Caleb Rathjen isn't talking to reporters, but he and the rest of the Ankeny wrestlers are doing plenty of talking on the mat. Rathjen and Trever Anderson both advanced to Saturday's championship round, Cael Cox and Cade Bennethum each won consolation matches to earn a top-six finish, and the eighth-ranked Hawks moved into fifth place in the Class 3A state … [Read more...] about Hawks flex their muscles, move into 5th place in Class 3A team standings
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Cahill avenges loss to Fort Dodge’s Cook, assures himself of top-six finish
Ankeny Centennial's Carter Cahill didn't get down on himself after a first-round loss in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Thursday. The sixth-ranked Cahill has responded with three consecutive consolation victories at 160 pounds. He posted a 3-2 decision over No. 5 Kody Cook of Fort Dodge on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena, assuring himself of … [Read more...] about Cahill avenges loss to Fort Dodge’s Cook, assures himself of top-six finish
Anderson, Rathjen reach semifinals; Hawks assured of having 6 placewinners
The quest for more gold continues for Ankeny wrestlers Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen. Both standouts advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament with dominating victories on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. The semifinals will be held on Friday night. The top-ranked Anderson won by a technical fall, 19-2, over No. 7 Tanner Wink … [Read more...] about Anderson, Rathjen reach semifinals; Hawks assured of having 6 placewinners
‘Both teams fought to the bitter end’: Ankeny bowlers finish 5th in Sioux City
The season has ended for the Ankeny bowling teams. Both squads competed in state-qualifying meets this week at Plaza Bowl in Sioux City and placed fifth among six teams. The boys' meet was held on Wednesday and the girls' meet was contested on Thursday after both meets were postponed earlier in the week due to cold weather. The Hawks posted a score of … [Read more...] about ‘Both teams fought to the bitter end’: Ankeny bowlers finish 5th in Sioux City
‘It’s pretty crazy what we’re doing right now’: Hawks advance 7 to quarterfinals
Ankeny junior Trever Anderson fully expected to reach the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament. He just didn't expect to have so many of his teammates along for the ride. The eighth-ranked Hawks advanced seven wrestlers to Friday's quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Arena. Two other Ankeny qualifiers stayed alive in the consolation … [Read more...] about ‘It’s pretty crazy what we’re doing right now’: Hawks advance 7 to quarterfinals
Wiener advances to quarterfinals; 3 other Jaguars alive in consolation bracket
Ankeny Centennial's Cael Wiener was a lot more relaxed heading into this year's Class 3A state wrestling tournament. He felt even better after advancing to Friday's quarterfinals. The eighth-ranked Wiener posted a 12-6 decision over No. 7 Nate Bierma of Valley in a first-round match at 113 pounds on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. He Improved his record … [Read more...] about Wiener advances to quarterfinals; 3 other Jaguars alive in consolation bracket
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Jack Wignall, Ankeny wrestling
The Class 3A Central District Coach of the Year has guided the Hawks into sixth place after the opening day of the state tournament. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Jack Wignall, Ankeny wrestling
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 125
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch and standout senior Trent Frandson about the Hawks' runner-up finish in the state meet, and he also previews this week's state wrestling tournament with coaches Jack Wignall of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 125
‘It was kind of like we forgot how to play basketball’: Hawks drubbed by S.E. Polk
The Ankeny boys' basketball team has posted some impressive victories this season. The Hawks have also suffered some disappointing losses. Tuesday's non-conference game at Southeast Polk would fall into the latter category. After jumping out to a 21-14 lead, Ankeny went cold midway through the second quarter and never recovered. The Rams went on a … [Read more...] about ‘It was kind of like we forgot how to play basketball’: Hawks drubbed by S.E. Polk
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cody Vandermark, Centennial wrestling
Freshman Cody Vandermark is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He helped the Jaguars to a 16-7 dual record this season. "Cody is an undersized 106-pounder--he weighs 93 pounds--who has subbed for us at 106 numerous times, often on short notice," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "He works his tail off." Vandermark closed out his season on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cody Vandermark, Centennial wrestling
Ankeny’s Stukerjurgen to continue swimming career at Missouri St.
Ankeny swimming standout Brek Stukerjurgen has signed a national letter of intent with Missouri State. The senior helped the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the state meet on Saturday at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center. "I looked at a few other schools, but not too many," said Stukerjurgen. "I was able to get down on campus last summer and loved it. They … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Stukerjurgen to continue swimming career at Missouri St.
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Cahill, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Junior Carter Cahill is one of six state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Cahill, who is ranked sixth in Class 3A at 160 pounds, placed second in a district tournament on Saturday at Marshalltown. Cahill currently boasts a 26-8 record. He will meet Kacey Ross of Urbandale (24-4) in the opening round of the state tournament on Thursday … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Cahill, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
‘We finally got over that hump’: Hawks qualify record 10 wrestlers for state
The Ankeny wrestling program has come a long way since the split into two high schools in 2013. In his first year as the team's head coach, Jack Wignall guided the Hawks to a 6-19 record. Only one of his wrestlers qualified for the state tournament. It took three more seasons before Ankeny finished with a winning mark. On Saturday, the eighth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We finally got over that hump’: Hawks qualify record 10 wrestlers for state
WHAT A FINALE!: Frandson wins 4 titles, leads Hawks to runner-up finish
It was a near-perfect ending to Trent Frandson's magnificent high school swimming career. The Ankeny senior won two more individual state titles on Saturday at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center, where he also claimed two relay crowns while leading the Hawks to a runner-up finish overall. He was named the co-athlete of the year along with Waukee's Andrew Reiter, … [Read more...] about WHAT A FINALE!: Frandson wins 4 titles, leads Hawks to runner-up finish
Helmkamp wins district title, advances to state along with 5 other Jaguars
Ankeny Centennial's Jackson Helmkamp and Cael Wiener are heading back to the state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Four of their teammates will be joining them. Helmkamp won a Class 3A district title on Saturday at Marshalltown to earn his third consecutive trip to state, while Wiener claimed runner-up honors to qualify for the second year … [Read more...] about Helmkamp wins district title, advances to state along with 5 other Jaguars
‘We came out with some really good energy’: Jaguars romp past Roosevelt
Less than 48 hours after wrapping up the CIML Iowa Conference title, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team started focusing on postseason play. The eighth-ranked Jaguars will have three non-conference games to get ready for substate action, beginning with Saturday's tilt against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Centennial raced out to a 41-17 lead … [Read more...] about ‘We came out with some really good energy’: Jaguars romp past Roosevelt
Hawkettes top Ames in potential preview of Class 5A regional semifinal
The Ankeny and Ames girls' basketball teams were both missing a key player for Friday's regular-season finale at Ankeny. Only one of them could be back next Saturday, when the two squads will likely face off again in a Class 5A regional semifinal. Forwards Calyssa Wright of Ankeny and Ashley Iiams of Ames both sat out with concussions as the Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Ames in potential preview of Class 5A regional semifinal
No. 6 Ames boys extend winning streak to 8 games with victory over Hawks
The Ames boys' basketball team is one of the hottest squads in the state. The sixth-ranked Little Cyclones extended their winning streak to eight games on Friday with a 56-37 victory at Ankeny. They won the first matchup against the Hawks last month by a similar score, 55-34. "We just couldn't get any shots to fall," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson. … [Read more...] about No. 6 Ames boys extend winning streak to 8 games with victory over Hawks
Ankeny’s Tetmeyer claims Iowa Conference girls’ bowling crown
Ankeny senior Isabel Tetmeyer captured the CIML Iowa Conference girls' bowling title on Thursday at the Family Bowling Center in Fort Dodge. Tetmeyer bowled games of 211 and 191 to finish with a 402 series. She edged runner-up Kylee Witt of Marshalltown by four pins. It's the second individual conference crown for Tetmeyer in her high school career. … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Tetmeyer claims Iowa Conference girls’ bowling crown
‘It feels good to be conference champs’: Louis leads Jaguars past Mason City
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team badly needed a victory on Thursday night. Thanks to some prolific shooting from Chris Louis, the eighth-ranked Jaguars easily achieved their goal. Louis scored a career-high 24 points as Centennial rolled to an 84-50 victory at Mason City, allowing the Jaguars to snap a three-game losing skid and clinch the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels good to be conference champs’: Louis leads Jaguars past Mason City