Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

News

State pairings announced: Peterson to play No. 2 seed in 1st round of 2A singles

by

The pairings for the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Ankeny Centennial junior Caleb Peterson received a tough draw in the singles bracket. He will open up against second-seeded Kaden Taylor of Waukee Northwest, who was a part of last year's state champion doubles team at … [Read more...] about State pairings announced: Peterson to play No. 2 seed in 1st round of 2A singles

Ankeny boys race to sprint medley relay crown, place 3rd overall in Class 4A

by

The strategy for the Ankeny boys' sprint medley relay team was simple. Get the baton to anchor runner Tyrese Miller--the Class 4A 400-meter champion--within striking distance of the lead, and let him do the rest. It turned out that Miller didn't need to make up any ground after all. His teammates--Jack Belding, Tyler Sickerson and Tyson … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys race to sprint medley relay crown, place 3rd overall in Class 4A

Runner-up finishes in 4×400 relay, 800 allow Hawkettes to place 7th in Class 4A

by

Ankeny senior Eva Fulk sat on the infield turf at Drake Stadium and tried to catch her breath after running the final race of her high school career. Fulk helped the Hawkettes to a second-place finish in the final event of the Class 4A state meet--the 4x400 relay--on Saturday afternoon. "It's sad, but I wouldn't have wanted to do it with any other … [Read more...] about Runner-up finishes in 4×400 relay, 800 allow Hawkettes to place 7th in Class 4A

‘I knew I wanted to be a Cyclone’: Baier commits to ISU track and field program

by

Ankeny junior Hannah Baier could have followed in the footsteps of her brother. Instead, she'll be following in her parents' footsteps. Baier has verbally committed to join the Iowa State women's track and field program. She will compete in the throwing events. "Prior to my visit, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go," said Baier. "I took a visit this … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I wanted to be a Cyclone’: Baier commits to ISU track and field program

‘Dowling is just that good’: No. 1 Maroons end Ankeny’s run at state team tourney

by

Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith had no reasons to be disappointed following his squad's 5-0 loss to top-ranked Dowling Catholic in the opening round of the Class 2A state team tournament on Saturday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Maroons (11-0) are likely headed to a state championship. "I thought everyone played pretty well despite the … [Read more...] about ‘Dowling is just that good’: No. 1 Maroons end Ankeny’s run at state team tourney

Following Rasmussen’s death, Hawkettes will continue to honor program’s legacy

by

Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham said he often thinks about Dick Rasmussen, the legendary coach who guided the Hawkettes to 12 state championships. Rasmussen passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "The legacy he and his girls created is a powerful standard that can't be measured," Bingham said. "I think about him before and after every … [Read more...] about Following Rasmussen’s death, Hawkettes will continue to honor program’s legacy

Jaguars struggle at plate while being swept at Waukee, fall to 0-3 on season

by

The bats were silent on Thursday for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The fourth-ranked Jaguars were held to just six hits in a non-conference doubleheader at Waukee and were swept by the Warriors, 4-0 and 3-2. "Waukee's a pretty good team," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "We saw three really outstanding pitchers for them." Waukee's Camden … [Read more...] about Jaguars struggle at plate while being swept at Waukee, fall to 0-3 on season

‘I think we really proved ourselves today’: Hawkettes capture state title in DMR

by

When the Ankeny girls' distance medley relay team stepped on the track Friday morning at the Class 4A state meet, the Hawkettes were not only racing against some of the state's top squads in the final section of the event. Ankeny was also racing the clock. Defending champion Cedar Rapids Prairie got a 2:13.39 anchor leg from Gabby Cortez and won the … [Read more...] about ‘I think we really proved ourselves today’: Hawkettes capture state title in DMR

Centennial’s Valentine places 4th in long jump; Hawks take 5th in 4×200 relay

by

Ankeny Centennial senior Isaiah Valentine jumped 21 feet 6 inches on his second attempt in the long jump at the Class 4A state track meet on Friday at Drake Stadium. Valentine wasn't able to improve his mark on the next four jumps, but he held on for a fourth-place finish. He scored five points for the Jaguars, who are tied for 23rd place heading into the … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Valentine places 4th in long jump; Hawks take 5th in 4×200 relay

Ankeny baseball team splits twinbill at Pleasant Valley to open season

by

The Ankeny baseball team opened its season on Wednesday by splitting a non-conference doubleheader at eighth-ranked Pleasant Valley, the defending Class 4A state champion. The Hawks rallied for a 9-8 victory in the opener, then overcame a 6-1 deficit in the nightcap to tie it up before Pleasant Valley (1-2) posted a 9-8 win to salvage a split. "We had … [Read more...] about Ankeny baseball team splits twinbill at Pleasant Valley to open season

Ankeny freshman Smith earns No. 4 seed for Class 2A singles tournament

by

The brackets for the girls' Class 2A state tennis tournament have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Ankeny freshman Kira Smith has been awarded the No. 4 seed in the Class 2A singles tournament. She will meet Celine Matthews of Mason City in the opening round. Junior Esther Guan of Ankeny Centennial was given a tough draw. … [Read more...] about Ankeny freshman Smith earns No. 4 seed for Class 2A singles tournament

‘Nobody can beat me’: Ankeny’s Miller cruises to Class 4A state title in 400

by

As he sped around the blue oval at Drake Stadium on Thursday, Ankeny senior Tyrese Miller knew that he was about to become a state champion for the first time. Miller won the 400 in the boys' Class 4A state track meet in a time of 48.71 seconds. He finished nearly a full second ahead of runner-up Luke Meyers of Iowa City Liberty. "That's definitely the … [Read more...] about ‘Nobody can beat me’: Ankeny’s Miller cruises to Class 4A state title in 400

Hanfelt, Baier score points for Ankeny, while Quass, Leazer place for Jaguars

by

The Ankeny girls' track team scored points in two events Thursday on the opening day of the Class 4A state meet, and so did crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. Ankeny's Reagan Hanfelt tied for third in the high jump, and Hannah Baier placed fourth in the discus. Centennial's Rondi Quass took fifth in the 3,000, while teammate Kambria Leazer tied for sixth … [Read more...] about Hanfelt, Baier score points for Ankeny, while Quass, Leazer place for Jaguars

‘It was a five-hour match!’: Johnston boys outlast Jaguars in substate final

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team dropped a 5-3 decision to Johnston in a Class 2A substate final on Wednesday at Valley. The Jaguars finished the season with a 5-8 record. "It was a five-hour match!" said Centennial coach Tami Lewton. "We had our opportunities for sure. We just couldn't quite close out a couple of matches." The two teams … [Read more...] about ‘It was a five-hour match!’: Johnston boys outlast Jaguars in substate final

Jaguars win Veenker regional, advance to state; Hawkettes finish 5th at Willow

by

Kaitlyn Ault was in eighth grade the last time the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team qualified for the state meet in 2018. Her sister, Nikki, helped the Jaguars to a sixth-place finish in Class 4A. Now, Kaitlyn will get a chance to play in the state meet, too. Ault carded a 92 on Wednesday to place sixth in a Class 4A regional at Veenker Golf … [Read more...] about Jaguars win Veenker regional, advance to state; Hawkettes finish 5th at Willow

Ward scores twice in 1st half, leads Hawks to 2-1 win over Hoover in finale

by

A pair of first-half goals by Jace Ward proved to be enough for the Ankeny boys' soccer team on Tuesday. Ward found the net twice to give his team a 2-0 lead at halftime, and the top-ranked Hawks held on for a 2-1 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. “Getting through our last regular-season game with a result like that … [Read more...] about Ward scores twice in 1st half, leads Hawks to 2-1 win over Hoover in finale

‘Hopefully we will learn from this loss’: Jaguars drop opener to Williamsburg

by

The Ankeny Centennial baseball team rallied from a 6-1 deficit to tie it up before falling to visiting Williamsburg, 7-6, in its season opener on Tuesday. Sean Stewart homered and had two RBIs for the fourth-ranked Jaguars. Kyle Miller went 2-for-3 with an RBI and had two stolen bases. "There were some positives," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "Ian … [Read more...] about ‘Hopefully we will learn from this loss’: Jaguars drop opener to Williamsburg

Pennington’s perseverance pays off in Jaguars’ 1-0 win over Dowling Catholic

by

Tuesday's game against visiting Dowling Catholic was a perfect tune-up for the postseason for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The non-conference battle was the kind of contest that the Jaguars are going to have to win over the next few weeks to reach their ultimate goal. Third-ranked Centennial got a goal from Alanna Pennington in the 63rd … [Read more...] about Pennington’s perseverance pays off in Jaguars’ 1-0 win over Dowling Catholic

“I finally made a decision!”: Centennial defender Larson to play for Grinnell

by

Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Evan Larson will sign a letter of intent with Grinnell College on Wednesday afternoon. "After a long recruiting and admissions process, I finally made a decision!" Larson said. "I will be attending and playing at Grinnell College!" Larson, a senior defender, has helped the fifth-ranked Jaguars to a 13-3 record … [Read more...] about “I finally made a decision!”: Centennial defender Larson to play for Grinnell