Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Iowa State offensive lineman Collin Olson stopped by to discuss the Camping World Bowl with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed Ari Winters about her freshman season on the Denver volleyball team. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 76
Top Sports Stories
Simpson’s Reiter named American Rivers Conference player of the week
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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