Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Top Sports Stories

Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship

by

Cleao Murray has led the Grand View women's basketball team to unprecedented heights. The former Ankeny Centennial star scored 19 points to help the Vikings to a 65-62 victory over visiting Benedictine (Kan.) in the championship game of the Heart of America Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Sisam Arena. She went 8-of-19 from the field, including 2-of-6 … [Read more...] about Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship

Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history

by

Taylor Runchey's final collegiate basketball season will conclude at the NCAA Division III Final Four. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Wartburg College women's team to a 68-58 victory over Washington and Lee University in the Elite 8 on Saturday at Providence, R.I. She had three rebounds, an assist and a block in 29 minutes of … [Read more...] about Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history

Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College

by

Taylor Runchey and the Wartburg College women's basketball team have reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Runchey, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, helped the Knights to a 54-53 victory over Bates College in the Sweet 16 round of the Division III tournament on Friday at Providence, R.I. She had two points, five rebounds and four assists in the … [Read more...] about Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College

Ex-Jaguar Porter enters transfer portal after freshman season at William Jewell

by

Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Averi Porter is looking for a new home. Porter, a freshman guard for the William Jewell women's team, announced Wednesday on social media that she has entered the transfer portal. "I’d like to thank my teammates for an amazing first year at William Jewell," she tweeted on X. "I will always be grateful for … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Porter enters transfer portal after freshman season at William Jewell

‘It’s a way of life’: Bakker excited to take on new role as Ankeny Activities Director

by

Mike Bakker has officially been named the Activities Director at Ankeny High School. Bakker, who previously served as the Activities Director at Southview Middle School, has been filling the role on an interim basis since last month, when Adam McDonnell left for a new position in Cedar Rapids. "I'm really excited about maybe providing some stability to … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a way of life’: Bakker excited to take on new role as Ankeny Activities Director

Ex-Jaguar Burns scores career-high 20 points in UNK’s OT win against Washburn

by

Former Ankeny Centennial standout Meg Burns has helped the Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team to a 14-5 record this season. Burns, a redshirt junior wing, scored a career-high 20 points on Saturday as the Lopers outlasted Washburn, 75-74, in overtime at the Health & Sports Center. She went 8-of-17 from the field, including 2-of-7 from 3-point … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Burns scores career-high 20 points in UNK’s OT win against Washburn

‘Mankato just wasn’t the best fit for me’: Ex-Hawk Pelham headed to SDSU

by

Former Ankeny kicker Max Pelham is joining the two-time defending national champions. After two years as the starting punter at Minnesota State-Mankato, Pelham has decided to transfer to South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits defeated Montana, 23-3, on Jan. 7 to earn their second consecutive Football Championship Subdivision national title. "I actually … [Read more...] about ‘Mankato just wasn’t the best fit for me’: Ex-Hawk Pelham headed to SDSU

Ex-Ankeny star Bayless lifts Niagara past Iona with buzzer-beating 3-pointer

by

Braxton Bayless is still Mr. Clutch. The former Ankeny star drained a game-winning 3-point goal with less than a second left on the clock to give Niagara a 75-73 victory at Iona in a MAAC men's basketball game on Sunday. "The shot felt real good leaving my hands. I knew it was good," said Bayless. "I was in a comfortable spot on the move." Bayless … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Bayless lifts Niagara past Iona with buzzer-beating 3-pointer

‘She’s baaaack’: Ex-Jaguar star Robinson to play 5th collegiate season for Badgers

by

With a simple tweet, Devyn Robinson announced some breaking news. "Tell a friend to tell a friend...she's baaaack. #5thyear," she tweeted on Dec. 22. The former Ankeny Centennial volleyball star has elected to play a fifth collegiate season at Wisconsin, where she helped the Badgers to a national championship in 2021. Robinson, a 6-foot-2 right-side … [Read more...] about ‘She’s baaaack’: Ex-Jaguar star Robinson to play 5th collegiate season for Badgers

‘TREVER IS A BAD DUDE’: UNI’s Anderson knocks off top-ranked Camacho

by

Former Ankeny wrestling standout Trever Anderson posted the biggest victory of his collegiate career on Tuesday during the 2023 edition of the Journeymen Collegiate Duals at the Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn. Anderson, a redshirt freshman at Northern Iowa who is the No. 32/31 wrestler in the nation at 125 pounds, stunned North Carolina … [Read more...] about ‘TREVER IS A BAD DUDE’: UNI’s Anderson knocks off top-ranked Camacho

‘It’s been a good switch for me’: Murray returns home, helps Vikings to 11-1 start

by

The transition to the NAIA level is going smoothly for former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Cleao Murray. After spending one year at Missouri Western, Murray returned home and has helped the Grand View women's team to an 11-1 start this season, including an 8-1 record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The 5-foot-8 sophomore guard scored … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been a good switch for me’: Murray returns home, helps Vikings to 11-1 start

‘Excited to get to work’: Ex-Ankeny star Bauer finds new home at Sam Houston

by

Jase Bauer has found a new home. The former Ankeny quarterback announced on social media Saturday that he is transferring to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats are members of Conference USA in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). "New Chapter. Excited to get to work. #EatEmUpKats," Bauer tweeted on … [Read more...] about ‘Excited to get to work’: Ex-Ankeny star Bauer finds new home at Sam Houston

Houston’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson earn all-American honors from AVCA

by

Former Ankeny Centennial teammates Kenna Sauer and Devyn Robinson have received all-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Sauer, who made the most of her grad transfer season at Houston, has been named to the third team. In addition to earning all-American honors for the first time—and being the school’s first all-American … [Read more...] about Houston’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson earn all-American honors from AVCA

SAUER ENDING: Cougars’ star finishes career with 5-set loss to No. 2 Stanford

by

Kenna Sauer's collegiate volleyball career has come to an end. The former Ankeny Centennial star pounded 24 kills on Saturday night for her 10th career match with 20 or more, but it wasn't enough as 24th-ranked Houston was outlasted by No. 2 and top-seeded Stanford in five sets in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, … [Read more...] about SAUER ENDING: Cougars’ star finishes career with 5-set loss to No. 2 Stanford

‘I’m looking forward to this next chapter’: Chippewas’ Bauer enters transfer portal

by

Former Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer has entered the transfer portal. A redshirt sophomore at Central Michigan, Bauer announced his decision on social media Wednesday. "First and foremost I want to thank God for allowing me to play the game I love," Bauer tweeted on X. "I wouldn't be anywhere today without his love and guidance. I also want to thank my … [Read more...] about ‘I’m looking forward to this next chapter’: Chippewas’ Bauer enters transfer portal

Ankeny Christian’s Quick named to elite all-state team, Class 1A player of year

by

Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball star Katie Quick has been named to the elite all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Quick, a junior setter, was also selected the Class 1A player of the year after leading the Eagles to a second consecutive state championship. She has verbally committed to play for Drake. Quick ranked fourth in Class … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian’s Quick named to elite all-state team, Class 1A player of year

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Macey Nehring, ACA volleyball

by

Junior outside hitter Macey Nehring helped the top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a second consecutive state title last week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. She was named to the Class 1A all-tournament team. Nehring pounded 47 kills in the tournament, 16 of them on Thursday in the Eagles' sweep over No. 3 Holy Trinity Catholic in the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Macey Nehring, ACA volleyball

BACK-TO-BACK!: Eagles soar to 2nd consecutive Class 1A volleyball crown

by

The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball players wanted to close out the Class 1A state tournament in style. The top-ranked Eagles accomplished their goal. ACA swept past No. 3 Holy Trinity Catholic in the championship match on Thursday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, posting a 25-21, 25-18, 25-17 victory to capture its second consecutive crown. "We … [Read more...] about BACK-TO-BACK!: Eagles soar to 2nd consecutive Class 1A volleyball crown