12 … [Read more...] about ‘It was just over with out of thin air’: Strait recalls abrupt end to Bulldogs’ season

After missing entire season, Kasperbauer commits to play for Northern Michigan

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Connor Kasperbauer has found a new home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Kasperbauer, a redshirt sophomore guard at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, has committed to play for Northern Michigan. NMU is an NCAA Division II school located in Marquette, Mich. "I just liked the coach (Matt … [Read more...] about After missing entire season, Kasperbauer commits to play for Northern Michigan

Iowa’s Doocy, Florida’s Lindaman planning to return for 2021 season

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March 12 was a day that Allison Doocy will never forget. Kendyl Lindaman likely won't, either. Both former Ankeny softball stars were in the state of Florida on that Thursday when they found out that their season had been cancelled by the NCAA due to the coronavirus. Lindaman and her Florida teammates were preparing for a weekend series against Baylor … [Read more...] about Iowa’s Doocy, Florida’s Lindaman planning to return for 2021 season