Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

McCullough, Hawkettes look to build on last year’s success

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team advanced to a Class 5A regional final last year for the first time since the split into two high schools. The Hawkettes also reached double digits in victories for the first time, finishing with an 11-12 record in their second season under coach Dru McAnelly. Now, McAnelly's goal is to take the program to even greater … [Read more...] about McCullough, Hawkettes look to build on last year’s success

Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer to return to Truman State next year

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Last spring, Connor Kasperbauer left Truman State to continue his basketball career at Kirkwood Community Coilege. Now, several months later, Kasperbauer has decided to return to Truman State. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard signed a national letter of intent on Wednesday to rejoin the Bulldogs' program for the 2019-20 season. He will be reunited with … [Read more...] about Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer to return to Truman State next year

Jaguars to rely on team effort to compete in loaded CIML

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team overcame a slew of injuries to post a 19-4 record. Centennial coach Scott DeJong is hoping to have better luck this season, but the Jaguars have already been bitten by the injury bug. Junior guard Meg Burns, one of the team's top returning players, has been sidelined since July due to a foot … [Read more...] about Jaguars to rely on team effort to compete in loaded CIML

Inaugural Athletic Boosters Cake Auction slated for Jan. 11

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The inaugural Ankeny Athletic Boosters Cake Auction will be held on Friday, Jan. 11 during the Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial girls' and boys' basketball doubleheader. This exciting event will be a fundraiser for the Booster Club to support both athletic programs. Sweet cake sponsorships are being offered for $250. The boosters will arrange to have a cake … [Read more...] about Inaugural Athletic Boosters Cake Auction slated for Jan. 11

New Ankeny bowling coach ‘excited to begin journey’

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Hannah Munson is anxious to get to work with the Ankeny boys' and girls' bowling teams. The Hawks and Hawkettes will begin practice on Wednesday under the direction of Munson, who was named the head coach of the bowling program in July. She becomes Ankeny's sixth different head coach in the last six years. "We've had some tryouts, and all of the kids … [Read more...] about New Ankeny bowling coach ‘excited to begin journey’

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Andrew Poock, Ankeny boys’ cross country

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Sophomore Andrew Poock of the Ankeny boys' cross country team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Poock helped Ankeny to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Oct. 27 at Fort Dodge. It was the Hawks' highest finish since 2005. Poock placed 110th in the 5k race. He posted a time of 18 minutes 9 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Andrew Poock, Ankeny boys’ cross country

Sindt chooses Iowa State over Arkansas, Oregon and Drake

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Like most high school athletes these days, Ankeny runner Tim Sindt announced his college choice Monday through social media. "Extremely excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic, track, and cross country career at Iowa State University next fall! Go Cyclones," Sindt tweeted. Sindt won his second consecutive Class 4A state cross country … [Read more...] about Sindt chooses Iowa State over Arkansas, Oregon and Drake

‘All the hard work is finally paying off’ for Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer

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It didn't take long for Connor Kasperbauer to find his shooting rhythm after sitting out last season. The former Ankeny Centennial star poured in 30 points to lead the Kirkwood Community College men's basketball team to a 96-64 victory over Morton College on Saturday at Cicero, Ill. He made 9-of-14 shots, including 8-of-12 from 3-point range. "I just … [Read more...] about ‘All the hard work is finally paying off’ for Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer

Lindaman named Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year

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Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman has been named a Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Lindaman guided Ankeny to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Oct. 27 at Fort Dodge. It was the Hawks' highest finish since 2005. Lindaman also played a key role in the development of senior Tim … [Read more...] about Lindaman named Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Riley Morgan, Centennial volleyball

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Senior setter Riley Morgan helped the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to its fourth state championship in five years last week at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. She dished out 34 assists as the second-ranked Jaguars swept No. 1 Cedar Falls in the Class 5A title match on Friday. Morgan finished her career with more than 1,000 assists, … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Riley Morgan, Centennial volleyball

Riordan’s 30-footer forces OT, but Simpson drops season opener

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Conor Riordan is still making big buckets. The former Ankeny star hit a 30-foot jumper at the end of regulation to force overtime in Simpson's season opener against Bethany Lutheran on Saturday at Indianola. His heroics weren't enough, though, as the Vikings eventually prevailed, 103-100. Riordan, a junior guard, poured in a game-high 35 points. He … [Read more...] about Riordan’s 30-footer forces OT, but Simpson drops season opener

Knights fall to UW-La Crosse, finish season at 13-6-1

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Emily Fontana has no regrets about her decision to transfer to Wartburg College. The former Ankeny Centennial soccer standout played the final game of her sophomore season on Saturday, when the Knights dropped a 2-0 decision at 23rd-ranked University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The midfielder transferred … [Read more...] about Knights fall to UW-La Crosse, finish season at 13-6-1

Gray’s goal seals Gophers’ 2-0 victory at Auburn in NCAA opener

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Megan Gray's freshman season just keeps getting better and better. The former Ankeny Centennial soccer standout scored a goal in the 80th minute to help seal Minnesota's 2-0 victory at Auburn in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The Gophers (12-8-2) converted on a pair of set pieces to earn their first postseason road win in program … [Read more...] about Gray’s goal seals Gophers’ 2-0 victory at Auburn in NCAA opener

BACK ON TOP: Jaguars dethrone Cedar Falls for their 4th state title

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team was not at full strength when the Jaguars lost to Cedar Falls at the Centennial Invitational on Aug. 25. The top-ranked Tigers discovered on Friday that one player can make a huge difference, especially when she's 6-foot-1 and can jump out of the gym. Devyn Robinson had 12 kills and three blocks to help the No. 2 … [Read more...] about BACK ON TOP: Jaguars dethrone Cedar Falls for their 4th state title

Sauer named all-tournament team captain for 2nd time in 3 years

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When Kenna Sauer was a sophomore in 2016, she enjoyed a dream season for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team, earning all-tournament team captain honors after leading the Jaguars to the Class 5A state title. Sauer may have topped herself on Friday. The senior outside hitter smashed a kill from the left side to give second-ranked Centennial its fourth … [Read more...] about Sauer named all-tournament team captain for 2nd time in 3 years

The numbers behind Centennial’s stunning sweep over No. 1 Cedar Falls

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How did the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team pull off a stunning sweep in the Class 5A championship match against top-ranked Cedar Falls, which had dropped only two sets all year and entered the final with a 75-match winning streak? The numbers tell part of the story: * The Jaguars outhit Cedar Falls by a .266 to .168 margin. Both teams racked up 42 … [Read more...] about The numbers behind Centennial’s stunning sweep over No. 1 Cedar Falls

Jaguars outlast Valley in epic five-set semifinal thriller

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The jubilant voices of Ankeny Centennial volleyball players Devyn Robinson and Kenna Sauer could be heard in the bowels of the U.S. Cellular Center long before the duo entered the media interview room on Thursday at the state tournament in Cedar Rapids. When Robinson and Sauer finally made their entrance along with Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart, all … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Valley in epic five-set semifinal thriller