Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carley Craighead, Ankeny Christian volleyball

by

Sophomore outside hitter Carley Craighead helped the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to the Class 1A state title last week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The seventh-ranked Eagles won their last 18 matches and finished with a 39-3 record. Craighead pounded 20 kills as ACA outlasted No. 4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck in five sets in Thursday's championship … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carley Craighead, Ankeny Christian volleyball

Ankeny swimmers place 2nd at regional meet, qualify for state in every event

by

The Ankeny girls' swimming team has qualified for the state meet in every event. The Hawkettes placed second in a regional meet on Saturday at Summit Middle School in Johnston. The host Dragons won the 10-team meet with 492 points, finishing 47 points ahead of Ankeny. "We had a lot of good swims," said Ankeny coach Justin Crouch. "I was really proud of … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers place 2nd at regional meet, qualify for state in every event

Johnston pulls off upset, prevents Hawks from making 3rd straight trip to Dome

by

The Class 5A semifinals of the high school football playoffs will feature an all-CIML Final Four, marking the first time since 1972 that eastern Iowa does not have a semifinal representative in the largest class. Unfortunately, third-ranked Ankeny won't be making another trip to the UNI-Dome. The Hawks were denied a third consecutive appearance in the … [Read more...] about Johnston pulls off upset, prevents Hawks from making 3rd straight trip to Dome

A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Eagles rally for 5-set win, claim ACA’s first crown

by

The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball squad was expected to contend for the school's first state championship in any team sport in the next couple of years. The young Eagles decided that they didn't want to wait to make some history. Seventh-ranked ACA, which starts five sophomores, used a miraculous rally to defeat No. 4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the … [Read more...] about A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Eagles rally for 5-set win, claim ACA’s first crown

Ankeny divers Kolars, Boehlert survive tough regional meet, advance to state

by

Ankeny divers Hannah Kolars and Lydia Boehlert have both qualified for the state meet. Kolars placed fourth in a regional meet on Thursday at Summit Middle School in Johnston. She posted a score of 449.05 points. Boehlert finished seventh with 415.65 points. Seven of the top 15 state qualifiers competed at the Johnston meet. Abby Tollefson of … [Read more...] about Ankeny divers Kolars, Boehlert survive tough regional meet, advance to state

‘It was a relief to make the decision’: Pratt commits to Minnesota State-Mankato

by

The Pratt household in Ankeny has been a busy place in recent months with a pair of high school athletes attracting the attention of college coaches. Some of that activity may slow down a little bit now. Ankeny Centennial senior Easton Pratt has verbally committed to play baseball at Minnesota State-Mankato. He announced his decision via Twitter on … [Read more...] about ‘It was a relief to make the decision’: Pratt commits to Minnesota State-Mankato

Centennial sophomore Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team

by

Sophomore middle hitter Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the state volleyball tournament in Coralville. Pratt helped the sixth-ranked Jaguars reach the Class 5A semifinals at Xtream Arena. She had 12 kills, seven blocks and two aces in a five-set victory over No. 4 Dowling Catholic in Monday's … [Read more...] about Centennial sophomore Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team

Eagles pull off stunning upset, will play for school’s 1st state title in any sport

by

A stunning upset has put Ankeny Christian Academy on the brink of its first state championship in any team sport. The seventh-ranked Eagles advanced to the Class 1A final at the state volleyball tournament with a 25-10, 25-19, 25-22 victory over No. 1 Springville in Wednesday's semifinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. It was the 17th consecutive win … [Read more...] about Eagles pull off stunning upset, will play for school’s 1st state title in any sport

‘I’m super proud of the girls’: Jaguars fall short against Hartman, No. 1 I.C. Liberty

by

A balanced offensive attack wasn't enough for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team against Iowa City Liberty star Cassidy Hartman. Hartman pounded 22 kills and also had 15 digs to lead the top-ranked Lightning to a 25-21, 25-19, 18-25, 25-22 victory over No. 6 Centennial in a Class 5A semifinal on Wednesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. "She has a … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super proud of the girls’: Jaguars fall short against Hartman, No. 1 I.C. Liberty

WreckEm: Ankeny’s Johnson verbally commits to play softball at Texas Tech

by

Junior Cassie Johnson of Ankeny has verbally committed to play softball at Texas Tech. Johnson announced her decision via Twitter earlier this week. "RAIDER NATION, I'M COMING FOR YOU!! #WreckEm" she tweeted. Johnson plays for the Iowa Premier Fastpitch travel club. She is a power-hitting catcher. "I talked to a lot of great schools, but Texas … [Read more...] about WreckEm: Ankeny’s Johnson verbally commits to play softball at Texas Tech

Eagles rout Don Bosco in tourney debut, will play No. 1 Springville in 1A semifinals

by

Ankeny Christian Academy's state volleyball tournament debut was a smashing success. The seventh-ranked Eagles got off to a fast start and never looked back in a Class 1A quarterfinal against No. 8 Don Bosco on Tuesday night. They rolled to a 25-16, 25-23, 25-14 victory at Xtream Arena in Coralville. "It was crazy," said ACA setter Katie Quick. "It's … [Read more...] about Eagles rout Don Bosco in tourney debut, will play No. 1 Springville in 1A semifinals

Ankeny senior Wehde suffers broken leg, will miss entire boys’ basketball season

by

The Ankeny boys' basketball team will be missing one of its top players this winter. Senior wing Karson Wehde has suffered a season-ending injury before the Hawks even started practicing. "On Thursday night at open gym I broke the tibia and fibula in my leg," said Wehde. "I had surgery Friday morning, and I'll be out for the whole season." Wehde … [Read more...] about Ankeny senior Wehde suffers broken leg, will miss entire boys’ basketball season

‘We just had to keep fighting’: Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic in 5-set thriller

by

There was nothing scary about the volleyball match between Ankeny Centennial and Dowling Catholic that was played on Halloween. The two CIML Conference rivals simply played an all-time classic on the state's biggest stage. Sixth-ranked Centennial outlasted the No. 4 Maroons, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 29-27, 15-11, in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to keep fighting’: Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic in 5-set thriller

‘Valley just played lights out’: Tigers sweep Ankeny out of Class 5A tourney

by

The Ankeny volleyball team's 17-match winning streak came to an end in stunning fashion. The second-ranked Hawkettes were swept out of the Class 5A state tournament with a 25-13, 26-24, 25-21 loss to No. 10 Valley in the quarterfinal round on Monday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Tigers (22-20) avenged three losses to Ankeny during the regular … [Read more...] about ‘Valley just played lights out’: Tigers sweep Ankeny out of Class 5A tourney

Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville

by

When the state volleyball tournament tips off on Monday in Coralville, second-ranked Ankeny and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial will both take the courts at Xtream Arena with a ton of confidence. The Hawkettes (35-4), who are riding a 17-match winning streak, will face No. 10 Valley (21-20) in a Class 5A quarterfinal at noon on Court Two. They already own three … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: PJ Westover, Ankeny football

by

Senior defensive back PJ Westover has helped the Ankeny football team to a 9-1 record and a No. 3 RPI ranking in Class 5A. He ranks second among the Hawks with 39.5 tackles and is tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. Westover had 6.5 tackles in Ankeny's 17-0 win over visiting Sioux City East in the opening round of the playoffs on Friday. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: PJ Westover, Ankeny football

‘We never had a doubt’: Hawks place 3rd, match highest finish in modern era

by

The Ankeny boys' cross country team entered Saturday's Class 4A state meet ranked No. 7 in Class 4A. The Hawks were seeking their highest finish ever under coach Jon Lindaman, who guided the team to a fifth-place finish in 2018. They accomplished their goal with a tremendous performance--and even earned a spot on the awards podium for the first time in … [Read more...] about ‘We never had a doubt’: Hawks place 3rd, match highest finish in modern era

Quass places 5th to become 3-time medalist, leads Jags to 4th-place finish

by

The final race of Rondi Quass' high school cross country career could not have gone much better. The Ankeny Centennial senior raced to a fifth-place finish in the girls' Class 4A state meet on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. She broke her own school record with a time of 18 minutes 16 seconds on the 5k course. "That was probably about … [Read more...] about Quass places 5th to become 3-time medalist, leads Jags to 4th-place finish