Ankeny Fanatic

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‘We sure didn’t show any rust’: Clark, Crawford lead Jaguars past Waukee NW

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There was no holiday rust for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The sixth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 23-7 lead and rolled to a 44-30 victory over No. 7 Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference game on Tuesday at Centennial. "We've been having great practices throughout the break so we were ready to finally get back out on the court and … [Read more...] about ‘We sure didn’t show any rust’: Clark, Crawford lead Jaguars past Waukee NW

Aguirre scores career-high 28 points, but Ankeny boys tumble to No. 5 Valley

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Despite a career-high 28 points from Lio Aguirre, the Ankeny boys' basketball team dropped a 70-58 decision at fifth-ranked Valley on Tuesday. The Tigers pulled away in the second half for their fourth straight victory. They improved to 5-2 in the CIML Conference and 6-2 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 2-5 and 3-7. The Hawks have lost three … [Read more...] about Aguirre scores career-high 28 points, but Ankeny boys tumble to No. 5 Valley

‘It’s not the record we want’: Hawkettes drop to 5-5 with another close loss

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There's an old saying, "Close only counts in horseshoes." For the Ankeny girls' basketball team, coming close to earning a victory is becoming a frustrating habit. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes were looking to start off 2023 with a big win on Tuesday, but their upset bid at No. 4 Valley fell just short. The Tigers made a late 3-point goal to post a 41-38 … [Read more...] about ‘It’s not the record we want’: Hawkettes drop to 5-5 with another close loss

Kohl racks up 62 total yards, helps team to 14-7 win at UA Next All-America Game

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Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl helped Team Phantom to a 14-7 victory over Team Speed in the 2023 Under Armour Next All-America Game on Tuesday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game was televised on ESPN2. Kohl, an Iowa State recruit, was one of 100 players from across the nation who were selected to participate in the game. He shared the quarterback … [Read more...] about Kohl racks up 62 total yards, helps team to 14-7 win at UA Next All-America Game

‘Our girls continue to impress’: Ankeny extends winning streak to 10 matches

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team doesn't look like a first-year varsity program to most outside observers. Ankeny extended its dual-meet winning streak to 10 matches by defeating a pair of opponents on Tuesday at West Marshall. Coach Dustin Roland's team rolled to a 70-6 victory over Marshalltown and a 57-24 win over the host Trojans. Ankeny raised its … [Read more...] about ‘Our girls continue to impress’: Ankeny extends winning streak to 10 matches

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)

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When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March of 2020, Ankeny Fanatic took advantage of the unexpected break from high school sports to publish the first of its many all-time Ankeny teams, recognizing the best boys' basketball players in the community's history. This has since turned into a three-year project. Ankeny Fanatic has now published its … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Xander Kenworthy, Ankeny wrestling

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Senior Xander Kenworthy has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team to a 12-1 record, including a 5-0 mark in the CIML Conference. He is currently ranked seventh in Class 3A at 182 pounds with a 13-2 record. Kenworthy was a state qualifier last year at 170. He posted a 26-15 mark as a junior. Here is some inside info on Kenworthy: How is the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Xander Kenworthy, Ankeny wrestling

Centennial’s Heckenlaible verbally commits to play soccer at St. Louis

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Andrew Heckenlaible looked beyond the next level when picking a college. He was looking for a school that could get him to the professional level. Heckenlaible found what he desired in St. Louis University. "I'm very excited to announce my verbal commitment to St. Louis University where I plan to further my … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Heckenlaible verbally commits to play soccer at St. Louis

‘Back in the 515’: Former Ankeny receiver Kumm to continue career at Grand View

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After a brief stop in Iowa City, former Ankeny receiver Jordan Kumm is looking to finish his college football career in Des Moines. Kumm announced on Twitter Saturday that he will transfer to Grand View and play for the Vikings. "I'm blessed to announce that I will be back in the 515 to continue my academic and athletic career at Grand View … [Read more...] about ‘Back in the 515’: Former Ankeny receiver Kumm to continue career at Grand View

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Gia Blaser, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

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Senior Gia Blaser of the Ankeny girls' wrestling team currently boasts a 20-6 record. She ranks second on the squad in wins behind Nora Bockes, who is 21-4. Blaser started the season at 145 pounds, but has since dropped down to 140. She placed second in the Raccoon River tournament on Dec. 17 at Adel. Here is some inside info on Blaser: How is the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Gia Blaser, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

‘It was impossible to turn down’: Ex-Jag Gibson to finish career at Tennessee Tech

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Former Ankeny Centennial quarterback Hayes Gibson is headed to Tennessee Tech. After spending one season at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, Gibson has verbally committed to play for the Golden Eagles, who compete in the FCS and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference. "When I arrived on campus for my visit at Tennessee Tech, I was a bit skeptical … [Read more...] about ‘It was impossible to turn down’: Ex-Jag Gibson to finish career at Tennessee Tech

Hawk wrestlers record 12 pins, throttle Waukee schools to raise record to 12-1

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The Ankeny wrestling team is getting a well-deserved break. After placing third in the Battle of Waterloo over the weekend, the fourth-ranked Hawks completed their pre-Christmas schedule on Tuesday with a CIML Conference triangular meet at Waukee. They rolled to a 55-18 victory over the host Warriors, then followed with a 48-26 win over No. 13 Waukee … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers record 12 pins, throttle Waukee schools to raise record to 12-1

‘They bowled amazing’: S.E. Polk teams sweep dual meet against Ankeny

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There was no home lanes advantage for the Ankeny bowling teams on Tuesday at Great Escape. Both Ankeny squads were soundly defeated in a CIML Conference dual meet by Southeast Polk, which also uses Great Escape as its home venue. "It was a rough day for both teams," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. "We just ran into a buzzsaw." The Rams won the … [Read more...] about ‘They bowled amazing’: S.E. Polk teams sweep dual meet against Ankeny

IN THE ZONE: Winkel scores career-high 30, leads No. 4 Jaguars past Ankeny boys

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It's been a dream season thus far for Luke Winkel and the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. On Tuesday night, it only got better. Winkel poured in a career-high 30 points and the fourth-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 65-46 victory at Ankeny. The win allowed Centennial to take a 10-9 lead in the all-time series and avenged … [Read more...] about IN THE ZONE: Winkel scores career-high 30, leads No. 4 Jaguars past Ankeny boys

‘We have to fight’: Jaguars seek mental toughness after losing to Valley, S.E. Polk

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It's not often that a wrestling team would want to be compared to the NFL's Detroit Lions. But that's exactly who Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth compared his squad to following Tuesday's triangular meet at Southeast Polk. "We've got to get healthy," Groth said after the Jaguars suffered losses to Southeast Polk and Valley. "We have three varsity … [Read more...] about ‘We have to fight’: Jaguars seek mental toughness after losing to Valley, S.E. Polk

Motivated Jaguars dominate boards, roll past Ankeny to avenge last year’s loss

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong didn't have to remind his players what happened the last time the Jaguars played at crosstown rival Ankeny. Last February, the Hawkettes posted a 49-45 victory to defeat Centennial for the first time ever. "That was definitely some extra motivation," Centennial senior Averi Porter said after the … [Read more...] about Motivated Jaguars dominate boards, roll past Ankeny to avenge last year’s loss

Hawk swimmers tumble to No. 2 Ames, despite Swanepoel’s pair of pool records

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The fourth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team dropped a 108-62 decision at No. 2 Ames in a non-conference dual meet on Tuesday. The Little Cyclones won nine of the 11 events, including all three relays. The Hawks dropped to 0-3-1 on the season. "Our team did pretty well," said Ankeny assistant coach Steve Jones, who is directing the team during the … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers tumble to No. 2 Ames, despite Swanepoel’s pair of pool records