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Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Aidan Beck, Ankeny Christian boys’ basketball

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Senior center Aidan Beck helped the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 17-8 record this season. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final before dropping a 66-46 decision to second-ranked Madrid on March 1 at the Knapp Center. Beck averaged 9.0 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game. He led the Eagles with 11 blocks and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Aidan Beck, Ankeny Christian boys’ basketball

Johnson leads MSU Moorhead to NSIC Tournament crown, earns MVP honors

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When the college basketball season tipped off, former Ankeny star Carson Johnson wasn't even expected to play for the MSU Moorhead squad. "The plan for me at the start of the year was to redshirt," said Johnson, a freshman guard. "Then our two great older guards got injured, and that’s when they asked if I wanted to pull my redshirt." Johnson was … [Read more...] about Johnson leads MSU Moorhead to NSIC Tournament crown, earns MVP honors

Wehde helps Dutch to ARC tourney title, 12th trip to NCAA Div. III Championship

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For the 12th time in program history, the Central College men's basketball team is heading to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The Dutch qualified after winning the American Rivers Conference tournament championship over Nebraska Wesleyan University, 68-57, on Saturday. The squad was picked to go to St. Louis and take on No. 13-ranked … [Read more...] about Wehde helps Dutch to ARC tourney title, 12th trip to NCAA Div. III Championship

‘It was a lot of fun’: Eagles reach substate final before falling to unbeaten Madrid

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The Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball players had no reasons to hang their heads following Saturday's 66-46 loss to second-ranked Madrid in a Class 1A substate final at the Knapp Center. The Eagles came within one victory of advancing to the state tournament and finished with a 17-8 record in what appeared to be a rebuilding year for the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a lot of fun’: Eagles reach substate final before falling to unbeaten Madrid

Grand View’s Murray named to Heart of America Athletic Conference first team

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Grand View junior Cleao Murray has been named to the Heart of America Athletic Conference women's basketball first team. The junior guard has helped the Vikings to a 23-6 record heading into Friday's game at home against Benedictine College (Kan.) in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Murray, a former Ankeny Centennial … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Murray named to Heart of America Athletic Conference first team

Bayless makes another buzzer-beater, allows Hilltoppers to edge Louisiana Tech

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Braxton Bayless needed only four dribbles to go the length of the court to make his latest buzzer-beater. The former Ankeny basketball star made a go-ahead layup with .4 seconds remaining to give Western Kentucky a 64-63 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky. "Coach (Hank Plona) said if we get it, go," said … [Read more...] about Bayless makes another buzzer-beater, allows Hilltoppers to edge Louisiana Tech

Ex-prep stars Johnson, Winkel combine for 70 points in epic double-OT battle

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During their high school basketball careers, Carson Johnson and Luke Winkel waged some epic battles on the hardwood. Now, the former prep stars from Ankeny have taken their rivalry to another level. Johnson and Winkel collided on Saturday for the first time as collegians, and both players set a new career-high while combining for a … [Read more...] about Ex-prep stars Johnson, Winkel combine for 70 points in epic double-OT battle

Ex-Jaguar Robinson named Horizon League’s Freshman of the Week

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Former Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball player Reece Robinson has been named the Horizon League's Freshman of the Week after helping Cleveland State extend its winning streak to 12 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest in the country. Robinson averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game in helping his team to a 2-0 week with home … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Robinson named Horizon League’s Freshman of the Week

Ex-Jaguar McCullough scores career-high 26 in WSC’s win at Minnesota Crookston

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Former Ankeny Centennial standout Cody McCullough scored 15 of his career-high 26 points in the second half to lead Wayne State College to a 78-76 victory at Minnesota Crookston in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball action on Friday at Lysaker Gymnasium. McCullough's career-high night helped offset a 35-point performance by … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar McCullough scores career-high 26 in WSC’s win at Minnesota Crookston

Ex-Ankeny player Griffith joins Woodley’s staff at Drake as offensive line coach

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Former Ankeny football standout Quincy Griffith is coming back to central Iowa. Griffith has been named the offensive line coach by new Drake head coach Joe Woodley, who took over the Bulldogs' program after guiding Grand View to the NAIA national championship. "I knew coach Woodley a little bit just professionally," said Griffith. "And when he got the … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny player Griffith joins Woodley’s staff at Drake as offensive line coach

‘It would be super cool to set a record’: UNI’s Peters closes in on school marks

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Former Ankeny standout Erica Peters is moving up the list of Northern Iowa's all-time best divers. During a dual meet against Illinois State on Friday at Cedar Falls, Peters placed second in the three-meter diving with a career-best score of 275.10 points. In the process, she moved into the top five on the school's all-time list. On Saturday, Peters … [Read more...] about ‘It would be super cool to set a record’: UNI’s Peters closes in on school marks

After two years at Iowa Western, former Jaguar Targgart commits to S. Dakota St.

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Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Brody Targgart has committed to play for one of the top FCS programs in the country. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive lineman announced over the weekend that he will play for South Dakota State. He has two years of eligibility remaining along with a redshirt year. Targgart helped Iowa Western Community … [Read more...] about After two years at Iowa Western, former Jaguar Targgart commits to S. Dakota St.

Wehde scores game-winning basket with 2 seconds left to lift Central past Loras

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Former Ankeny standout Karson Wehde scored one of the biggest baskets of his collegiate career on Saturday. The sophomore forward made a layup with 2 seconds left to give the Central College men's basketball team a 78-76 victory over Loras College at Pella. He scored off an assist from former Waukee player Owen Schipper. "The final play wasn't actually … [Read more...] about Wehde scores game-winning basket with 2 seconds left to lift Central past Loras

Northern Iowa’s Anderson named Big 12 Conference Wrestler of the Week

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Northern Iowa's Trever Anderson has been named the Big 12 Conference's Wrestler of the Week, as announced by the league office on Wednesday. The selection is the first weekly conference honor of his career. Anderson's selection comes after the Panther redshirt sophomore helped set the tone for UNI with a key upset victory in its 24-9 dual win over … [Read more...] about Northern Iowa’s Anderson named Big 12 Conference Wrestler of the Week

Ex-Ankeny quarterback Kohl announces commitment to Appalachian State

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Former Ankeny and Iowa State quarterback JJ Kohl is headed to Appalachian State. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound redshirt freshman announced his decision via social media on Wednesday. "Excited to announce my commitment to App State!" Kohl tweeted on X. Kohl was a two-time all-stater at Ankeny, where he passed for 4,208 yards and 42 touchdowns in his … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny quarterback Kohl announces commitment to Appalachian State

‘This win stacks up the same as all others’: UNI’s Anderson defeats top-5 opponent

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Trever Anderson has had a lot of big wins in his wrestling career. His latest victory was among the biggest yet. Ranked 31st in the country, the former Ankeny star and two-time state champion posted a 5-2 decision over Nebraska's fifth-ranked and returning all-American Caleb Smith at 125 pounds to help Northern Iowa to a 24-9 triumph on Sunday … [Read more...] about ‘This win stacks up the same as all others’: UNI’s Anderson defeats top-5 opponent

Iowa State freshman Peck named Big 12 Conference Co-Newcomer of the Week

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Former Ankeny swimming standout Anja Peck has been named the Big 12 Conference Co-Newcomer of the Week for her outstanding performances in Iowa State's 215-84 loss to Iowa on Dec. 13 at Iowa City. Peck placed second in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:03.91. She was also the runner-up in the 200 breaststroke, where she achieved a personal-best time of … [Read more...] about Iowa State freshman Peck named Big 12 Conference Co-Newcomer of the Week

BACK IN THE SEC: Ankeny native Rhoads joins Mississippi St. as defensive analyst

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Ankeny native Paul Rhoads is headed back to the SEC. The former Iowa State head football coach has been hired as a defensive analyst by Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby, who is making some changes to his staff after guiding the Bulldogs to a 2-10 record in his first season at the school. "Yes, I do," Rhoads told Ankeny Fanatic when asked if he … [Read more...] about BACK IN THE SEC: Ankeny native Rhoads joins Mississippi St. as defensive analyst

Northern Illinois outlasts Fresno State in double OT to win Idaho Potato Bowl

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The Northern Illinois football team closed out the season on Monday with a double-overtime victory in the Idaho Potato Bowl at Boise, Idaho. Freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge on the first play of the second overtime, then Jordan Hansen ended the game with a fourth-down sack to give the Huskies a … [Read more...] about Northern Illinois outlasts Fresno State in double OT to win Idaho Potato Bowl