Ankeny Fanatic

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Ankeny native Rhoads named defensive coordinator at Arizona

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Former Iowa State head football coach Paul Rhoads has been named the defensive coordinator at the University of Arizona. Rhoads, an Ankeny native, spent the last two seasons on the staff of UCLA coach Chip Kelly. He coached the Bruins' defensive backs. Rhoads served as the Cyclones' head coach from 2009-15. He then spent two seasons at Arkansas as the … [Read more...] about Ankeny native Rhoads named defensive coordinator at Arizona

Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s College Football Bowl Contest

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Do you like free tacos and beer? Do you know how to pick the winners of college football games? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then you'll want to enter Ankeny Fanatic's College Football Bowl Contest sponsored by Yankee Clipper. The winner of the contest will receive a $50 gift card to Yankee Clipper--and that'll buy you a lot of tacos … [Read more...] about Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s College Football Bowl Contest

Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s College Football Bowl Contest

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Do you know how to pick the winners of college football games? Do you like free tacos and beer? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then you'll want to enter Ankeny Fanatic's College Football Bowl Contest sponsored by Yankee Clipper. The winner of the contest will receive a $50 gift card to Yankee Clipper--and that'll buy you a lot of tacos … [Read more...] about Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s College Football Bowl Contest

Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer has yet to play this season due to injury

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Connor Kasperbauer's sophomore basketball season at Kirkwood Community College has yet to get under way. The former Ankeny Centennial standout, who helped the Eagles to the NJCAA Division II title last season, has been sidelined by an injury. "I had surgery at the end of April last year to take some bone spurs in my ankle out, and shave off some of my … [Read more...] about Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer has yet to play this season due to injury

Hawkins named to D3football.com All-West Region third team

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Central College quarterback Blaine Hawkins has been named to the D3football.com All-West Region third team. Hawkins, a former Ankeny star, was one of five Central players selected to the squad. Kicker Jon Alberts was a first-team pick, while Hawkins was joined on the third team by offensive linemen Josh Mayhew and Cody Smith and defensive tackle Blade … [Read more...] about Hawkins named to D3football.com All-West Region third team

Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team

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Creighton volleyball standout Megan Ballenger has received all-region honors for the first time in her career. Ballenger, a senior from Ankeny, was one of four Bluejays to be honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Tuesday. She was joined on the all-East Region first team by teammates Keely Davis, Brittany Witt and East Region Player of … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team

Yankee Clipper to sponsor Ankeny Fanatic’s College Football Bowl Contest

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Do you know how to pick the winners of college football games? Do you like free tacos and beer? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then you'll want to enter Ankeny Fanatic's College Football Bowl Contest sponsored by Yankee Clipper. The winner of the contest will receive a $50 gift card to Yankee Clipper--and that'll buy you a lot of tacos … [Read more...] about Yankee Clipper to sponsor Ankeny Fanatic’s College Football Bowl Contest

Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season

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The volleyball season came to an end on Saturday night for both Megan Ballenger and Kenna Sauer. It also marked the end of Ballenger's Creighton career. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had seven kills and four blocks in 15th-ranked Creighton's five-set loss at No. 7 Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers held off a pair of … [Read more...] about Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season

Morningside tops Grand View, advances to NAIA championship game

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The Morningside College football team moved a step closer toward a second consecutive NAIA championship on Saturday while ending Grand View's season. The fourth-seeded Vikings held a 13-7 lead at halftime before No. 1 Morningside responded with a 14-point third quarter and then held on for a 21-16 victory in Sioux City. Former Ankeny player Dylan Miller … [Read more...] about Morningside tops Grand View, advances to NAIA championship game

Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney

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Megan Ballenger and the Creighton volleyball team put an end to Iowa State's season while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Minneapolis. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had four kills and a team-high three blocks as 15th-ranked Creighton moved into the Round of 32 with an impressive sweep of the Cyclones. The Bluejays … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney

Penn State kicker Pinegar earns all-B1G honorable mention

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Penn State sophomore place-kicker Jake Pinegar has received all-Big Ten honorable mention from both the football coaches and the media. Pinegar, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, has helped the Nittany Lions to a 10-2 record this season. He has converted 10-of-11 field-goal attempts and 50-of-52 PATs. Pinegar made a season-long 47-yard field goal … [Read more...] about Penn State kicker Pinegar earns all-B1G honorable mention

Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio

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Former Ankeny volleyball star Megan Ballenger will be joined in this year's NCAA Tournament field by a trio of former Ankeny Centennial standouts. Freshmen Megan Lively of Central Florida, Kenna Sauer of Missouri and Ari Winters of Denver will all be making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Those three players helped the Jaguars to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio

‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season

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As she walked across the court at D.J. Sokol Arena, possibly for the last time in front of the Creighton volleyball fans, senior middle hitter Megan Ballenger tried to soak it all in. The former Ankeny star was honored as part of the Bluejays' Senior Day following Sunday's four-set victory over DePaul that clinched Creighton's unprecedented sixth … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season

Winters’ kill clinches Summit League crown, sends Denver to NCAA Tourney

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Ari Winters and the University of Denver volleyball team are headed to the NCAA Tournament. Winters, a former Ankeny Centennial star, helped the Pioneers to their fifth Summit League Tournament championship in program history on Sunday at Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver. The freshman outside hitter had four kills, seven block assists and four digs as Denver … [Read more...] about Winters’ kill clinches Summit League crown, sends Denver to NCAA Tourney

Geiger, Legg help Augustana reach 2nd round of NCAA Tournament

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The Augustana women's soccer team lost to a familiar opponent in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The fourth-seeded Vikings dropped a 1-0 decision to top-seeded and 13th-ranked MInnesota State, their rival in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Mavericks (18-3-1) won their third match of the season over Augustana (16-5-1) to … [Read more...] about Geiger, Legg help Augustana reach 2nd round of NCAA Tournament

Hawkins leads miraculous rally; Central advances to 2nd round of playoffs

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Blaine Hawkins and the Central College football team didn't flinch when the Dutch fell behind at halftime, 31-7, in the opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday. All they did was pull off one of the most miraculous victories in school history. Hawkins led a stirring comeback that culminated in a game-tying touchdown with 16 seconds … [Read more...] about Hawkins leads miraculous rally; Central advances to 2nd round of playoffs

Riordan, Reiter help Simpson to win in highest scoring Div. III game ever

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Former Ankeny players Conor Riordan and Adam Reiter combined for 77 points Saturday in the highest scoring men's basketball game in NCAA Division III history. Riordan made two free throws with 6 seconds left in overtime to give Simpson College a 161-160 victory over Greenville in the Carroll Pre-Thanksgiving Tournament at Waukesha, Wis. The combined … [Read more...] about Riordan, Reiter help Simpson to win in highest scoring Div. III game ever

Reiter, Riordan enjoy ‘great experience’ despite 45-point loss at Drake

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There was no way Conor Riordan was going to sit out Sunday's exhibition men's basketball game at Drake. The Simpson College point guard from Ankeny injured his right hand during Saturday's win over Westminster (Mo.) at Storm Lake, but he was back on the court less than 24 hours later as the Storm dropped a 98-53 decision at the Knapp Center. "I'm going … [Read more...] about Reiter, Riordan enjoy ‘great experience’ despite 45-point loss at Drake

Nation’s No. 8 team edges Wartburg in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament

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An early goal proved to be the difference as the Wartburg College women's soccer team ended its season on Sunday with a 1-0 loss to eighth-ranked Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship at Waverly. The Sagehens (19-1-1) scored the game's only goal at the 6-minute mark, when sophomore Anna Ponzio settled a ball in … [Read more...] about Nation’s No. 8 team edges Wartburg in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament