Ankeny Fanatic

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‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

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There's a reason why Megan Ballenger's teammates on the Creighton volleyball team call her "Mama Meg". The former Ankeny star has been a longtime leader for the Bluejays both on and off the court. "I do cook some food and do some other things for certain people sometimes," Ballenger said on Friday after the Bluejays played Iowa State in an exhibition … [Read more...] about ‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

‘We don’t worry about outside noise’: High hopes don’t faze Olson, Cyclones

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Collin Olson didn't earn his first collegiate start until the third game of his redshirt junior season on the Iowa State football team. Now, after starting the final 11 games last year, Olson is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 left guard on the Cyclones' offensive line. However, the former Ankeny Centennial standout still doesn't consider himself a … [Read more...] about ‘We don’t worry about outside noise’: High hopes don’t faze Olson, Cyclones

Ex-Jaguar Gatica leads Valley to Class 5A state championship

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Former Ankeny Centennial player Haley Gatica was named the captain of the all-tournament team after leading the Valley softball team to the Class 5A state title on Friday night in Fort Dodge. Gatica tossed a seven-hitter and went 3-for-5 at the plate as the eighth-ranked Tigers rallied from a 4-2 deficit to beat No. 1 Waukee, 8-5, at Rogers Sports … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Gatica leads Valley to Class 5A state championship

After solid season, Pinegar looks forward to 2019–including trip to Kinnick

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The date of Oct. 12 is already circled on Jake Pinegar's calendar. For many football fans in Iowa--especially those of the Hawkeyes--it is, too. Pinegar, Penn State's sophomore place-kicker and a former Ankeny Centennial star, will return to his home state on that day for the first time as an opposing player. The Nittany Lions will visit Iowa City to … [Read more...] about After solid season, Pinegar looks forward to 2019–including trip to Kinnick

Sauer, Sindt, Frandson and Mast honored at Register’s Sports Awards

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Four athletes from Ankeny were among those honored at the Des Moines Register's Sports Awards on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Register announced the top performers in each of their 21 All-Iowa teams. Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Kenna Sauer, Ankeny cross country star Tim Sindt and Ankeny distance swimmer Trent Frandson were all named the … [Read more...] about Sauer, Sindt, Frandson and Mast honored at Register’s Sports Awards

Pinegar chooses Sam Houston St. over FBS offers from Auburn, Washington St.

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Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Hunter Pinegar took an official visit to Sam Houston State this week. Before boarding a plane on Friday afternoon for the trip home, Pinegar verbally committed to play for the Bearkats this fall. "Believe the myth: Everything really is bigger in Texas," said Pinegar. "And second of all, everybody's love there … [Read more...] about Pinegar chooses Sam Houston St. over FBS offers from Auburn, Washington St.

Cedar Rapids Xavier AD Umthun hired to replace Ankeny’s Buttjer

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It was going to take a special place to lure Andy Umthun away from Cedar Rapids Xavier. Ankeny High School was one of those places. Umthun has been named the new Activities Director at Ankeny, replacing Brent Buttjer. He will take over the position on July 1. "There was a small list of schools that I would have been willing to leave for, and Ankeny … [Read more...] about Cedar Rapids Xavier AD Umthun hired to replace Ankeny’s Buttjer

Lindaman, Gators survive in extra innings, advance to World Series

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When Kendyl Lindaman was a record-setting slugger for the Ankeny Centennial softball team, she was often intentionally walked by opposing pitchers, occasionally even when the bases were loaded. After becoming one of the top hitters in Division I first at Minnesota and now at Florida, Lindaman has not been walked nearly as much. The junior catcher and … [Read more...] about Lindaman, Gators survive in extra innings, advance to World Series

Lindaman, Gators move closer to Women’s College World Series berth

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Kendyl Lindaman and the Florida softball team are just one win away from advancing to the Women's College World Series. Lindaman hit an RBI double in the first inning and the fifth-seeded Gators went on to defeat 12th-seeded Tennessee, 3-0, in the opening game of an NCAA Super Regional on Friday in Gainesville. Game Two of the best-of-three series will … [Read more...] about Lindaman, Gators move closer to Women’s College World Series berth

Koach Allstars complete their most successful season ever

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Koach Allstars, a competitive cheerleading and tumbling gym located in Ankeny, wrapped up its most successful season to date as all three competitive cheer teams finished in the top 10 of Varsity’s D2 Summit Championships in Orlando, Fla., on May 11-12. Koach, which has been competing since the 2013-2014 cheer season, had never sent all teams to the finals … [Read more...] about Koach Allstars complete their most successful season ever

Ankeny Hawk trap shooting team places 2nd overall at Regional SCTP meet

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The Ankeny Hawk trap shooting team placed in every division of last weekend’s Regional Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) trap competition. A total of 23 teams from across the Midwest competed. The Hawks earned second place in singles and handicap competition, along with a third-place finish in doubles. The team also took home second place overall, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Hawk trap shooting team places 2nd overall at Regional SCTP meet

More about Ankeny Fanatic’s future from Publisher Dan Holm

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Dear Citizens of Ankeny, Are you going to the Ankeny Derby at Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday night? If not, Ankeny Fanatic will be there to provide complete coverage of both the Jag-Hawk soccer games. That is what we do. When we launched Ankeny Fanatic in January of 2018, we did so to fill a void. We felt like the community of Ankeny, one of America's … [Read more...] about More about Ankeny Fanatic’s future from Publisher Dan Holm

Tobey wins Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

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Nate Tobey is the winner of the Ankeny Fanatic NCAA Tournament pool. He finished with 100 points. Nate correctly picked 15 of the Sweet 16 teams and six of the Elite 8 teams. He picked Virginia and Texas Tech to reach the Final 4 and also had Virginia advancing to the championship game. Nate received a $50 gift card to the Yankee Clipper. He also won a … [Read more...] about Tobey wins Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

Dickey to be inducted into Rasmussen Coaches Hall of Fame on Thursday

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Toni Dickey was surprised when Ankeny High School Activities Director Brent Buttjer visited her classroom about a month ago. "We started chatting, and he talked about how the golf tournament is going to be named after me," Dickey said of the annual Hawkette Invitational, which will be played on Thursday at Otter Creek Golf Course. "And then he said, … [Read more...] about Dickey to be inducted into Rasmussen Coaches Hall of Fame on Thursday

Simpson’s Riordan named to USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team

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Former Ankeny basketball standout Conor Riordan will be heading to South America this summer. A junior guard on the Simpson College men's squad, Riordan has been named to the USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team that is headed to Brazil. He is the first Simpson player to be a part of this team. "I'm really excited and humbled by the opportunity," … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Riordan named to USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team

‘It’s insane’: Kasperbauer helps Kirkwood to NJCAA Division II national crown

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It's time for Connor Kasperbauer to get fitted for a national championship ring. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Kirkwood College men's basketball team to the NJCAA Division II title on Saturday in Danville, Ill. He scored three points in 29 minutes of action as the top-seeded Eagles posted a 64-58 victory over second-seeded Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘It’s insane’: Kasperbauer helps Kirkwood to NJCAA Division II national crown