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Whitaker, Hawkeyes to play at Kansas in NCAA Tournament opener

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Riley Whitaker was relieved when Iowa's name came up during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday afternoon. The Hawkeyes received an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in the history of the women's soccer program. "It was definitely nerve-racking," said Whitaker, a sophomore defender from Ankeny. "We thought that we had done … [Read more...] about Whitaker, Hawkeyes to play at Kansas in NCAA Tournament opener

Ankeny foursome helps Wartburg advance to Div. III soccer tournament

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More than a third of the starting lineup for the Wartburg College women's soccer team hails from Ankeny. Junior midfielder Molly Close and sophomore defender Hailey Osburn both played at Ankeny, while junior midfielder Emily Fontana and sophomore goalkeeper Marissa Lopez are former Ankeny Centennial players. The quartet has helped the Knights to a berth … [Read more...] about Ankeny foursome helps Wartburg advance to Div. III soccer tournament

Wycoff hits go-ahead 3-pointer, lifts Evangels to historic win over Div. I team

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Sydney Wycoff and the Mid-America Christian women's basketball team made some history by winning the NCCAA national title last March--the Evangels' second consecutive crown. On Thursday afternoon, Wycoff helped Mid-America Christian to another historic victory. The former Ankeny Centennial star scored 10 points, including a go-ahead 3-point goal with … [Read more...] about Wycoff hits go-ahead 3-pointer, lifts Evangels to historic win over Div. I team

Former Iowa State walk-on Olson nominated for Burlsworth Trophy

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Iowa State senior offensive lineman Collin Olson, a former Ankeny Centennial star, has been named a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, announced Tuesday by the Burlsworth Foundation. The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth and is given annually to the nation's most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on and has … [Read more...] about Former Iowa State walk-on Olson nominated for Burlsworth Trophy

Hawkins sets Central school record with his 59th career TD pass

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Blaine Hawkins has been steadily climbing the charts in the Central College football record book over the last three seasons. Now, after Hawkins passed for two touchdowns during Saturday's game against Nebraska Wesleyan, there is nobody else left for the junior quarterback to surpass on the school's list for career touchdown passes. The former Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkins sets Central school record with his 59th career TD pass

Larson blocks PAT in overtime, helps Loras to 40-39 win over Buena Vista

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During his high school football career at Ankeny Centennial, Riley Larson was consistently a valuable member of the Jaguars' special teams. Larson has continued that trend at Loras College. On Saturday, the senior defensive back blocked an extra-point attempt in overtime to help the Duhawks to a thrilling 40-39 victory over Buena Vista in an American … [Read more...] about Larson blocks PAT in overtime, helps Loras to 40-39 win over Buena Vista

Ankeny Centennial to host middle school state cross country meet on Saturday

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Ankeny Community Schools is pleased to announce that Ankeny Centennial High School will be hosting the Iowa Association of Track Coaches middle school state cross country meet on Saturday. A 2-mile course has been laid out on the ACHS campus at 2220 NW State St. Spectators are welcome to park in lots on the west and east sides of the building for $5. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Centennial to host middle school state cross country meet on Saturday

Moss returns to action, but Penn State, Pinegar leave Kinnick with 17-12 win

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More than a few No. 92 Penn State jerseys could be spotted in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday night. Jake Pinegar, the Nittany Lions' sophomore place-kicker from Ankeny, had his own cheering section. The former Ankeny Centennial star didn't disappoint his fans. Pinegar booted a 33-yard field goal in the second half to help ninth-ranked Penn State to a … [Read more...] about Moss returns to action, but Penn State, Pinegar leave Kinnick with 17-12 win

Gibson to make first bet at Wild Rose sportsbook in Jefferson

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Ankeny native Dennis Gibson will place the first official bet at the state-of-the-art sportsbook at Wild Rose Casino & Resort in Jefferson on Thursday. DraftKings and Wild Rose will be unveiling its sportsbook with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Wild Rose is located at 777 Wild Rose Road in Jefferson. Gibson, an Iowa State Hall of Famer who … [Read more...] about Gibson to make first bet at Wild Rose sportsbook in Jefferson

Hawkins hurls 6 TD passes, leads Dutch past Larson’s Duhawks in final matchup

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While preparing for Saturday's game against Loras College, Central College quarterback Blaine Hawkins recognized a familiar name--Riley Larson--in the Duhawks' secondary. "I saw the scouting sheet and I'm like, 'Yeah, I know that guy. I've played against him a lot,'" Hawkins said. "It's probably five or six games now, so it's always fun." The rivalry … [Read more...] about Hawkins hurls 6 TD passes, leads Dutch past Larson’s Duhawks in final matchup

Robinson helps U.S. team to first-ever gold medal at U18 World Championship

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Devyn Robinson is now a world champion. The Ankeny Centennial volleyball star played a key role as the U.S. Girls Youth National Team won its first-ever gold medal at the U18 World Championship, outlasting Italy in five sets in the final of this year's edition on Saturday night at Cairo, Egypt. The Americans, who had previously missed two chances at … [Read more...] about Robinson helps U.S. team to first-ever gold medal at U18 World Championship

Ballenger helps Bluejays to 3-0 mark at Cedar Falls, earns all-tourney honors

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Megan Ballenger's final trip to her home state as a member of the Creighton volleyball team was a memorable one. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, was named to the all-tournament team after helping Creighton to three victories at the UNI Tournament last weekend at Cedar Falls. The Bluejays posted four-set wins over No. 12 Kentucky and No. 15 USC as well as … [Read more...] about Ballenger helps Bluejays to 3-0 mark at Cedar Falls, earns all-tourney honors

Injured Iowa defensive back Moss to be out for at least 4-6 weeks

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Former Ankeny Centennial star Riley Moss won't be playing in the Cy-Hawk game on Saturday. Iowa's sophomore defensive back suffered an injury during the Hawkeyes' season-opening victory against Miami of Ohio on Aug. 31. He did not play in Iowa's 30-0 win over Rutgers on Saturday. During his weekly press conference last Tuesday, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz … [Read more...] about Injured Iowa defensive back Moss to be out for at least 4-6 weeks

Drake’s Macke named MVC Defensive Player of the Week

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Drake volleyball standout Kylee Macke, a former Ankeny Centennial star, has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. The junior libero helped Drake to two wins over the weekend at the Drake Invitational. The Bulldogs improved to 4-2 on the season. Macke led Drake with 56 digs in three … [Read more...] about Drake’s Macke named MVC Defensive Player of the Week

Parents and adult fans: The biggest challenge facing high school sports today

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(Editor's note: This is an editorial from Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, and Tom Keating, executive director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association.) Inappropriate adult behaviors at high school athletic events across the country have reached epidemic proportion. When more than … [Read more...] about Parents and adult fans: The biggest challenge facing high school sports today

‘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