The volleyball season came to an end on Saturday night for both Megan Ballenger and Kenna Sauer. It also marked the end of Ballenger's Creighton career. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had seven kills and four blocks in 15th-ranked Creighton's five-set loss at No. 7 Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers held off a pair of … [Read more...] about Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season
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Morningside tops Grand View, advances to NAIA championship game
The Morningside College football team moved a step closer toward a second consecutive NAIA championship on Saturday while ending Grand View's season. The fourth-seeded Vikings held a 13-7 lead at halftime before No. 1 Morningside responded with a 14-point third quarter and then held on for a 21-16 victory in Sioux City. Former Ankeny player Dylan Miller … [Read more...] about Morningside tops Grand View, advances to NAIA championship game
Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney
Megan Ballenger and the Creighton volleyball team put an end to Iowa State's season while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Minneapolis. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had four kills and a team-high three blocks as 15th-ranked Creighton moved into the Round of 32 with an impressive sweep of the Cyclones. The Bluejays … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney
Penn State kicker Pinegar earns all-B1G honorable mention
Penn State sophomore place-kicker Jake Pinegar has received all-Big Ten honorable mention from both the football coaches and the media. Pinegar, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, has helped the Nittany Lions to a 10-2 record this season. He has converted 10-of-11 field-goal attempts and 50-of-52 PATs. Pinegar made a season-long 47-yard field goal … [Read more...] about Penn State kicker Pinegar earns all-B1G honorable mention
Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio
Former Ankeny volleyball star Megan Ballenger will be joined in this year's NCAA Tournament field by a trio of former Ankeny Centennial standouts. Freshmen Megan Lively of Central Florida, Kenna Sauer of Missouri and Ari Winters of Denver will all be making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Those three players helped the Jaguars to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio
‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season
As she walked across the court at D.J. Sokol Arena, possibly for the last time in front of the Creighton volleyball fans, senior middle hitter Megan Ballenger tried to soak it all in. The former Ankeny star was honored as part of the Bluejays' Senior Day following Sunday's four-set victory over DePaul that clinched Creighton's unprecedented sixth … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season
Winters’ kill clinches Summit League crown, sends Denver to NCAA Tourney
Ari Winters and the University of Denver volleyball team are headed to the NCAA Tournament. Winters, a former Ankeny Centennial star, helped the Pioneers to their fifth Summit League Tournament championship in program history on Sunday at Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver. The freshman outside hitter had four kills, seven block assists and four digs as Denver … [Read more...] about Winters’ kill clinches Summit League crown, sends Denver to NCAA Tourney
Geiger, Legg help Augustana reach 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
The Augustana women's soccer team lost to a familiar opponent in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The fourth-seeded Vikings dropped a 1-0 decision to top-seeded and 13th-ranked MInnesota State, their rival in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Mavericks (18-3-1) won their third match of the season over Augustana (16-5-1) to … [Read more...] about Geiger, Legg help Augustana reach 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
VIDEO: Ballenger helps Bluejays to another BIG EAST crown
Hawkins leads miraculous rally; Central advances to 2nd round of playoffs
Blaine Hawkins and the Central College football team didn't flinch when the Dutch fell behind at halftime, 31-7, in the opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday. All they did was pull off one of the most miraculous victories in school history. Hawkins led a stirring comeback that culminated in a game-tying touchdown with 16 seconds … [Read more...] about Hawkins leads miraculous rally; Central advances to 2nd round of playoffs
Riordan, Reiter help Simpson to win in highest scoring Div. III game ever
Former Ankeny players Conor Riordan and Adam Reiter combined for 77 points Saturday in the highest scoring men's basketball game in NCAA Division III history. Riordan made two free throws with 6 seconds left in overtime to give Simpson College a 161-160 victory over Greenville in the Carroll Pre-Thanksgiving Tournament at Waukesha, Wis. The combined … [Read more...] about Riordan, Reiter help Simpson to win in highest scoring Div. III game ever
Reiter, Riordan enjoy ‘great experience’ despite 45-point loss at Drake
There was no way Conor Riordan was going to sit out Sunday's exhibition men's basketball game at Drake. The Simpson College point guard from Ankeny injured his right hand during Saturday's win over Westminster (Mo.) at Storm Lake, but he was back on the court less than 24 hours later as the Storm dropped a 98-53 decision at the Knapp Center. "I'm going … [Read more...] about Reiter, Riordan enjoy ‘great experience’ despite 45-point loss at Drake
Nation’s No. 8 team edges Wartburg in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
An early goal proved to be the difference as the Wartburg College women's soccer team ended its season on Sunday with a 1-0 loss to eighth-ranked Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship at Waverly. The Sagehens (19-1-1) scored the game's only goal at the 6-minute mark, when sophomore Anna Ponzio settled a ball in … [Read more...] about Nation’s No. 8 team edges Wartburg in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
Season ends for Whitaker, Iowa women with 1-0 loss at Kansas
A late scoring opportunity for Riley Whitaker and the Iowa women's soccer team went awry, allowing third-seeded Kansas to hold on for a 1-0 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night at Rock Chalk Park. The Hawkeyes finished the season with a 15-5-1 record. "That was the game we came here for," said Iowa coach Dave DiIanni. … [Read more...] about Season ends for Whitaker, Iowa women with 1-0 loss at Kansas
Moss interception seals Iowa’s 23-19 victory over undefeated Gophers
The Minnesota Gophers seem to bring out the best in Riley Moss. Moss, a former Ankeny Centennial star, intercepted two passes in Iowa's 48-31 victory at Minnesota last season. On Saturday, the sophomore defensive back came up with perhaps the biggest play of his collegiate career. Moss intercepted another pass on Minnesota's final drive to seal the … [Read more...] about Moss interception seals Iowa’s 23-19 victory over undefeated Gophers
Macke continues to thrive on volleyball court, despite Bulldogs’ struggles
While Drake volleyball standout Kylee Macke has enjoyed another excellent season on the court, the Bulldogs have struggled to build on their recent success. Macke, a former Ankeny Centennial libero, had 20 digs on Friday in the Bulldogs' loss to Northern Iowa before a crowd of 1,245 at the Knapp Center. The Panthers posted a 25-18, 26-24, 25-17 victory to … [Read more...] about Macke continues to thrive on volleyball court, despite Bulldogs’ struggles
Macke moves into 2nd place on Drake’s all-time career digs list
Whitaker, Hawkeyes to play at Kansas in NCAA Tournament opener
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
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
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