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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

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