Ankeny Fanatic

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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

Ankeny Hawk trap shooting team places 2nd overall at Regional SCTP meet

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The Ankeny Hawk trap shooting team placed in every division of last weekend’s Regional Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) trap competition. A total of 23 teams from across the Midwest competed. The Hawks earned second place in singles and handicap competition, along with a third-place finish in doubles. The team also took home second place overall, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Hawk trap shooting team places 2nd overall at Regional SCTP meet

More about Ankeny Fanatic’s future from Publisher Dan Holm

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Dear Citizens of Ankeny, Are you going to the Ankeny Derby at Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday night? If not, Ankeny Fanatic will be there to provide complete coverage of both the Jag-Hawk soccer games. That is what we do. When we launched Ankeny Fanatic in January of 2018, we did so to fill a void. We felt like the community of Ankeny, one of America's … [Read more...] about More about Ankeny Fanatic’s future from Publisher Dan Holm

Tobey wins Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

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Nate Tobey is the winner of the Ankeny Fanatic NCAA Tournament pool. He finished with 100 points. Nate correctly picked 15 of the Sweet 16 teams and six of the Elite 8 teams. He picked Virginia and Texas Tech to reach the Final 4 and also had Virginia advancing to the championship game. Nate received a $50 gift card to the Yankee Clipper. He also won a … [Read more...] about Tobey wins Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

Dickey to be inducted into Rasmussen Coaches Hall of Fame on Thursday

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Toni Dickey was surprised when Ankeny High School Activities Director Brent Buttjer visited her classroom about a month ago. "We started chatting, and he talked about how the golf tournament is going to be named after me," Dickey said of the annual Hawkette Invitational, which will be played on Thursday at Otter Creek Golf Course. "And then he said, … [Read more...] about Dickey to be inducted into Rasmussen Coaches Hall of Fame on Thursday

Simpson’s Riordan named to USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team

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Former Ankeny basketball standout Conor Riordan will be heading to South America this summer. A junior guard on the Simpson College men's squad, Riordan has been named to the USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team that is headed to Brazil. He is the first Simpson player to be a part of this team. "I'm really excited and humbled by the opportunity," … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Riordan named to USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team

‘It’s insane’: Kasperbauer helps Kirkwood to NJCAA Division II national crown

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It's time for Connor Kasperbauer to get fitted for a national championship ring. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Kirkwood College men's basketball team to the NJCAA Division II title on Saturday in Danville, Ill. He scored three points in 29 minutes of action as the top-seeded Eagles posted a 64-58 victory over second-seeded Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘It’s insane’: Kasperbauer helps Kirkwood to NJCAA Division II national crown

Lindaman blasts homer against former team, leads Gators to 2-0 victory

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Kendyl Lindaman knew what pitch to expect from Minnesota's Amber Fiser. And she didn't miss it. Lindaman slugged a two-run homer in the first inning to provide the game's only runs as sixth-ranked Florida defeated the No. 20 Gophers, 2-0, in a top-25 softball showdown on Wednesday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville. Lindaman, a former … [Read more...] about Lindaman blasts homer against former team, leads Gators to 2-0 victory

Ex-Jaguar Wycoff helps Mid-America Christian to NCCAA women’s crown

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Three years ago, Sydney Wycoff helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a Class 5A state title. Now, the sharpshooting guard is a national champion. Wycoff, a 5-foot-6 freshman, scored two points and had two rebounds in 21 minutes of action on Saturday as Mid-America Christian University captured its second consecutive NCCAA women's … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Wycoff helps Mid-America Christian to NCCAA women’s crown

Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

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Are you ready for some March Madness? The NCAA Tournament pairings have been announced. Eight teams are headed to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines for the first two rounds on Thursday and Saturday. You can enter the Ankeny Fanatic NCAA Tournament pool sponsored by the Yankee Clipper and win a couple of great prizes. The winner of the pool will receive a … [Read more...] about Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

ACA’s Selindh named Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year

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Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball coach Paul Selindh has been named the Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. Selindh guided the Eagles to a 23-1 record, including the first undefeated regular season in school history. His team advanced to a substate final before suffering its only loss of the year--a … [Read more...] about ACA’s Selindh named Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year

Finally healthy again, ex-Jaguar Jones is Valpo’s top hitter

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It doesn't matter to Brent Jones which position he plays. The Valparaiso University baseball player is just happy to be back in the lineup. After missing the last two seasons due to injuries, Jones is now the leading hitter for the Crusaders. The former Ankeny Centennial standout is batting .327 with four extra-base hits and nine RBIs in the first 13 … [Read more...] about Finally healthy again, ex-Jaguar Jones is Valpo’s top hitter

Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer earns All-Region honorable mention

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Former Ankeny Centennial standout Connor Kasperbauer was among the Kirkwood Community College players to be listed on the Division II Region XI Men's Basketball All-Region teams. The redshirt freshman shooting guard received honorable mention. Kasperbauer has started all 31 games this season, helping the Eagles to a 27-4 record and a berth in the Division … [Read more...] about Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer earns All-Region honorable mention

Ankeny Christian Academy’s Grizzle named to Class 1A all-state third team

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Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball standout Caleb Grizzle has been named to the Class 1A all-state third team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Grizzle, a 6-foot-7 senior center, led Ankeny Christian Academy to the first undefeated regular season in school history. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final before dropping a 58-56 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian Academy’s Grizzle named to Class 1A all-state third team