The Ankeny boys' basketball team couldn't overcome a huge disparity at the free-throw line and suffered its third consecutive road loss on Friday. The Hawks attempted just one free throw in a 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic. The Maroons, meanwhile, went 13-of-19 at the line. "We attack the basket as hard as any team in the state, and evidently we didn't … [Read more...] about Hawks’ road woes continue with 58-51 loss at Dowling Catholic
Clark scores 33, leads Dowling girls to win over Hawkettes
Another strong effort by the Ankeny girls' basketball team came up short on Friday as the Hawkettes dropped a 57-48 decision at ninth-ranked Dowling Catholic. It was Ankeny's third consecutive loss, all of them on the road, since sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone bruise in her foot during the Hawkettes' victory at Urbandale on Dec. 14. … [Read more...] about Clark scores 33, leads Dowling girls to win over Hawkettes
Central Conference basketball standings
The CIML Central Conference basketball races reached the midway point of the season on Friday, and both the girls' and boys' races tightened up as league leader Johnston was swept by host Ankeny Centennial in a doubleheader. The 12th-ranked Jaguars closed out the girls' game with a 10-2 run to post a 50-48 victory, ending No. 2 Johnston's nine-game … [Read more...] about Central Conference basketball standings
William Jewell earns first league win on Harp’s 3 FTs with 1.9 seconds left
Byron Harp didn't feel any pressure when he stepped to the charity stripe with 1.9 seconds left in Thursday's game against Drury University. The William Jewell senior point guard made three consecutive free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt to give the Cardinals an 81-80 victory in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Liberty, Mo. "I … [Read more...] about William Jewell earns first league win on Harp’s 3 FTs with 1.9 seconds left
Owens reaches 100-win milestone, helps Jaguars to victory over Dowling
Eric Owens earned his 100th career victory to help the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to a 50-17 triumph at Dowling Catholic on Thursday. Owens, who is ranked sixth at 145 pounds, reached the milestone by pinning Max Derry in 2 minutes 46 seconds. "I always had the goal of getting 100 wins since my freshman year," said Owens. "I thought I would never get … [Read more...] about Owens reaches 100-win milestone, helps Jaguars to victory over Dowling
Hawk wrestlers move into rankings, then throttle Urbandale
The Ankeny wrestling team is beginning to earn some respect across the state. The Hawks moved into the No. 8 spot in Class 3A in the latest state tournament rankings by The Predicament. They are one spot ahead of crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, even though the Jaguars posted a 48-25 victory over Ankeny last month. "I'm just glad our team is showing … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers move into rankings, then throttle Urbandale
William Penn coach hired to take over Ankeny girls’ soccer program
Simon Brown, a native of Dublin, Ireland, has been named the head coach of the Ankeny girls' soccer team. Brown currently serves as the associate head coach for both the men's and women's soccer programs at William Penn University. He will continue to hold those coaching positions. "The college season is in the fall, and at the NAIA level we're limited … [Read more...] about William Penn coach hired to take over Ankeny girls’ soccer program
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 29
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm discusses the upcoming softball season with Iowa pitcher Allison Doocy and breaks down the Alamo Bowl with Iowa State offensive lineman Collin Olson. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 29
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jackie Wells, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Sophomore Jackie Wells is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He has already enjoyed a lot of success on the mat this season. "Jackie stepped into the lineup at 220 (pounds) during the Centennial Duals (on Dec. 8) and wrestled really well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "He won his JV match against Ankeny (on Dec. 13) by fall, won the JV … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jackie Wells, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Deep bone bruise will sideline Ankeny’s Johnson for another month
The Ankeny girls' basketball team will likely be without its second-leading scorer and rebounder for another month. An MRI on Thursday revealed that sophomore forward Abby Johnson suffered a deep bone bruise in her foot during the Hawkettes' 46-40 victory at Urbandale on Dec. 14. "She'll be in a walking boot for two weeks and will then have at least … [Read more...] about Deep bone bruise will sideline Ankeny’s Johnson for another month
Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Christina Angran and Brandon Schumacher, Ankeny bowlers
Senior Christina Angran and junior Brandon Schumacher are two of the leaders on the Ankeny bowling teams. Schumacher has led the Ankeny boys' squad to a 2-4 record. He paces the Hawks with a 401.4 series average. Angran has helped the Ankeny girls' team to a 1-5 mark. She ranks second among the Hawkettes with a 299.3 average. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Christina Angran and Brandon Schumacher, Ankeny bowlers
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Reece Pitz, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Reece Pitz is one of the top reserves on the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Pitz, a senior guard, has helped the Hawks to a 6-2 record. He is averaging 2.0 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. Pitz went 4-for-4 from the field and scored nine points in Ankeny's 83-55 victory at Fort Dodge on Nov. 30. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Reece Pitz, Ankeny boys’ basketball
The Gift of Life: Shirley resumes coaching career after double lung transplant
When Garland Shirley wakes up on Christmas morning, he won't need to go searching for a gift under the tree. The former Ankeny Centennial softball coach has already been given the ultimate present. The gift of life. Shirley, 46, was the recipient of a double lung transplant on Nov. 14, 2017, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. More than 13 months … [Read more...] about The Gift of Life: Shirley resumes coaching career after double lung transplant
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Meg Burns, Centennial girls’ basketball
Junior guard Meg Burns has helped the 12th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 6-4 record. She scored a season-high 13 points in the Jaguars' 62-40 victory over then-No. 6 Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. Burns is averaging 8.0 points per game. She leads the Jaguars in 3-point goals and is shooting 32.7 percent from behind the arc … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Meg Burns, Centennial girls’ basketball
Jaguars snap out of shooting slump with victory at Urbandale
After scoring a combined 65 points in its previous two games, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team nearly matched that total in just 32 minutes on Friday. The Jaguars placed four players in double figures and rolled to a 64-37 victory at Urbandale. "We needed a win before the break big time," said Centennial point guard Tyler Rodgers, who … [Read more...] about Jaguars snap out of shooting slump with victory at Urbandale
Urbandale girls hold off Centennial to earn first conference victory
During the preseason, Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong pointed out the strength of the six teams in the CIML Central Conference. "Legitimately, you could finish fifth or sixth in our conference and be a strong state tournament contender," DeJong said. On Friday, Urbandale showed that DeJong knew what he was talking about. The … [Read more...] about Urbandale girls hold off Centennial to earn first conference victory
Johnston’s late run spoils Hawks’ big fourth-quarter comeback
Friday's game at Johnston gave the Ankeny boys' basketball team a chance to move into a first-place tie in the CIML Central Conference. Unfortunately, the third-ranked Hawks let the opportunity slip away. The Dragons blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter before closing the game on a 10-2 run to post a 63-60 victory. They improved to 4-0 in the … [Read more...] about Johnston’s late run spoils Hawks’ big fourth-quarter comeback
Hawkettes lead most of the way before falling at No. 2 Johnston
The Ankeny girls' basketball team nearly pulled off a monumental upset on Friday. Instead, the Hawkettes had to settle for a moral victory. "I couldn't be more proud of a group of girls," Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said after his team led most of the way before dropping a 66-64 decision at second-ranked Johnston. "Coming in to play the No. 2 team in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lead most of the way before falling at No. 2 Johnston
Central Conference basketball standings
Johnston remained atop the CIML Central Conference boys' and girls' basketball standings with a pair of narrow victories over Ankeny on Friday. The second-ranked Dragons now own a two-game lead in the girls' race after extending their winning streak to nine games. No. 9 Dowling Catholic knocked off No. 13 Ames and has moved into a second-place tie with … [Read more...] about Central Conference basketball standings
Opposing coach: Hawk swimmers are “No. 1 in the state for a reason”
Even when the Ankeny boys' swimming team isn't at the top of its game, the Hawks have rarely been challenged this season. That was the case again on Thursday, when top-ranked Ankeny won nine of the 11 events and rolled to a 131-39 triumph at Fort Dodge. The Hawks raised their record to 4-0-1 and have now posted an average margin of victory of nearly 82 … [Read more...] about Opposing coach: Hawk swimmers are “No. 1 in the state for a reason”