Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Jaguars are inexperienced, but look to contend for another Class 5A crown

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There's no doubt that Jessica Rinehart faces one of the biggest challenges of her coaching career. Rinehart has guided the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to four state titles in her six seasons at the school, but the Jaguars return only three players this fall with any varsity experience. And one of them, Devyn Robinson, will miss the first part of the … [Read more...] about Jaguars are inexperienced, but look to contend for another Class 5A crown

Ankeny diver Jorgensen wins Back to the Boards title at Lincoln

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It appears that Mandy Parton is already making a difference for the Ankeny girls' swimming team. Parton is in her first season coaching the Ankeny divers, and on Monday the Hawkettes opened their season with a strong performance in the Back to the Boards 2019 meet. The diving-only event was held at Des Moines Lincoln. "This was an outstanding night for … [Read more...] about Ankeny diver Jorgensen wins Back to the Boards title at Lincoln

Hall of Famer Whims returns to coach loaded Ankeny volleyball squad

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A familiar face will be back on the bench Tuesday when the Ankeny volleyball team opens its season against visiting Waukee. Legendary coach Dave Whims is beginning his second stint as the Hawkettes' head coach. He took over the program following the departure of Joe Morton, who guided Ankeny to a 31-13 record and a state tournament appearance last … [Read more...] about Hall of Famer Whims returns to coach loaded Ankeny volleyball squad

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Scout Bergwall, Ankeny girls’ swimming

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Senior Scout Bergwall is one of seven returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny girls' swimming team. She helped the Hawkettes to a second consecutive fourth-place finish at the state meet last November. Bergwall placed fifth in the 100 butterfly in a time of 57.15 seconds, which set a school record. She took 25th in the 100 backstroke and also swam on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Scout Bergwall, Ankeny girls’ swimming

‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

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There's a reason why Megan Ballenger's teammates on the Creighton volleyball team call her "Mama Meg". The former Ankeny star has been a longtime leader for the Bluejays both on and off the court. "I do cook some food and do some other things for certain people sometimes," Ballenger said on Friday after the Bluejays played Iowa State in an exhibition … [Read more...] about ‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

Centennial golfers top Urbandale at Briarwood, then fall to Ames at Veenker

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team split a pair of CIML Central Conference dual meets on Thursday and Friday, topping Urbandale before falling to Ames. The Jaguars (1-1) dropped a 312-329 decision to Ames on Friday at Veenker Golf Course. Jack Winkel was the runner-up with a 77, finishing one stroke behind Ames' Sam Vertanen. Centennial's Johnny … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers top Urbandale at Briarwood, then fall to Ames at Veenker

Vicker, Jaguars are motivated after falling short at last year’s district meet

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Throughout most of the 2018 season, Ankeny Centennial's Gabriel Vicker was one of the top cross country runners in the state. After qualifying for the boys' Class 4A state meet as a freshman in 2017, Vicker followed up with a standout sophomore season in which he recorded six top-five finishes. He won the freshman/sophomore race at the Centennial … [Read more...] about Vicker, Jaguars are motivated after falling short at last year’s district meet

Hawks have ‘right attitude to be great’ despite heavy losses to graduation

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Opponents of the Ankeny boys' cross country team might be expecting the Hawks to take a big step backwards this season. That could be a mistake. Ankeny coach Jon Lindaman said his team has had a great summer of training and is ready to open the season on Tuesday at the Ankeny Centennial Invitational. "I always say that summer is really the first … [Read more...] about Hawks have ‘right attitude to be great’ despite heavy losses to graduation

Centennial girls to rely on deep, talented packs to reach their goals

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A No. 1 runner has yet to emerge for the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team. But head coach Eric Cogdill is completely fine with that. "I don’t expect us to have a clear No. 1 runner all season, and that is a great asset," said Cogdill. "We currently have a very nice pack of three that is right there with any top three we’ve had at Centennial. … [Read more...] about Centennial girls to rely on deep, talented packs to reach their goals

Experienced Hawkettes seeking first trip to Class 4A state meet since 2016

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The date of Nov. 2 is already circled on the calendar for the Ankeny girls' cross country runners. That's when the Class 4A state meet will be held at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge, and the Hawkettes are planning to be there as competitors. Ankeny has placed fourth in the regional meet in each of the last two years, falling just short of qualifying for … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawkettes seeking first trip to Class 4A state meet since 2016

Robinson named to 2019 ALL-USA Preseason Girls Volleyball Team

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Ankeny Centennial volleyball star Devyn Robinson has been named to the 2019 ALL-USA Preseason Girls Volleyball Team. Robinson, a senior middle hitter, was one of 21 players from across the nation to be selected to the team. The selections were made by Sloane Green of PrepVolleyball.com in coordination with USA TODAY High School Sports based on past … [Read more...] about Robinson named to 2019 ALL-USA Preseason Girls Volleyball Team

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ golf

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Junior Colin McAleer is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team. He carded an 85 on Monday to help the Jaguars to the team title in the Centennial Invitational at Briarwood Golf Club. McAleer is the fourth member of his family to play for Centennial. Brothers Matt, Mitch and Chris previously played for the Jaguars. McAleer and his teammates … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ golf

More about Ankeny Fanatic’s future from Publisher Dan Holm

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Dear Citizens of Ankeny, Are you going to the Jag-Hawk Bowl on Aug. 30? If not, Ankeny Fanatic will be there to provide complete coverage of the game. That is what we do. In fact, we have hired an additional writer this fall to assist with our coverage of Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial sports. Connor Ferguson, an Iowa State student who works for our … [Read more...] about More about Ankeny Fanatic’s future from Publisher Dan Holm

Ankeny swimmers return 7 state qualifiers from 4th-place team

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In 2017, the Ankeny girls' swimming team placed fourth at the state meet, its highest finish ever under coach Michelle Stout. The Hawkettes finished 32.5 points behind third-place Bettendorf. Last year, Ankeny duplicated its fourth-place performance, but moved considerably closer to a top-three finish. The Hawkettes scored 185 points and finished just … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers return 7 state qualifiers from 4th-place team

Twin titles: Winkel, Jaguars capture individual, team crowns at home invite

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team entered Monday's Centennial Invitational with an inexperienced lineup. The Jaguars left Briarwood Golf Club with an emphatic victory. Centennial posted four scores in the 70s and shot a 299 to win the team title by 14 strokes over Ottumwa. Three other schools participated in the season-opening tournament. "I was … [Read more...] about Twin titles: Winkel, Jaguars capture individual, team crowns at home invite

Walker earns runner-up honors, leads Hawk golfers to victory over Ames

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It's only one meet, but it was a great start for the Ankeny boys' golf team. The Hawks opened their season on Monday with a 296-300 victory over visiting Ames in a CIML Central Conference dual meet at Otter Creek. The Little Cyclones are coming off a fifth-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. "I was very happy with how we played today," … [Read more...] about Walker earns runner-up honors, leads Hawk golfers to victory over Ames

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Drake Ellgren, Centennial boys’ golf

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Senior Drake Ellgren is the top returning player for the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team. He placed fourth on the squad a year ago with a 40.7 average. Ellgren helped the Jaguars to a 3-2 record. He carded a 37 to earn medalist honors in a victory over Urbandale and later shot a 78 to place ninth at the CIML Central Conference meet. Here is some … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Drake Ellgren, Centennial boys’ golf

Centennial golfers face rebuilding task after graduating most of varsity lineup

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team opens the season by hosting the Centennial Invitational on Monday at Briarwood Golf Club, it will be the first varsity meet ever for many of the Jaguars. Centennial graduated the majority of its varsity lineup from last year's team that posted a 3-2 dual-meet record. "I only had two of my top eight (players) … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers face rebuilding task after graduating most of varsity lineup

Ankeny star Rumley named to Register’s 2019 All-Iowa softball team

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Chalk up another prestigious honor for Ankeny's Jasmine Rumley. The junior infielder has been named to The Des Moines Register's 2019 All-Iowa softball team. She was one of nine players from across the state selected to the Elite team. Rumley, who was also named to the Class 5A team by the Register, led the Hawkettes to a 20-19 record. She batted .493 … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Rumley named to Register’s 2019 All-Iowa softball team