Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss

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A return to CIML Conference play has been a struggle this week for the Ankeny softball team. After winning three of four games in the John Stephens Classic last weekend at Creston, the Hawkettes dropped a 4-0 decision at then-No. 3 Valley on Monday. Then, after Wednesday's doubleheader at Johnston was rained out, Ankeny traveled to Waukee on Thursday … [Read more...] about Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss

‘The bats are lively’: No. 4 Eagles erupt for school-record 21 runs, raise mark to 11-1

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2024 season was all about setting the foundation for the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team. Now, the process of building up one of Class 1A’s top programs is in motion. “It’s been great because we’ve got a lot of our players back and they already know the routine, know our drills and know what we’re looking for,” … [Read more...] about ‘The bats are lively’: No. 4 Eagles erupt for school-record 21 runs, raise mark to 11-1

Former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Owens returns to take over Hawkettes’ program

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The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' tennis team already knows her way around the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. Katie Owens has been hired to replace Steve Smith, who stepped down at the end of the season. She previously coached the Hawkettes from 2014-20, although her final year was interrupted by COVID-19. "I'm back," said Owens. "I'm so … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Owens returns to take over Hawkettes’ program

‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes

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After narrowing down her list of schools to a top five, Ankeny basketball standout Jayla Williams picked the one that was closest to home. Even though the location wasn't much of a factor. "I actually didn't really want to go that close to home," Williams said on Tuesday after committing to play for Creighton. The senior-to-be is considered Iowa's … [Read more...] about ‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes

‘I wish we could’ve finished it’: Hawks fall at No. 10 Valley in rain-shortened game

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Despite not giving up a run, Valley lefthander Dane Gosselink needed 87 pitches to get through five innings in Monday's baseball game against visiting Ankeny. Due to the pitch count limit, the junior likely would have only been able to throw one more inning at that pace. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his team could get into the Tigers' … [Read more...] about ‘I wish we could’ve finished it’: Hawks fall at No. 10 Valley in rain-shortened game

Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton

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One of Iowa's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2026 has made her college decision. Ankeny wing Jayla Williams announced on Tuesday she has verbally committed to Creighton. The senior-to-be held more than a dozen offers from Division I schools and had previously narrowed her list down to five schools, which also included Colorado, Columbia, … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton

‘We had a lot of outs in the air’: Hawkettes held to 3 hits in 4-0 loss at No. 3 Valley

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Valley pitcher Maddie Zlomke recorded only three strikeouts during Monday's softball game against visiting Ankeny. The Hawkettes had no trouble putting the ball in play. They just didn't find many holes in Valley's defense. Zlomke had a perfect game through four innings and went on to toss a three-hitter as the third-ranked Tigers posted a 4-0 victory … [Read more...] about ‘We had a lot of outs in the air’: Hawkettes held to 3 hits in 4-0 loss at No. 3 Valley

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kohen Bollwinkel, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior outfielder Kohen Bollwinkel has helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 13-6 record. He has started all 19 games and is batting .311 with a double, a triple and seven RBIs. As a junior, Bollwinkel batted .306 with two triples and 18 RBIs while scoring a team-high 30 runs. He was named to the CIML Conference third team. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kohen Bollwinkel, Ankeny Centennial baseball

Benge earns all-state honors in Class 4A along with Duax, Gloviak, Wahlberg

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Ankeny boys' soccer standout Landon Benge has been named to the Class 4A all-state first team for the second straight year by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. Benge, a senior forward, was joined on the first team by teammate Dylan Gloviak, a senior defender. Junior forward Tate Duax of Ankeny Centennial was also a first-team pick, while … [Read more...] about Benge earns all-state honors in Class 4A along with Duax, Gloviak, Wahlberg

‘We’re just really starting to trust the process’: Hawkettes finish 3-1 at Creston

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A trip to Creston may have provided a midseason spark for the Ankeny softball team. After getting off to a 4-7 start, the Hawkettes traveled to Union County over the weekend and won three of four games in the John Stephens Classic. The last three games were against Class 4A rated opponents. Ankeny (7-8) closed out the tournament on Saturday with an 8-7 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just really starting to trust the process’: Hawkettes finish 3-1 at Creston

Hawks roll past C.B. Lincoln in 6 innings, then drop 7-4 decision to No. 3 S.C. East

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The Ankeny baseball team got a much-needed victory on Saturday at Council Bluffs before nearly pulling off an upset against one of the top squads in Class 4A. The Hawks ended a five-game losing skid with an 11-1 win over Council Bluffs Lincoln in six innings. They then battled third-ranked Sioux City East on even terms for much of the game before dropping … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past C.B. Lincoln in 6 innings, then drop 7-4 decision to No. 3 S.C. East

Jaguars edge Linn-Mar on Foster’s single to split twinbill, end 3-game losing skid

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The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team ended a three-game losing skid by posting a 3-2 victory in the nightcap of a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday at No. 5 Linn-Mar (Marion). The Jaguars had dropped a 3-2 decision in the opener after losing a pair of 5-4 games to No. 13 Cedar Falls on Friday. They handed Linn-Mar (13-2) just its second … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Linn-Mar on Foster’s single to split twinbill, end 3-game losing skid

No. 13 Cedar Falls rallies twice to sweep doubleheader against No. 2 Centennial

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One big inning was all that the Cedar Falls softball team needed to sweep a non-conference doubleheader on Friday at second-ranked Ankeny Centennial, snapping the Jaguars' seven-game winning streak. The No. 13 Tigers posted a 5-4 victory in both games. They used a five-run sixth inning to erase a 4-0 deficit in the opener, then rallied for five runs in … [Read more...] about No. 13 Cedar Falls rallies twice to sweep doubleheader against No. 2 Centennial

Jaguars sweep No. 7 Valley, move into tie for first place atop CIML Conference

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Conference by sweeping a doubleheader on Thursday at seventh-ranked Valley. The Jaguars held on for a 3-2 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 5-4 win. The top six teams in the conference are now separated by just 1.5 games. Centennial and No. 8 … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep No. 7 Valley, move into tie for first place atop CIML Conference

‘We’ve got some guys dinged up’: Hawks drop 2 to Ames as tough week continues

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It's been a tough week for the Ankeny baseball team. It started on Monday with an injury to starting pitcher Will Davies during the first game of a doubleheader loss to Waukee Northwest, followed on Wednesday with a five-inning loss to Dowling Catholic, and then continued on Thursday with two more losses to visiting Ames in a non-conference … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got some guys dinged up’: Hawks drop 2 to Ames as tough week continues

‘We for sure feed off each other’: Jaguars blast 5 home runs in sweep at No. 3 Valley

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There aren't any easy outs in the Ankeny Centennial softball lineup. Mady Ott homered twice and three of her teammates also hit roundtrippers as the second-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader on Thursday at No. 3 Valley, 8-0 and 8-4. "We for sure feed off each other," said Ott. "I think once someone hits (a home run), it’s easier for us to find the … [Read more...] about ‘We for sure feed off each other’: Jaguars blast 5 home runs in sweep at No. 3 Valley

‘We had a lot of kids step up’: Hawkettes make adjustments, romp past Dowling

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After dropping six of its previous seven games, the Ankeny softball team needed to make some adjustments. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes responded on Wednesday with a 7-2 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic. "It was nice to get a 'W'," said Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. "We've just gone back to work at practice and changed up a few things that we were … [Read more...] about ‘We had a lot of kids step up’: Hawkettes make adjustments, romp past Dowling

‘Things just kind of snowballed on us’: Hawks tumble to Dowling in 5 innings

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A fast start ignited the visiting Dowling Catholic baseball team to a 13-1 victory at Ankeny in five innings on Wednesday. The Maroons took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and then scored four more runs in the second. They tacked on another run in the third, three in the fourth and one more in the fifth. "We gave up five walks, two (hit by pitches), and … [Read more...] about ‘Things just kind of snowballed on us’: Hawks tumble to Dowling in 5 innings

‘We fly under the radar, but we’re a good team’: Jags split with No. 2 Pleasant Valley

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The second-ranked Pleasant Valley baseball team entered Wednesday's doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial as one of the state's hottest squads, riding a 10-game winning streak. But the Jaguars had won four consecutive games and six of their last seven, so they were confident as well. "There's no reason not to be confident with all the work we've put in," … [Read more...] about ‘We fly under the radar, but we’re a good team’: Jags split with No. 2 Pleasant Valley