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‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

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Weston Fulk couldn't help but think about the state title that slipped away. But he was also focusing on winning a championship in 2021. "We know where we could have been," Fulk said after his Ankeny baseball team lost to Johnston, 11-8, in the Class 4A final on Saturday at Principal Park. "We deserved to be in this game--everybody knows it. But I'm … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team was in a position to win the Class 4A state title on Saturday night at Principal Park. The Hawks just couldn't close the deal. Top-ranked Johnston overcame a 7-3 deficit with three runs in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth to rally for an 11-8 victory over No. 2 Ankeny. The Dragons (24-3) won their fifth state … [Read more...] about Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

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Just a few months after the Ankeny boys' basketball team won the Class 4A state title, the school's baseball squad will have a chance to win a championship of its own. Second-ranked Ankeny advanced to the Class 4A title game with a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ryan Madole scored from third … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

Hawks walk off on wild pitch, advance to Class 4A championship game

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The Ankeny baseball team advanced to the Class 4A championship game in dramatic, walk-off fashion. Ryan Madole scored from third base on a wild pitch with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the second-ranked Hawks a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ankeny (21-8) will play No. … [Read more...] about Hawks walk off on wild pitch, advance to Class 4A championship game

Seniors lead the way as Jaguars pound Muscatine to end season in style

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The seniors on the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team were determined to go out in style. The outcome of Thursday's Class 5A consolation final against No. 8 Muscatine was never in doubt. Centennial scored in every inning and rolled to a 10-0 victory over the Muskies in five innings at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. The Jaguars (23-9) … [Read more...] about Seniors lead the way as Jaguars pound Muscatine to end season in style

‘We were not going to lose’: Jaguars roll past Muscatine to earn 3rd-place finish

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team closed out the best season in school history with a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. The sixth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory over No. 8 Muscatine in five innings in the consolation final on Thursday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. They finished with a 23-9 record, while Muscatine … [Read more...] about ‘We were not going to lose’: Jaguars roll past Muscatine to earn 3rd-place finish

STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was tempted to pull his starting pitcher after the Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday night. Brody Brecht was even campaigning to come out of the game, because such a move would have allowed him to potentially return to the mound in … [Read more...] about STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

‘Our girls showed that they belonged’: Jaguars fall short against Fort Dodge

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Franie Burnett is looking forward to Thursday's Class 5A consolation final. The third-place game will give Burnett and her Ankeny Centennial softball teammates a chance to end their season with a victory at the state tournament. "I'm really glad we have another game," Burnett said after the sixth-ranked Jaguars lost to No. 1 Fort Dodge, 5-3, in the … [Read more...] about ‘Our girls showed that they belonged’: Jaguars fall short against Fort Dodge

Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball

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Junior catcher McKayla Doyle helped the Ankeny softball team to a 19-11 record this season. Doyle played in 17 games and made nine starts while backing up the team's No. 1 catcher, Cassie Johnson. She batted .368 with two doubles and four RBIs. "McKayla is unselfish and has showed up and done the work since seventh grade," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball

Monumental challenge awaits Centennial girls in Class 5A semifinals

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A thrilling win over fourth-ranked Waukee provided the Ankeny Centennial softball team with an opportunity to pull off an even bigger upset. The No. 6 Jaguars (22-8) will now meet No. 1 Fort Dodge (27-3) in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. The game will be played on the Dodgers' home field at Harlan Rogers Park in … [Read more...] about Monumental challenge awaits Centennial girls in Class 5A semifinals

‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

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Weston Fulk knew that this year's Ankeny baseball team had a chance to be special. The second-ranked Hawks are now just three wins away from completing a magical journey. Ankeny is making its second straight appearance in the Class 4A state tournament. The Hawks (19-8) will meet Pleasant Valley (13-11) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal … [Read more...] about ‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

Revised football schedules announced: Hawks, Jaguars to meet Aug. 28

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The revised 2020 football schedules for both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have been announced. The Hawks and Jaguars will still open the season against each other on Aug. 28. Ankeny will be the home team. Both squads will play a seven-game regular season under the revised plan announced last week by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. All Class … [Read more...] about Revised football schedules announced: Hawks, Jaguars to meet Aug. 28

‘It was just a matter of when’: Centennial erupts for dramatic win over Waukee

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Ankeny Centennial runner Mackenzie James watched from third base as her teammate, Franie Burnett, swung and missed at a third strike during Monday's Class 5A quarterfinal against Waukee. Then James noticed the ball skip past Waukee catcher Natalie Wellet. The freshman raced home with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the sixth-ranked Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a matter of when’: Centennial erupts for dramatic win over Waukee

Jaguars stun No. 4 Waukee in their state tournament debut

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Ankeny Centennial's first trip to the state softball tournament has already been a memorable one. The sixth-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A semifinals with an improbable 5-2 victory over No. 4 Waukee on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Down to its final five outs, Centennial rallied for five runs in the last two innings to erase a … [Read more...] about Jaguars stun No. 4 Waukee in their state tournament debut

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

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Junior second baseman Carter Smith has helped the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 19-8 record. He went 1-for-3 and scored a run as the Hawks posted a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. Smith is batting .302 with two doubles, one triple and 15 RBIs. He ranks second on the team with 25 runs … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team

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The Ankeny boys' tennis program dates back to the early 1970s. The biggest highlight for the Hawks over the last 50 years came nearly two decades ago. In 2003, head coach Dennis Hoefle guided Ankeny to the best season in school history. The Hawks advanced to the state team tournament for the first time ever and went on to capture the Class 2A … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team