Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Centennial boys’ tennis team returns 7 of its top 10 players

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team opens its season on Tuesday at Norwalk, the Jaguars will be able to put an experienced lineup on the courts. Centennial returns seven of the top 10 players from last year's squad that posted a 9-3 record. "We are hoping and planning on a great season," said Centennial coach Tami Lewton. "We lost our No. 2 … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ tennis team returns 7 of its top 10 players

‘It’s insane’: Kasperbauer helps Kirkwood to NJCAA Division II national crown

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It's time for Connor Kasperbauer to get fitted for a national championship ring. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Kirkwood College men's basketball team to the NJCAA Division II title on Saturday in Danville, Ill. He scored three points in 29 minutes of action as the top-seeded Eagles posted a 64-58 victory over second-seeded Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘It’s insane’: Kasperbauer helps Kirkwood to NJCAA Division II national crown

Jaguars are ‘even more hungry’ after OT loss in last year’s state tournament

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer players got a glimpse of what the state tournament is all about last season. The Jaguars advanced to the Class 3A tournament at Cownie Soccer Park before dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to Iowa City West in the quarterfinals. "Getting to state last year gave the boys a good taste of what it will take to do it again … [Read more...] about Jaguars are ‘even more hungry’ after OT loss in last year’s state tournament

Lindaman blasts homer against former team, leads Gators to 2-0 victory

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Kendyl Lindaman knew what pitch to expect from Minnesota's Amber Fiser. And she didn't miss it. Lindaman slugged a two-run homer in the first inning to provide the game's only runs as sixth-ranked Florida defeated the No. 20 Gophers, 2-0, in a top-25 softball showdown on Wednesday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville. Lindaman, a former … [Read more...] about Lindaman blasts homer against former team, leads Gators to 2-0 victory

Despite lack of experience, Smith excited about future of Hawks’ tennis program

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The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' tennis team isn't concerned about the Hawks' lack of experience. But he is pretty excited about his players' enthusiasm. "We can tell the team is really enjoying playing tennis right now," said Steve Smith, who took over the program following Randy Daniels' retirement. "We’ve seen several players on the courts on … [Read more...] about Despite lack of experience, Smith excited about future of Hawks’ tennis program

Defending state champion Jaguars ‘see this season as new challenge’

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Here's a scary thought: the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team could be even better than a year ago, when the Jaguars captured their second state title in three seasons. Coach Chris Allen returns 11 players who started at some point last year. Seven of them have already committed to play for college programs, and two more college recruits have joined … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Jaguars ‘see this season as new challenge’

‘The product follows the process’: Jaguars looking to improve every day

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Although the weather has improved tremendously in the last week, the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team made the most of the snowy conditions during February and early March. "The indoor season is going as well as expected, given the weather," said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. "We don't have the indoor track surfaces of some of our competitor … [Read more...] about ‘The product follows the process’: Jaguars looking to improve every day

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Meg Ridout, Centennial girls’ track

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Senior Meg Ridout is one of seven returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. Ridout ran on the fifth-place shuttle hurdle relay team that set a school record at the Class 4A state meet. She also ran on the 11th-place 4x100 relay. Here is some inside info on Ridout: How is the indoor season going thus far? The indoor … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Meg Ridout, Centennial girls’ track

Anderson, Rathjen drop overtime matches in War at West Gym

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Ankeny wrestling standouts Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen both participated in the War at West Gym on Saturday in Cedar Falls. The state champion duo both competed for Team Blue, which suffered a 32-10 loss to Team Red. The event featured 26 of the state's top boys' and girls' wrestlers. The meet was sponsored by IAWrestle.com. Anderson dropped a … [Read more...] about Anderson, Rathjen drop overtime matches in War at West Gym

Ex-Jaguar Wycoff helps Mid-America Christian to NCCAA women’s crown

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Three years ago, Sydney Wycoff helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a Class 5A state title. Now, the sharpshooting guard is a national champion. Wycoff, a 5-foot-6 freshman, scored two points and had two rebounds in 21 minutes of action on Saturday as Mid-America Christian University captured its second consecutive NCCAA women's … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Wycoff helps Mid-America Christian to NCCAA women’s crown

Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

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Are you ready for some March Madness? The NCAA Tournament pairings have been announced. Eight teams are headed to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines for the first two rounds on Thursday and Saturday. You can enter the Ankeny Fanatic NCAA Tournament pool sponsored by the Yankee Clipper and win a couple of great prizes. The winner of the pool will receive a … [Read more...] about Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

Vacek commits to play volleyball at Wayne State, will reunite with Ballenger

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Ankeny's Isabelle Vacek has known for a long time that she wanted to continue her volleyball career at Wayne State College. Earlier this week, the junior outside hitter made it official. Vacek verbally committed to play for the Wildcats, beginning in the 2020 season. "I'm so excited," said Vacek. "I've been wanting to go there forever, but I tried … [Read more...] about Vacek commits to play volleyball at Wayne State, will reunite with Ballenger

ACA’s Selindh named Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year

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Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball coach Paul Selindh has been named the Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. Selindh guided the Eagles to a 23-1 record, including the first undefeated regular season in school history. His team advanced to a substate final before suffering its only loss of the year--a … [Read more...] about ACA’s Selindh named Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year

Under new coach, Hawkettes boast 14 returning state qualifiers

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After watching his team compete in a pair of indoor meets, Ankeny girls' track coach Thomas Cotter likes what he has seen from the Hawkettes. "The indoor season has gone great," said Cotter, whose team will compete again on Saturday at the Buena Vista Indoor Meet. "We went into the season hoping to develop more 400 runners, and we have certainly seen … [Read more...] about Under new coach, Hawkettes boast 14 returning state qualifiers

Finally healthy again, ex-Jaguar Jones is Valpo’s top hitter

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It doesn't matter to Brent Jones which position he plays. The Valparaiso University baseball player is just happy to be back in the lineup. After missing the last two seasons due to injuries, Jones is now the leading hitter for the Crusaders. The former Ankeny Centennial standout is batting .327 with four extra-base hits and nine RBIs in the first 13 … [Read more...] about Finally healthy again, ex-Jaguar Jones is Valpo’s top hitter

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Parr, Ankeny girls’ track

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Sam Parr is a member of the Ankeny girls' track team. "Sam is a senior who has really stepped up as a team leader in the first few weeks of the season as we have transitioned to our new routines and expectations," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. "She focuses on the discus, but will also throw shot for us from time to time this spring." The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Parr, Ankeny girls’ track

Hawks boast high hopes after strong finish at last year’s state meet

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If the Ankeny boys' track team can stay healthy, the Hawks should have a good chance to build on the success of last year's squad. Ankeny tied for 13th place in the Class 4A state meet with 21 points. It was the Hawks' highest finish since the split into two high schools. Thirteen state qualifiers are back, including standout distance runner Tim Sindt, … [Read more...] about Hawks boast high hopes after strong finish at last year’s state meet

Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer earns All-Region honorable mention

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Former Ankeny Centennial standout Connor Kasperbauer was among the Kirkwood Community College players to be listed on the Division II Region XI Men's Basketball All-Region teams. The redshirt freshman shooting guard received honorable mention. Kasperbauer has started all 31 games this season, helping the Eagles to a 27-4 record and a berth in the Division … [Read more...] about Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer earns All-Region honorable mention

Ankeny Christian Academy’s Grizzle named to Class 1A all-state third team

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Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball standout Caleb Grizzle has been named to the Class 1A all-state third team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Grizzle, a 6-foot-7 senior center, led Ankeny Christian Academy to the first undefeated regular season in school history. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final before dropping a 58-56 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian Academy’s Grizzle named to Class 1A all-state third team