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‘It’s kind of a relief’: Two-time defending champ Eagles move closer to threepeat

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Eagles are soaring back to Coralville with a chance to make history. Two-time reigning Class 1A state volleyball champion Ankeny Christian Academy has its sights set on a threepeat, and the top-ranked Eagles are one step closer to that goal after sweeping Southeast Warren, 25-15, 25-14, 25-11, in the Region 1 … [Read more...] about ‘It’s kind of a relief’: Two-time defending champ Eagles move closer to threepeat

Eagles sweep Sigourney, will play SE Warren for another trip to 1A state tourney

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It's hard to prepare for the aggressiveness of Ankeny Christian Academy's serves. Just ask the Sigourney volleyball players. The top-ranked Eagles pounded 20 more aces and rolled to a 25-8, 25-15, 25-9 victory over visiting Sigourney in a Class 1A regional semifinal on Monday. "Our serving was solid again," said ACA coach Michele Quick, whose team … [Read more...] about Eagles sweep Sigourney, will play SE Warren for another trip to 1A state tourney

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Anna Weathers, Ankeny Christian volleyball

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Senior Anna Weathers helped the top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a sweep over visiting Melcher-Dallas in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal on Wednesday. She had five kills in five total attacks for a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage and also recorded six digs. Weathers ranks third on the team with 226 kills and is hitting .416 on the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Anna Weathers, Ankeny Christian volleyball

ACA boys’ cross country team wins district title, qualifies for state along with Oshirak

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The sixth-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy boys' cross country team advanced to the Class 1A state meet by winning a district title on Thursday at Jewell. The Eagles placed five runners in the top 12 and scored 28 points. No. 14 Baxter was the runner-up with 101 points and also qualified for state. ACA was led by junior Alex Davis, who took second in … [Read more...] about ACA boys’ cross country team wins district title, qualifies for state along with Oshirak

‘It was pretty much a serving game’: ACA racks up 23 aces, sweeps Melcher-Dallas

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The first step toward a third consecutive Class 1A state championship proved to be an easy one for the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team. The top-ranked Eagles cruised to a 25-3, 25-15, 25-5 victory over visiting Melcher-Dallas in a regional quarterfinal on Wednesday. It was their second win over the Saints, who finished the season with a 9-13 … [Read more...] about ‘It was pretty much a serving game’: ACA racks up 23 aces, sweeps Melcher-Dallas

IGHSAU: State softball tourney to move to double elimination format in 2026

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Board of Directors unanimously approved the Iowa State Softball Tournament moving to a double-elimination format in 2026 at their meeting on Thursday. “Anyone that has watched the Softball College World Series knows how exciting the double-elimination format is,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich. “We … [Read more...] about IGHSAU: State softball tourney to move to double elimination format in 2026

Ex-Hawk Patton’s 2nd career pick helps Iowa State to first 6-0 start since 1938

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Former Ankeny football standout Jamison Patton recorded his second career interception on Saturday to help unbeaten Iowa State to a 28-16 victory at West Virginia. Patton, a sophomore defensive back, picked off a pass from quarterback Garrett Greene late in the third quarter when Iowa State held a 14-10 lead and the Mountaineers were threatening to score. … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Patton’s 2nd career pick helps Iowa State to first 6-0 start since 1938

Moss records career-high 12 tackles in first NFL start as Broncos fall at Seattle

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Former Ankeny Centennial and Iowa football star Riley Moss made a career-high 12 tackles in his first NFL start for the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Moss, a second-year cornerback, was credited with eight solo tackles and four assists in Denver's 26-20 loss to Seattle at Lumen Field. The Broncos became the first team since 2017 to record two safeties and two … [Read more...] about Moss records career-high 12 tackles in first NFL start as Broncos fall at Seattle

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eli Christensen, ACA baseball

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Senior pitcher Eli Christensen led the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to an 18-9 record. He was named to the Class 1A all-state third team and to the Central all-district first team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Christensen posted a 7-3 record with a 1.60 ERA while limiting opposing batters to a .185 average. He led Class … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eli Christensen, ACA baseball

‘I just couldn’t be prouder’: Christensen tosses gem, but ACA falls in 9 innings

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With a trip to the state tournament on the line, one run was all that was needed to settle Class 1A Substate 7’s representative. The Ankeny Christian Academy Eagles (18-9) attempted to knock off the fifth-ranked Lynnville-Sully Hawks (26-3) during Tuesday's substate final in Pella. The Hawks ultimately outlasted ACA with a … [Read more...] about ‘I just couldn’t be prouder’: Christensen tosses gem, but ACA falls in 9 innings

‘It’s been a super long process’: Ex-Jaguar hoops star Crews to play for Ashland

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Jaron Crews has found a new home. Crews, a guard, announced on Friday that he has committed to play for Ashland University, an NCAA Division II program. The school is located in Ashland, Ohio, which sits about halfway between Columbus and Cleveland. "I built a good relationship with the coaching staff and … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been a super long process’: Ex-Jaguar hoops star Crews to play for Ashland

‘Everything happens for a reason’: Brecht selected by Rockies with 38th pick

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Brody Brecht had to wait a little longer than expected to hear his name called. But in the end, it all worked out. The former Ankeny and Iowa pitcher was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the 38th pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball amateur draft on Sunday night. He was chosen in the Competitive Balance Round A, becoming Iowa's first first-round … [Read more...] about ‘Everything happens for a reason’: Brecht selected by Rockies with 38th pick

‘We’ve never been here before’: Eagles advance to substate final for first time

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball program has reached unprecedented heights. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final for the first time in school history by defeating Earlham, 5-3, in a district final on Saturday at Ankeny High School. "The guys have put in a ton of work this year," said Ankeny Christian coach Ryan Johnson. "It's the first … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve never been here before’: Eagles advance to substate final for first time

‘We’re pretty happy about the season’: Eagles close out debut campaign at 18-7

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There’s no question that Ankeny Christian Academy’s softball team knew they had some serious talent in the lineup. But with it being the first season in the program’s history, the 2024 season was all about laying the foundation. So while the Eagles saw their season come to an end following a 7-0 loss at fifth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We’re pretty happy about the season’: Eagles close out debut campaign at 18-7

Five questions with former Ankeny star and MLB draft prospect Brody Brecht

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Former Ankeny star Brody Brecht is projected to be a first-round pick in the MLB amateur draft that gets under way on Sunday. Iowa's all-time and single-season strikeout leader is considered one of the top collegiate pitching prospects in this year's draft. While his command could push him into a relief role at the next level, his big-time stuff is the … [Read more...] about Five questions with former Ankeny star and MLB draft prospect Brody Brecht

‘This team is never out of it’: Eagles rally from 7-0 deficit to win postseason debut

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Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher Katie Quick wasn't too concerned when the Coon Rapids-Bayard softball team scored seven runs in the top of the first inning during Wednesday's Class 1A regional quarterfinal at the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex. "I was a little worried, but I know we can score that many (runs)," said Quick. "I was just thinking we need to … [Read more...] about ‘This team is never out of it’: Eagles rally from 7-0 deficit to win postseason debut