Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Top Sports Stories

Strai(gh)t-shooting ex-Jaguar helps Truman State to strong start on court

by

After starting just one game as a freshman, former Ankeny Centennial star Hunter Strait has become a fixture in the Truman State men's basketball starting lineup. Strait, a sophomore guard, has started all 13 games this season while helping the Bulldogs to an 8-5 record, including a 4-1 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "The season is going … [Read more...] about Strai(gh)t-shooting ex-Jaguar helps Truman State to strong start on court

Simpson’s Reiter named American Rivers Conference player of the week

by

Simpson College senior center Adam Reiter has been named the American Rivers Conference men's basketball player of the week. Reiter, a former Ankeny player, led the Storm to a 1-1 record in San Diego, Calif., earlier this month. Reiter racked up 20 points and 10 rebounds in an 84-83 win over UC Santa Cruz on Dec. 17. It was his fifth double-double of … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Reiter named American Rivers Conference player of the week

Former Centennial punter left in limbo after St. Cloud State drops football

by

After a productive freshman season, former Ankeny Centennial punter Avery Knief appeared to have a bright future with the St. Cloud State football team. His future, though, came to a crashing halt two weeks ago. On Dec. 10, St. Cloud State announced some changes to its intercollegiate athletics program to ensure Title IX compliance, and to address the … [Read more...] about Former Centennial punter left in limbo after St. Cloud State drops football

Ex-Jaguar Dahm helps Minnesota State Mankato reach Div. II title game

by

When Max Dahm was a member of the Ankeny Centennial football team, the Jaguars came within two victories of claiming a state title in both 2016 and 2017. As a redshirt freshman on this year's Minnesota State Mankato squad, Dahm nearly captured a national championship. The Mavericks advanced to the NCAA Division II title game before falling to West … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Dahm helps Minnesota State Mankato reach Div. II title game

Ankeny native Rhoads named defensive coordinator at Arizona

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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