Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

‘We just have to stay the course’: Struggling Jaguars fall to No. 9 Dowling

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was looking to pull off an upset Friday against a top-10 opponent. Unfortunately, the Jaguars picked the wrong night to face visiting Dowling Catholic. The ninth-ranked Maroons shot 63.5 percent from the field (33-of-52), including 11-of-19 from 3-point range (57.9 percent), and rolled to an 80-41 … [Read more...] about ‘We just have to stay the course’: Struggling Jaguars fall to No. 9 Dowling

After 6 ties and 5 lead changes, Dowling girls pull away late to beat Jaguars again

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is still searching for a signature victory to put on its postseason resume. The fourth-ranked Jaguars once again battled No. 2 Dowling Catholic down to the wire on Friday before dropping a 52-45 decision at Centennial. There were six ties and five lead changes before the Maroons closed out the CIML Conference … [Read more...] about After 6 ties and 5 lead changes, Dowling girls pull away late to beat Jaguars again

‘It felt like it was a good fit’: Ankeny’s Vos commits to play baseball at Black Hawk

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Ankeny senior Kinnick Vos has verbally committed to play baseball at Black Hawk Community College in Moline, Ill. Vos, a shortstop, will be reunited with former teammate Ben Sandvig, who started his collegiate career at North Iowa Area Community College but has since transferred to Black Hawk. "I narrowed it down to a couple options at some different … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like it was a good fit’: Ankeny’s Vos commits to play baseball at Black Hawk

‘We weren’t sure we could pull it off’: Jaguars’ depth pays off in win at Waukee

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team was without a trio of varsity regulars on Thursday, including a pair of state placewinners in Isaac Bruhl and Max Dhabolt. No worries. The Jaguars relied on their depth to post a 47-22 victory over Waukee in a CIML Conference dual meet at Timberline Middle School. They improved their records to 5-1 in the league and … [Read more...] about ‘We weren’t sure we could pull it off’: Jaguars’ depth pays off in win at Waukee

Ankeny wrestlers romp past depleted Maroons, will host Sharp Invite Saturday

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The Ankeny wrestling team tuned up for Saturday's Bob Sharp Invitational with a 62-14 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic on Thursday. The Hawks raised their dual-meet records to 4-2 in the CIML Conference and 10-4 overall. "We knew it was going to be a short night," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "They've got some kids who were out with … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers romp past depleted Maroons, will host Sharp Invite Saturday

Dietz bowls career-best series, leads Ankeny girls’ team past Greene County

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The Ankeny bowling teams ventured out of the CIML Conference on Thursday for a non-conference dual meet against Greene County at Spare Time Lanes & Lounge. The Ankeny girls' squad remained unbeaten despite posting its lowest score of the season. The Hawkettes won by a margin of 2,024 to 1,797. "The lanes were tough," said Ankeny coach Nick Payton. … [Read more...] about Dietz bowls career-best series, leads Ankeny girls’ team past Greene County

‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

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Former Ankeny football standout Ryan Crandall is headed to Cedar Falls. One of the most productive linebackers at the NCAA Division I FCS level last season, Crandall announced on Wednesday that he will play next year at Northern Iowa under new head coach Todd Stepsis. "I looked at a handful of schools," said Crandall, who started 26 games in three … [Read more...] about ‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

‘I loved the facilities and the culture’: Centennial’s Heither commits to Wartburg

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Ankeny Centennial wingback Sam Heither has committed to play football at Wartburg College next year. Heither announced his decision on social media Wednesday. "I was pretty keyed in on Wartburg during the recruiting process," Heither said. "I loved the facilities and the culture that they have over in Waverly." Heither helped Centennial to an 8-3 … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the facilities and the culture’: Centennial’s Heither commits to Wartburg

Centennial boys rally from 22-point deficit to forge tie, but Urbandale holds on to win

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With about 4 minutes 30 seconds left in the third quarter, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team faced one of its largest deficits in Tuesday's game against visiting Urbandale. Davis Hardersen knocked down a 3-pointer to extend the J-Hawks' lead to 41-19 as they appeared to be ready to cruise to victory on Centennial’s … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rally from 22-point deficit to forge tie, but Urbandale holds on to win

Crawford enjoys historic night as Jaguars roll past Urbandale for 2nd time this year

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Ever since transferring from Cedar Falls to Ankeny Centennial after her freshman girls' basketball season, Mya Crawford has carved out a pretty important role for the Jaguars. She’s started nearly 60 games over two and a half seasons, she’s scored a lot of baskets and she’s helped win a ton of games for Centennial. But … [Read more...] about Crawford enjoys historic night as Jaguars roll past Urbandale for 2nd time this year

Hawks contain Jacobson, but Waukee thrives from deep to earn 7th straight win

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Waukee showed on Tuesday why it's one of the state's hottest boys' basketball teams. The seventh-ranked Warriors didn't need a big night from junior post player Evan Jacobson in order to extend their winning streak to seven games. Jacobson was held to seven points in a CIML Conference contest at Ankeny, but Waukee made 11-of-21 3-point shots and had … [Read more...] about Hawks contain Jacobson, but Waukee thrives from deep to earn 7th straight win

Ankeny girls rack up 6 pins, win 5 matches by forfeit in 69-12 victory at Urbandale

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team rolled to a 69-12 victory at Urbandale in a CIML Conference dual meet on Tuesday. Ankeny recorded six falls, all but one of them in the first period. Coach Dustin Roland's team won five other matches by forfeit and also got a narrow victory in the final match at 110 pounds, where Zoe Sullivan posted an 8-6 decision over … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 6 pins, win 5 matches by forfeit in 69-12 victory at Urbandale

‘They were having fun out there’: Ankeny girls avenge earlier loss to No. 8 Waukee

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This was the Ankeny girls' basketball team that was eighth in Class 5A in the preseason rankings and moved up to sixth after a 4-0 start. The now-No. 15 Hawkettes overcame an early nine-point deficit to beat No. 8 Waukee, 57-45, in a CIML Conference game on Tuesday at Ankeny. It was the second straight win for coach Nate Tobey's squad following a … [Read more...] about ‘They were having fun out there’: Ankeny girls avenge earlier loss to No. 8 Waukee

After two years at Iowa Western, former Jaguar Targgart commits to S. Dakota St.

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Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Brody Targgart has committed to play for one of the top FCS programs in the country. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive lineman announced over the weekend that he will play for South Dakota State. He has two years of eligibility remaining along with a redshirt year. Targgart helped Iowa Western Community … [Read more...] about After two years at Iowa Western, former Jaguar Targgart commits to S. Dakota St.

Ankeny swimmers tumble to No. 1 Cedar Falls, will face Linn-Mar, Waukee NW next

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The ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team dropped a 111-59 decision to No. 1 Cedar Falls in a non-conference dual meet on Saturday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Tigers entered the meet with 3,520 power points, which led the state and put them 109 points ahead of No. 2 Waukee Northwest. They showed in Saturday's meet why they're the early favorite … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers tumble to No. 1 Cedar Falls, will face Linn-Mar, Waukee NW next

Ankeny’s Rathjen claims Mendenhall title, while Jags’ Vandermark earns 100th win

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Saturday's Jack Mendenhall Invitational proved to be a memorable tournament for Ankeny wrestler Calvin Rathjen. Ankeny Centennial's Cale Vandermark also enjoyed an historic moment. Rathjen won the 132-pound title to lead the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in the 15-team field, while the Jaguars took sixth behind a runner-up performance at 120 from … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen claims Mendenhall title, while Jags’ Vandermark earns 100th win

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bryer Pearson, Ankeny boys’ swimming

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Junior Bryer Pearson has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team to a 3-4 record, including a 2-3 mark in the CIML Conference. Pearson is currently ranked eighth in the state in the 100 butterfly with a time of 52.51 seconds. He is tied for 40th in the 50 freestyle (22.71) and tied for 42nd in the 100 backstroke (58.02). Pearson is also a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bryer Pearson, Ankeny boys’ swimming

Ankeny girls crown 4 individual champs, place 2nd behind Osage at Ogden Invite

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team crowned four individual champions and placed second overall in the Ogden Invitational on Saturday. Osage won the 27-team event with 231.5 points. The Green Devils were led by sisters Ainsley and Gable Hemann, who won titles at 100 and 110 pounds, respectively. Ankeny racked up 209.5 points to easily finish ahead of … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls crown 4 individual champs, place 2nd behind Osage at Ogden Invite