Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Centennial star Robinson named to U.S. Girls Youth National Team

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For the second straight year, Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Devyn Robinson will miss some of the Jaguars' early-season matches in order to play for a U.S. National Team. Robinson has been named to the 12-player U.S. Girls Youth National Team (GYNT) that will represent the United States at this year's FIVB Girls' U18 World Championship set for … [Read more...] about Centennial star Robinson named to U.S. Girls Youth National Team

Ex-Jaguar Gatica leads Valley to Class 5A state championship

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Former Ankeny Centennial player Haley Gatica was named the captain of the all-tournament team after leading the Valley softball team to the Class 5A state title on Friday night in Fort Dodge. Gatica tossed a seven-hitter and went 3-for-5 at the plate as the eighth-ranked Tigers rallied from a 4-2 deficit to beat No. 1 Waukee, 8-5, at Rogers Sports … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Gatica leads Valley to Class 5A state championship

Hawks rough up Riders, get no-hitter from Brecht and advance to state

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Brody Brecht's teammates gave him a five-run cushion before he even took the mound on Wednesday night. Then they just kept adding to the lead. After scoring five runs in the top of the first inning, the Ankeny baseball team added four runs in the second and seven more in the third to support Brecht's four-inning no-hitter as the Hawks rolled to a 16-0 … [Read more...] about Hawks rough up Riders, get no-hitter from Brecht and advance to state

S.E. Polk’s big first inning ends Jaguars’ winningest season in school history

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Tyler Heinzerling took a stroll in the outfield grass all by himself. Ankeny Centennial's senior pitcher stared off into the distance as he realized his high school baseball career was over. "This is my team here--my favorite team that I've ever played with," said Heinzerling. "I had confidence in all our guys. It just didn't end the way we wanted it … [Read more...] about S.E. Polk’s big first inning ends Jaguars’ winningest season in school history

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Bri Smith, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Bri Smith is a member of the Ankeny Centennial softball team. The senior helped the Jaguars to a 26-12 record this season. They broke the school record for most wins in a season. "Bri was someone who was a multi-sport athlete," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "She brought a lot of leadership from those other sports she participated in to our team. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Bri Smith, Ankeny Centennial softball

‘We have faith in each other’: Brecht, Spear power Hawks past Mason City

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The rankings and the seedings--not to mention the records of both teams--suggested that Mason City was a better baseball squad than Ankeny. Monday's Class 4A substate semifinal at Roosevelt Field suggested otherwise. The visiting Hawks broke open a tie game with a four-run fifth inning and went on to defeat 10th-ranked Mason City, 9-2, in a Substate 2 … [Read more...] about ‘We have faith in each other’: Brecht, Spear power Hawks past Mason City

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chris Spear, Ankeny baseball

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Senior pitcher Chris Spear has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 19-17 record. He has compiled a 3-5 mark with a 4.46 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Spear came on in relief to earn his first save of the season on Friday. He got the final three outs as the Hawks defeated visiting Fort Dodge, 6-5, in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chris Spear, Ankeny baseball

‘I wanted to finish it’: Morris goes distance, leads Jags into substate final

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Ankeny Centennial's Trey Morris had not even thrown 70 pitches when he back out to the mound for the start of the seventh inning in Friday's Class 4A substate baseball quarterfinal against visiting Waterloo West. Despite temperatures in the 90s and with teammate Tyler Heinzerling warming up in the bullpen, Morris knew that there was enough life left in … [Read more...] about ‘I wanted to finish it’: Morris goes distance, leads Jags into substate final

Hawks survive and advance, will play at No. 10 Mason City on Monday

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Survive and advance. That's what the postseason is all about for Chris Spear and the Ankeny baseball team. Spear got the final three outs after replacing Brody Brecht on the mound and the Hawks held on to defeat visiting Fort Dodge, 6-5, in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "It feels amazing," said Spear, who picked up his first save of … [Read more...] about Hawks survive and advance, will play at No. 10 Mason City on Monday

‘Hard to walk away’: Ankeny’s Burns resigns as boys’ soccer coach

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Ankeny boys' soccer coach Jordan Burns has resigned from his position after two seasons at the school. Burns, a native of Scotland, compiled a 29-12 record and guided the Hawks to a pair of state tournament appearances. "It was a very tough decision," said Burns. "It's something that I didn't really want to do, but I had to do. I'm at the point in my … [Read more...] about ‘Hard to walk away’: Ankeny’s Burns resigns as boys’ soccer coach

Rumley, Voigt unanimously named to first team; Three Jags also honored

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Ankeny softball standout Jasmine Rumley has been named to the CIML Central Conference first team for the second straight year. Rumley, a junior third baseman, was named to an infield position. She batted .493 with 10 home runs, 14 doubles and 36 RBIs while leading the Hawkettes to a 20-19 record. Rumley, who also stole 39 bases in 40 attempts, was … [Read more...] about Rumley, Voigt unanimously named to first team; Three Jags also honored

Hawkettes go toe-to-toe with No. 2 Fort Dodge, but upset bid falls short

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The Ankeny softball players exited the field at Rogers Sports Complex to a round of applause from their fans on Tuesday night. The Hawkettes didn't get the outcome they wanted in a Class 5A regional final at Fort Dodge, but they proved that they belonged on the same field with one of the state's top teams. Second-ranked Fort Dodge used a three-run … [Read more...] about Hawkettes go toe-to-toe with No. 2 Fort Dodge, but upset bid falls short

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ashtyn Billings, Ankeny softball

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Ashtyn Billings is a member of the Ankeny softball team. The freshman pitcher and outfielder helped the Hawkettes to a 20-19 record. She posted a 2-1 mark with a 2.63 ERA while also batting .268 with five RBIs. "Ashtyn is so versatile she seriously could take on any position we asked her to play," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "Her greatest asset … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ashtyn Billings, Ankeny softball

No. 4 Jaguars salvage split against No. 10 Mason City on Neils’ shutout

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When the Ankeny Centennial baseball team opens postseason play on Friday, head coach Mark Hey will have a lot of different pitching options. Junior righthander Logan Neils made a strong case for himself with a brilliant outing on Monday. He allowed just three hits and had nine strikeouts over the first 6 2/3 innings to lead the fourth-ranked Jaguars to an … [Read more...] about No. 4 Jaguars salvage split against No. 10 Mason City on Neils’ shutout

Hawks pound Hoover twice to close out regular season

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The Ankeny baseball team closed out the regular season on Monday with a pair of five-inning victories over visiting Des Moines Hoover. The Hawks used a five-run fourth inning to post a 13-0 win in the opener. They then erupted for eight runs in the second inning en route to a 14-0 triumph in the nightcap. The sweep assures Ankeny of finishing the … [Read more...] about Hawks pound Hoover twice to close out regular season

Hoover’s Nolte blasts 8th-inning homer, ends Jaguars’ best season ever

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The best season in Ankeny Centennial softball history came to a sudden end on Saturday night. Des Moines Hoover's Abby Nolte hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, her second of the game, to lift the Huskies to an 8-6 victory in a Class 5A regional semifinal at Centennial. The 13th-ranked Jaguars finished with a 26-12 record, the most wins ever for the … [Read more...] about Hoover’s Nolte blasts 8th-inning homer, ends Jaguars’ best season ever

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Zoe Baker, Ankeny softball

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Senior catcher Zoe Baker doubled twice and drove in a run to help the Ankeny softball team to a 5-0 victory at 14th-ranked Des Moines East in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. The Hawkettes will play at No. 2 Fort Dodge in the regional final on Tuesday. Baker is batting .325 with three home runs, 11 doubles and a team-high 45 RBIs. She will play … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Zoe Baker, Ankeny softball

Jacobsen tosses 3-hit gem, leads Hawkettes past East in tourney opener

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The beginning of postseason play provided a fresh start for the struggling Ankeny softball team. The Hawkettes, who went 1-7 to close out the regular season, didn't let the opportunity go to waste. Paige Jacobsen tossed a three-hitter and Jasmine Rumley went 3-for-3 with two RBIs to lead Ankeny to a 5-0 victory at 14th-ranked Des Moines East in a Class … [Read more...] about Jacobsen tosses 3-hit gem, leads Hawkettes past East in tourney opener