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Ankeny Christian holds off Madrid, will play No. 3 West Fork for trip to state

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During the first quarter of Thursday's game against Madrid, the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team struggled to solve the Tigers' zone defense. The Eagles fell into an early 14-5 hole and appeared to be in danger of being blown out in a Class 1A district final at Ankeny. The deficit grew to double digits when Madrid's CJ Dean opened the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian holds off Madrid, will play No. 3 West Fork for trip to state

Eagles knock off three-time defending state champs, advance to district final

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There will be a new boys' basketball king in Class 1A. Ankeny Christian Academy got a late rebound basket from Nic Worsham to defeat three-time defending state champion Grand View Christian, 48-46, in a district semifinal on Tuesday at Madrid. It was the 14th consecutive victory for the Eagles, who improved to 20-3 on the season and will play Madrid … [Read more...] about Eagles knock off three-time defending state champs, advance to district final

Leever pours in 30 points, leads Eagles past Melcher-Dallas in district opener

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The Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team raced out to a 40-16 halftime lead and cruised to a 68-41 victory over visiting Melcher-Dallas in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on Thursday. It was the 13th consecutive win for the Eagles (19-3), who will play three-time defending state champion Grand View Christian (12-7) in a district semifinal on … [Read more...] about Leever pours in 30 points, leads Eagles past Melcher-Dallas in district opener

Former Ankeny catcher played for legendary coach who died in Kobe crash

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The helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant as well as eight other people sent shock waves across the country on Jan. 26. The tragedy struck closer to home for J.T. Sampson than most Americans. Sampson, a former Ankeny catcher, once played for Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, who was among the victims along with his wife … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny catcher played for legendary coach who died in Kobe crash

Former Nebraska star Brandt headed to National Women’s Soccer League

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Ankeny native Meg Brandt has always wanted to play professional soccer. That dream became a reality on Thursday. The former Nebraska star is headed to the National Women's Soccer League. Reign FC traded for the seventh pick in the fourth round of the draft, then used that pick to select Brandt. She was the 34th overall selection in the 2020 NWSL … [Read more...] about Former Nebraska star Brandt headed to National Women’s Soccer League

Strai(gh)t-shooting ex-Jaguar helps Truman State to strong start on court

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After starting just one game as a freshman, former Ankeny Centennial star Hunter Strait has become a fixture in the Truman State men's basketball starting lineup. Strait, a sophomore guard, has started all 13 games this season while helping the Bulldogs to an 8-5 record, including a 4-1 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "The season is going … [Read more...] about Strai(gh)t-shooting ex-Jaguar helps Truman State to strong start on court

Simpson’s Reiter named American Rivers Conference player of the week

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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