Last year, the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team made a surprising run to the Class 1A state championship. Now, the top-ranked Eagles are just win one away from defending their title as a prohibitive favorite. "It feels amazing," ACA setter Katie Quick said on Wednesday after the Eagles defeated No. 4 BCLUW in four sets in the Class 1A … [Read more...] about ‘We know that we’re the best team’: ACA tops BCLUW, will play Holy Trinity for title
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Eagles overcome slow start, Craighead’s cramp to beat Newell-Fonda in 4 sets
The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team overcame a slow start to defeat Newell-Fonda in four sets in the Class 1A quarterfinals on Tuesday night at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The top-seeded Eagles posted a 20-25, 25-11, 25-21, 25-14 victory to extend their winning streak to 27 matches. The loss ended an 11-match winning streak for Newell-Fonda … [Read more...] about Eagles overcome slow start, Craighead’s cramp to beat Newell-Fonda in 4 sets
Eagles return to state with sweep over Riverside, will face Newell-Fonda next
The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team will take a 26-match winning streak into next week's state tournament. The top-ranked Eagles advanced to state with a 25-19, 25-18, 25-12 victory over Riverside in a Class 1A regional final on Wednesday at Van Meter. They raised their record to 36-3, while Riverside ends the season at 27-11. "We accomplished … [Read more...] about Eagles return to state with sweep over Riverside, will face Newell-Fonda next
Eagles pound 22 aces in sweep over Mormon Trail, advance to regional final
The Mormon Trail volleyball team had already played top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy twice this season. But even though the Saints knew what to expect, there was little that they could do to stop the defending state champions. The host Eagles hit .418 on the night and pounded 22 aces in a 25-6, 25-15, 25-10 victory over Mormon Trail in a Class 1A … [Read more...] about Eagles pound 22 aces in sweep over Mormon Trail, advance to regional final
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Riese Gjerde, Ankeny Christian volleyball
Senior libero Riese Gjerde has helped the top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a 34-3 record. She had 11 digs on Wednesday as the Eagles swept visiting Twin Cedars in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal. Gjerde leads the team with 264 digs. She has also contributed 18 aces. Gjerde surpassed the 700-dig career mark earlier this season. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Riese Gjerde, Ankeny Christian volleyball
No. 1 Eagles sweep past Twin Cedars, will host Mormon Trail in regional semifinal
The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team is on a mission to defend its Class 1A state title. The top-ranked Eagles took their first step toward reaching their goal with a 25-10, 25-6, 25-11 victory over visiting Twin Cedars in a regional quarterfinal on Wednesday. It was the 24th straight win for ACA, which raised its record to 34-3. The Sabers … [Read more...] about No. 1 Eagles sweep past Twin Cedars, will host Mormon Trail in regional semifinal
Longtime friends celebrate their 50th anniversary of attending ISU-OSU games
Gregg Sunner has earned the bragging rights for the next year. The retired Ankeny optometrist also gets to take home the ISU vs. OSU victory trophy. Sunner attended Saturday's football game at Jack Trice Stadium along with his good friend, Walt MeGown. They were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State contest that … [Read more...] about Longtime friends celebrate their 50th anniversary of attending ISU-OSU games
BAUER POWER: Ex-Ankeny standout ignites Chippewas past South Alabama
Jase Bauer has always been able to make plays with his feet. The former Ankeny star proved it again on Saturday. Bauer, a redshirt sophomore quarterback, ran for four touchdowns and passed for another to lift the Central Michigan football team to a thrilling 34-30 victory at South Alabama. He scored the winning touchdown on a 4-yard run with 13 seconds … [Read more...] about BAUER POWER: Ex-Ankeny standout ignites Chippewas past South Alabama
Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher Christensen to play baseball at DMACC
Ankeny Christian Academy baseball standout Eli Christensen has verbally committed to play for Des Moines Area Community College in Boone. Christensen announced his decision via social media on Friday. "Excited to announce my commitment to @DMACCBaseball to continue my academic and baseball career!" he tweeted. "Blessed that God has given me this … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher Christensen to play baseball at DMACC
Ankeny Little League honored for commitment to safety of its players
The Ankeny Little League has been honored for its commitment to the safety and well-being of its players. Ankeny is one of 10 communities from across the nation that was recognized. The safety and well-being of all participants in the Little League Program has always been a top priority, and since 1995, Little League and Musco Lighting have … [Read more...] about Ankeny Little League honored for commitment to safety of its players
Quick Decision: ACA volleyball star commits to play for Bulldogs
Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball star Katie Quick will be staying close to home after graduation. The junior has verbally committed to play for Drake, beginning in the fall of 2025. She announced her decision on social media Wednesday. "I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to Drake University to continue my volleyball and academic … [Read more...] about Quick Decision: ACA volleyball star commits to play for Bulldogs
Ex-Jaguar Anderson finds new home, transfers from St. Thomas to Wartburg
Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Olivia Anderson has found a new home. And it's one that her parents, Taylor and Holly, know quite well. Anderson has transferred from the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) to Wartburg College in Waverly. "Both my parents actually went there and played sports as well so that is a cool connection," said … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Anderson finds new home, transfers from St. Thomas to Wartburg
Hergenreter wins Youth Development Women’s title at Triathlon Championships
A strong finish allowed Alexis Hergenreter to emerge victorious in the 2023 USA Triathlon National Championships last week in Milwaukee, Wis. Hergenreter, who will be a freshman at Ankeny in the fall, pulled away in the running portion of the event to win the Youth Development Women's Draft-Legal Division (ages 13-15). Representing Team Z3 Triathlon, she … [Read more...] about Hergenreter wins Youth Development Women’s title at Triathlon Championships
Turbo Track Club places 2nd in 4×100 relay at AAU Junior Olympic Nationals
Jack Belding and Tyler Sickerson of Ankeny helped the Turbo Track Club to a runner-up finish in the 4x100 relay in the 17-18 division at the AAU Junior Olympic Nationals last week at Drake Stadium. Belding and Sickerson teamed up with Colton Manock of North Polk and Logan Fairchild of Winterset to post a time of 41.12 seconds in the final. The team ran a … [Read more...] about Turbo Track Club places 2nd in 4×100 relay at AAU Junior Olympic Nationals
ACA sophomore earns 10th-place finish at 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games
Ava LaBounty is one of the fittest teenagers in the world. LaBounty, who will be a sophomore at Ankeny Christian Academy in the fall, competed in the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games last week at Madison, Wis. Competing against girls from around the world, she placed 10th in the 14-15 year old girls' division. The CrossFit Games are the ultimate proving … [Read more...] about ACA sophomore earns 10th-place finish at 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games
Grand View’s Miller transfers to UNI after placing 9th in javelin at NAIA nationals
Former Ankeny thrower Justice Miller has decided to join the Northern Iowa men's track and field program. Justice will transfer from Grand View University, where he spent the first two seasons of his college career. "(Grand View) was some of the best times (of my life), and I really do love the team," Miller said. "But it was a mixture of wanting to be … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Miller transfers to UNI after placing 9th in javelin at NAIA nationals
‘We stood toe-to-toe with them’: Eagles fall in district final at No. 4 Lynnville-Sully
For the second straight year, Ankeny Christian Academy's baseball season ended with a loss in a Class 1A district final. The Eagles dropped a 4-2 decision on Saturday at fourth-ranked Lynnville-Sully, which defeated ACA for the second time this season. The Hawks won the first matchup, 7-2, on May 27. "I was really proud of the way the boys battled," … [Read more...] about ‘We stood toe-to-toe with them’: Eagles fall in district final at No. 4 Lynnville-Sully
‘I think we’ve got a shot’: Eagles move two wins away from trip to state tourney
The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team hasn't achieved the same kind of success that the Eagles did last season, when they finished with a 26-2 record. But that doesn't mean ACA can't qualify for the Class 1A state tournament. The Eagles moved two wins away from accomplishing that goal by defeating Grand View Christian, 5-2, in a district semifinal … [Read more...] about ‘I think we’ve got a shot’: Eagles move two wins away from trip to state tourney
Ex-Jaguar Strait signs deal to play pro basketball for KK Joker in Serbian league
Former Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball star Hunter Strait has signed a contract to play professionally in Serbia. Strait will be joining the team that is named after NBA superstar Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, KK Joker. "This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid," said Strait, a 6-foot-2 guard. "I always wanted to play … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Strait signs deal to play pro basketball for KK Joker in Serbian league
Mahoney, Christensen lead Eagles past Murray in Class 1A district quarterfinal
There's an old adage that says it's difficult to beat an opponent three times in the same season. The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team proved otherwise on Saturday. The Eagles opened postseason play with an 11-1 victory over Bluegrass Conference rival Murray in six innings in a Class 1A district quarterfinal at Northview Park. The Mustangs (4-19) … [Read more...] about Mahoney, Christensen lead Eagles past Murray in Class 1A district quarterfinal