Saturday's non-conference dual meet at Linn-Mar (Marion) was a good test for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. The fourth-ranked Hawks, who will return to eastern Iowa in four weeks for the state meet, earned perhaps their biggest win of the season with a 90-80 victory over No. 5 Linn-Mar. They finished the dual-meet schedule with an overall record to … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers edge Linn-Mar in battle of top-5 teams, finish 4-3-1 in duals
News
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
For several months, Ankeny Fanatic has been contacting the members of its all-time Ankeny football team to get a reaction from some of the players, as well as stories and favorite memories from their high school careers. One former Ankeny standout responded with a poem that he wrote. Ross Naylor entitled it, "Pezzetti's Proposal", in honor of his … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
‘Mama I’m a Cowboy’: Ex-Ankeny star, former Iowa wideout Bruce lands at OSU
Former Iowa wide receiver Arland Bruce IV has landed in Stillwater. Bruce announced via Twitter on Saturday that he will transfer to Oklahoma State. "Mama I'm a Cowboy #gopokes," he tweeted. Bruce, who helped lead Ankeny to the Class 4A state championship in 2020, spent two seasons at Iowa. He caught 19 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown as a … [Read more...] about ‘Mama I’m a Cowboy’: Ex-Ankeny star, former Iowa wideout Bruce lands at OSU
‘We all knew we could win’: Hawks pull off stunning upset over No. 3 Waukee
Ankeny's Maddox Ward blew a kiss to the Waukee students as the final seconds ticked off the clock. The senior guard made a pair of late 3-point goals to lift the Hawks to a stunning 56-51 upset over third-ranked Waukee in a CIML Conference boys' basketball game on Friday at Ankeny. "It feels great," said Ward, who scored all 11 of his points in the … [Read more...] about ‘We all knew we could win’: Hawks pull off stunning upset over No. 3 Waukee
Waukee girls win seesaw battle against Ankeny, despite Gage’s career-high 29
In the rugged CIML Conference, even an unranked team like Waukee could be a threat to make a deep run in the girls' basketball postseason. The Warriors showed how dangerous they could potentially be on Friday, when they posted a 69-58 victory at 13th-ranked Ankeny. They avenged an earlier 46-42 loss to the Hawkettes. "They did a really good job of … [Read more...] about Waukee girls win seesaw battle against Ankeny, despite Gage’s career-high 29
‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys bounce back from loss to beat J-Hawks
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team missed an opportunity to make up some ground in the CIML Conference when Waukee Northwest lost to Valley on Tuesday--because the Jaguars also lost at Dowling Catholic. Centennial took advantage of another opportunity Friday when league leader Waukee lost at Ankeny. This time, the fourth-ranked Jaguars posted … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys bounce back from loss to beat J-Hawks
With a chip on their shoulder, Jaguars romp to 77-28 victory at Urbandale
Each time the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has suffered a loss this season, the Jaguars have bounced back with a resounding victory. Seventh-ranked Centennial did it again on Friday with a 77-28 win at Urbandale. The Jaguars are now 4-0 in games after a loss--with an average winning margin of 35.8 points. "You hope when you're coming off a … [Read more...] about With a chip on their shoulder, Jaguars romp to 77-28 victory at Urbandale
Hawks stay perfect in CIML Conference with victories over Valley, Dowling
With two more victories on Thursday, the Ankeny wrestling team has put itself in position to win the CIML Conference dual-meet championship. The fourth-ranked Hawks posted a 42-23 win at No. 5 Valley in the opener of a triangular meet. They then followed with a 46-30 triumph over Dowling Catholic. Ankeny raised its records to 7-0 in the conference and … [Read more...] about Hawks stay perfect in CIML Conference with victories over Valley, Dowling
Jaguars roll past No. 7 Johnston, could be in position to host 3A regional dual
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers may have secured a top-eight seed for the Class 3A regional duals later this month. The eighth-ranked Jaguars defeated a pair of opponents on Thursday during a CIML Conference triangular at Centennial. After rolling to a 70-4 win over Waukee, Centennial followed with a 62-15 triumph over No. 7 Johnston--which is one of the … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past No. 7 Johnston, could be in position to host 3A regional dual
‘It was definitely a nailbiter’: Ankeny boys’ team edges Valley bowlers by 2 pins
For the Ankeny boys' bowling team, Thursday's dual meet against visiting Valley came down to the last frame at Great Escape. A final shot by the Tigers left two pins standing, allowing Ankeny to emerge with the victory by the narrowest of margins. The Hawks won by a score of 2,807 to 2,805. "It literally came down to the last frame where a great shot … [Read more...] about ‘It was definitely a nailbiter’: Ankeny boys’ team edges Valley bowlers by 2 pins
Ankeny swimmers beat S.E. Polk to even their records, will face Linn-Mar next
It's been a good week thus far for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. After rolling to a non-conference win over visiting Indianola on Tuesday, the fourth-ranked Hawks traveled to Southeast Polk on Thursday and dominated a CIML Conference dual meet. Ankeny won all 11 events and romped to a 132-38 victory over the No. 18 Rams. The Hawks evened their … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers beat S.E. Polk to even their records, will face Linn-Mar next
Johnson’s game-winner with 1.4 seconds left allows Central to edge Buena Vista
Abby Johnson left the Northern State women's basketball team after her freshman season. The former Ankeny standout appears to be fitting in nicely with her new squad. Johnson, a sophomore guard, made a game-winning layup with 1.4 seconds left to give Central College a 60-58 victory over visiting Buena Vista on Wednesday. The Dutch earned their first … [Read more...] about Johnson’s game-winner with 1.4 seconds left allows Central to edge Buena Vista
FOUL PLAY: Jaguars adjust slowly to ‘tighter whistle’ in loss at No. 8 Dowling
Some early foul trouble proved to be disastrous for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars fell behind in the first quarter at No. 8 Dowling Catholic, 22-10, and could never recover. The Maroons went on to post a 57-40 victory. "We just didn't play well enough," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "The foul … [Read more...] about FOUL PLAY: Jaguars adjust slowly to ‘tighter whistle’ in loss at No. 8 Dowling
‘They were the more aggressive team’: Dowling avenges 37-point loss to Jags
There are no nights off in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team learned that lesson on Tuesday night. The fourth-ranked Jaguars suffered a 52-47 loss at Dowling Catholic, which avenged last month's 78-41 shellacking at Centennial. "Hats off to them," Centennial coach Bob Fontana said of the Maroons. "They … [Read more...] about ‘They were the more aggressive team’: Dowling avenges 37-point loss to Jags
‘The boys had a fun time competing’: Hawk swimmers cruise past Indianola
The Ankeny boys' swimming team is trending in the right direction. That was the assessment of coach Justin Crouch following the fourth-ranked Hawks' 128-42 victory over No. 19 Indianola in a non-conference meet on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "The boys had a fun time competing tonight," said Crouch. "It was good to get a win, but even … [Read more...] about ‘The boys had a fun time competing’: Hawk swimmers cruise past Indianola
Ankeny girls rout Urbandale, then edge Rams to claim league dual-meet crown
Chalk up another accomplishment for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program in its inaugural season. Ankeny wrapped up the CIML Conference dual-meet championship with a pair of wins over Urbandale and host Southeast Polk on Tuesday. Coach Dustin Roland's team rolled to a 72-6 victory over the J-Hawks, then followed with a 42-34 win over the Rams. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rout Urbandale, then edge Rams to claim league dual-meet crown
‘We got exposed’: Ankeny hangs around for awhile before Dragons dominate
The Central Iowa Metropolitan League boasts seven of the top 11 teams in Class 5A in the latest girls' basketball rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Despite the overall strength of the nine-team league, top-ranked Johnston continues to dominate its CIML rivals. The defending state champion Dragons extended their winning streak to … [Read more...] about ‘We got exposed’: Ankeny hangs around for awhile before Dragons dominate
Johnston boys pull away with 24-5 run in 3rd quarter, defeat Hawks for 2nd time
This time, the Johnston boys' basketball team didn't blow a big lead. The Dragons, who let a 16-point cushion in the fourth quarter slip away in a 65-64 loss at fifth-ranked Indianola on Saturday, bounced back with a 63-50 victory over visiting Ankeny on Tuesday. They opened the second half with a 24-5 run to build a 54-29 advantage, then cruised to the … [Read more...] about Johnston boys pull away with 24-5 run in 3rd quarter, defeat Hawks for 2nd time
Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach
Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson is headed back to Cedar Falls. Nelson, who was a longtime assistant coach at Northern Iowa before taking over the Hawks' program in 2015, has announced his resignation. He will rejoin the Panthers' staff as the offensive line coach. Nelson replaces Ryan Clanton, who was the offensive line coach and offensive … [Read more...] about Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 208
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews Cole Netten and JJ Kohl about their selections to the Fanatic all-time Ankeny football team. Kohl also discusses his performance at last week's Under Armour Next All-America Game in Orlando. Ankeny Fanatic sponsor Nick Jarosh of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 208