The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on its way to a doubleheader loss on Monday that would have stifled the Hawks' momentum heading into postseason play. Visiting Valley was three outs away from completing a sweep before second-ranked Ankeny rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a dramatic 7-6 victory. "That was a … [Read more...] about ‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split
News
Indiana State’s Sharar to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato
Former Ankeny soccer standout Olivia Sharar is coming home. Well, sort of. The Indiana State midfielder has decided to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato in order to be closer to her family. "Some people might hate being close to home, but I personally love it here," said Sharar. "I also just felt that (Indiana State) just wasn't where I belonged … [Read more...] about Indiana State’s Sharar to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato
‘I trust my defense’: Billings hurls 3-hitter as Hawkettes earn split against Valley
If Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham was still undecided about his pitching plans for the postseason, Monday's doubleheader against defending Class 5A state champion Valley may have helped him come to a decision. Sophomore Ashtyn Billings tossed a three-hitter in the nightcap as the 15th-ranked Hawkettes salvaged a split of the twinbill with a 1-0 … [Read more...] about ‘I trust my defense’: Billings hurls 3-hitter as Hawkettes earn split against Valley
Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival
There's nothing that could replace having your entire track and field season wiped out by a global pandemic. But Mike Jay wanted to at least try something. Jay, the lead PA announcer for the Drake Relays and the high school state meet, organized a track and field meet for those Iowans who wanted an opportunity to compete after losing their season to … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Vermeer, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior catcher Ryan Vermeer has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 13-11 record. He went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs as the Jaguars closed out the regular season on Friday by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Ames. Vermeer, who is batting .194 with three doubles and nine RBIs, is a two-time all-conference first-team … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Vermeer, Ankeny Centennial baseball
No. 6 Jaguars celebrate Senior Night sweep with tears of joy–and sadness
There were tears of joy on Friday night at the Ankeny Centennial softball field. Tears of sadness flowed, too. The sixth-ranked Jaguars celebrated their Senior Night with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Ames. They posted a 4-3 victory in eight innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 10-3 triumph. Afterwards, the team's six seniors … [Read more...] about No. 6 Jaguars celebrate Senior Night sweep with tears of joy–and sadness
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Kennedee Jones, Centennial senior
‘Exactly what I needed’: Morris tunes up for postseason with 1-hitter against Ames
A 60-pitch tuneup was just what Ankeny Centennial senior Trey Morris needed to get ready for the postseason. Morris tossed a one-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 10-0 victory over visiting Ames in five innings in the first game of a CIML baseball doubleheader on Friday. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate and drove in two … [Read more...] about ‘Exactly what I needed’: Morris tunes up for postseason with 1-hitter against Ames
Billings wins twice as Hawkettes sweep North to raise their record to 18-9
The Ankeny softball team picked up a pair of victories on Friday--and so did sophomore pitcher Ashtyn Billings. Billings earned the win in both games as 15th-ranked Ankeny swept a doubleheader at Des Moines North. The Hawkettes posted a 15-0 victory in three innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 13-0 win in five innings. Billings (9-5) … [Read more...] about Billings wins twice as Hawkettes sweep North to raise their record to 18-9
Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his players could take care of business quickly on Friday. Mission accomplished. The third-ranked Hawks traveled to Des Moines North for an afternoon doubleheader and came away with a pair of five-inning victories, 14-0 and 14-1. They improved to 17-7 on the season, while the Polar Bears' record dropped … [Read more...] about Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North
Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final
The Ankeny baseball team will only have to win one game to qualify for this year's state tournament. However, the third-ranked Hawks will also have to overcome an eight-day layoff to earn a return trip to Principal Park. Ankeny (15-7) has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 8 after top-ranked Dowling Catholic was forced to cancel the rest … [Read more...] about Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final
Overturf hits Ankeny’s 21st homer in 25 games, leads Hawkettes past Ballard
Many high school softball teams are fortunate to have one or two players who can hit the ball out of the park. Ankeny is blessed with several power hitters. Gillian Overturf homered and drove in four runs to lead the 15th-ranked Hawkettes to a 5-1 victory over Ballard in a non-conference game on Thursday. "This was a really important night for us," … [Read more...] about Overturf hits Ankeny’s 21st homer in 25 games, leads Hawkettes past Ballard
Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk
The Ankeny baseball players had several reasons to be motivated on Wednesday. For someone like Bryce Rinderknecht, it might have been his final opportunity to take the mound for the Hawks. He didn't want to let it go to waste. For others such as Brody Brecht, a chance for some revenge against Southeast Polk was a huge motivating factor. Brecht went … [Read more...] about Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk
KKKKKKlug tosses 7-hitter as Centennial earns split against No. 7 Dragons
Sam Klug gave the Ankeny Centennial softball team a much-needed lift on Wednesday. The junior pitcher tossed a seven-hitter to lead the fifth-ranked Jaguars to a 6-3 victory over No. 7 Johnston in the second game of a doubleheader at Centennial. She walked one and had six strikeouts while raising her record to 4-2. Klug's win allowed Centennial to earn … [Read more...] about KKKKKKlug tosses 7-hitter as Centennial earns split against No. 7 Dragons
Hawkettes sweep S.E. Polk with pair of dramatic walk-off victories
If the Ankeny softball team hopes to reach the Class 5A state tournament, the Hawkettes may have to find some different ways to win a couple of regional games. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes proved on Wednesday that they might be able to do that. And Ankeny even defeated one of the teams, Southeast Polk, that it will have to beat in order to advance to Fort … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep S.E. Polk with pair of dramatic walk-off victories
Jaguars fall to .500 mark after being swept by Johnston for second time
Time is running out on the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The 10th-ranked Jaguars were swept by No. 2 Johnston for the second time this season on Wednesday at Centennial. The Dragons posted 9-6 and 6-1 victories to extend their winning streak to seven games while raising their record to 17-3. Centennial, meanwhile, dropped to 11-11 after getting off … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to .500 mark after being swept by Johnston for second time
Ankeny receiver Kumm decommits from MSUM, will play for Iowa Central
Ankeny football standout Jordan Kumm has decided to stay closer to home. The wide receiver, who had previously committed to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead, announced earlier this week via Twitter that he'll be heading to Iowa Central Community College in the fall. "God's got a plan!" Kumm tweeted. "I would like to thank the whole coaching … [Read more...] about Ankeny receiver Kumm decommits from MSUM, will play for Iowa Central
Rumley hits her 37th career home run to break Lindaman’s Ankeny record
Ankeny's Jasmine Rumley has already set a bunch of records in the swimming pool. She's been a record-breaker on the softball field, too. The senior third baseman hit her 37th career home run on Tuesday during the Hawkettes' doubleheader split at Dowling Catholic. She broke the Ankeny career mark of 36 homers that was set by Kendyl Lindaman in … [Read more...] about Rumley hits her 37th career home run to break Lindaman’s Ankeny record
No. 3 Hawks split with No. 1 Dowling in potential substate final preview
(UPDATE: The rest of Dowling Catholic's season has been cancelled after one of its players tested positive for COVID-19.) Tuesday's baseball doubleheader at Dowling Catholic provided a unique opportunity for both the top-ranked Maroons and No. 3 Ankeny to get a glimpse of their potential opponent in a Class 4A substate final. Both squads have been … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawks split with No. 1 Dowling in potential substate final preview
ACA boys’ basketball coach Selindh departs after nine successful seasons
Ankeny Christian Academy has apparently found its next boys' basketball coach. ACA Athletic Director Dave Walter told Ankeny Fanatic on Tuesday that he has hired a replacement for Paul Selindh, who guided the Eagles to a 171-42 record during his tenure as the head coach. "We're just looking for the right time to announce it," Walter said. "It'll … [Read more...] about ACA boys’ basketball coach Selindh departs after nine successful seasons