Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

‘I’m looking to play my game and be myself’: Bayless enters transfer portal

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Former Ankeny basketball star Braxton Bayless has entered the transfer portal. Bayless, a 6-foot-2 guard, appeared in 29 games for Niagara this season, averaging 11.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. The grad transfer will have one season of eligibility remaining. Bayless helped the Purple Eagles to a 16-16 record. He started only one game, but … [Read more...] about ‘I’m looking to play my game and be myself’: Bayless enters transfer portal

Hawks outlast Pella in shootout to give Fuccio dramatic win in coaching debut

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Trevor Fuccio's head coaching debut with the Ankeny boys' soccer team produced a memorable result. Overcoming the miserable weather conditions, the Hawks outlasted visiting Pella, 2-1, in a shootout in a non-conference game on Tuesday. "It definitely feels good to get the win," said Fuccio. "But I hope they're not all this stressful." Ankeny won … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Pella in shootout to give Fuccio dramatic win in coaching debut

Ankeny defensive back Mohrfeld to join Morrison on Grand View football team

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Ankeny defensive back Jacob Mohrfeld has committed to play football at Grand View. Mohrfeld becomes the second Ankeny player in the Class of 2024 to join the Vikings' program. Linebacker Nolan Morrison previously committed to Grand View. Mohrfeld helped the Hawks to a 9-4 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A last season. He led his team with six … [Read more...] about Ankeny defensive back Mohrfeld to join Morrison on Grand View football team

With 6 returning all-conference players, Jaguars look to contend for 3A crown

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Although one of its top returning players will miss the season due to an injury, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team still boasts a talented roster. Six all-conference players are back from last year's squad that posted a 10-7-1 record and advanced to the Class 3A state tournament. "Our returners have expressed a desire to make it back to state, … [Read more...] about With 6 returning all-conference players, Jaguars look to contend for 3A crown

Victor, Josten are back for Ankeny boys, who will rely heavily on newcomers

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There will be a lot of new faces in the lineup for the Ankeny boys' tennis team this season. The Hawks return only two of their top six singles players from last year's squad that posted a 2-9 record, including a 1-7 mark in the CIML Conference. "It looks like a building year for our underclassmen and every senior expected to contribute significantly," … [Read more...] about Victor, Josten are back for Ankeny boys, who will rely heavily on newcomers

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Belding, Ankeny boys’ track

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Ankeny senior Jack Belding is one of the state's top sprinters. He led the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the boys' Class 4A state track meet last season. Belding won a state title in the 400 in 47.94 seconds, equaling the 17th-fastest time in state history. He also placed third in the 200. Belding anchored Ankeny to a second-place finish in the sprint … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Belding, Ankeny boys’ track

Ankeny boys set 4 meet records, place 2nd overall at Marske Indoor Invitational

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The Ankeny boys' track team set four meet records and placed second overall in the Ruth Marske Indoor Invitational on Saturday at Brookings, S.D. Sioux Falls (S.D.) Lincoln won the meet with 93.5 points. Defending champion Ankeny finished with 77 points, four more than Waukee Northwest. "We are firing on all cylinders right now!" said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys set 4 meet records, place 2nd overall at Marske Indoor Invitational

Jaguars return much of varsity lineup, but will have to replace state runner-up

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Despite returning many of its varsity players, the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team will have to fill a gaping hole at the top of the Jaguars' lineup. Caleb Peterson graduated after posting a 20-1 record and placing second in the Class 2A state singles tournament a year ago. He took fifth as a junior and finished sixth in doubles while playing with Nic … [Read more...] about Jaguars return much of varsity lineup, but will have to replace state runner-up

‘I see a lot of potential in our golfers’: Jaguars return Drefke, 2 other regulars

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Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke has already enjoyed a tremendous high school golf career. The Augustana University (S.D.) recruit now has one final season to close it out in style. "I know Payton will want to be one of the top golfers in the state," said Centennial coach John Petersen. Drefke is a two-time state placewinner. She tied for 15th … [Read more...] about ‘I see a lot of potential in our golfers’: Jaguars return Drefke, 2 other regulars

Jaguars win 6 events, capture Class A division and overall title at Roth Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team won the Class A division and also captured the overall crown in the Steve Roth Relays on Thursday at Washington. The Jaguars racked up 175 points in the large-school division. Mediapolis won the Class B title and placed second overall among 28 teams with 152 points, while Columbus Junction took the Class C crown and … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 6 events, capture Class A division and overall title at Roth Relays

‘The girls know we’re going to work hard’: Hawkettes begin new era under Emke

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Kelley Emke knows all about the history of the Ankeny girls' golf team. The Hawkettes' new head coach is hoping to build on the program's tradition in 2024. She once played for Ankeny under legendary coach Toni Dickey, who was Emke's mother. Now, she is trying to develop some chemistry with the 10 girls on the squad. "The girls have been great," … [Read more...] about ‘The girls know we’re going to work hard’: Hawkettes begin new era under Emke

Ankeny girls return 7 all-CIML players from team that allowed just 3 goals

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After allowing just three goals last season, the Ankeny girls' soccer team will return some of the key parts of its defensive unit. Senior Elizabeth Proctor, junior Sophie Loeffler and sophomore Avery Taylor all started on the back line for a squad that posted a 12-4-1 record and advanced to the Class 3A state tournament. They are among the Hawkettes' … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls return 7 all-CIML players from team that allowed just 3 goals

Ankeny returns loaded roster, including all 4 members of state champ 4×8 relay

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In its first season under coach TJ Jumper, the Ankeny girls' track team was in contention for a state title before eventually finishing fifth in Class 4A with 50 points. This spring, the Hawkettes will be looking to capture a trophy. "We believe if we can stay healthy that we could be a team that could contend for a state title," said Jumper, who was … [Read more...] about Ankeny returns loaded roster, including all 4 members of state champ 4×8 relay

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial junior

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Because of the gap between the winter and spring sports seasons, this seemed like a good week to do something a little different with the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week feature sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. Here's an interview with Special Olympic athlete Jack Lincoln, a junior at Ankeny Centennial: Congratulations on winning two gold medals in … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial junior

Centennial girls look to build on success following historic campaign in 2023

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team enjoyed an historic season. Now, the Jaguars are looking to build on that success. "I have several goals for this season," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "First, I would love for every player to see improvement on an individual level. I also hope to help my players continue to develop … [Read more...] about Centennial girls look to build on success following historic campaign in 2023

Expectations remain high for Jaguars despite heavy losses from last year

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax will be relying more than ever on his son Ty. Ty Duax, a senior midfielder, is one of just five returning starters from last year's team that posted a 10-6 record and reached the Class 4A semifinals. The Jaguars graduated several key players and will also have to replace all-state forward Andrew … [Read more...] about Expectations remain high for Jaguars despite heavy losses from last year

Cold-shooting Grand View drops 72-53 decision in first round of NAIA tourney

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A rough shooting night resulted in a season-ending loss for Cleao Murray and the Grand View women's basketball team. The fifth-seeded Vikings shot just 27.5 percent from the field (19-of-69) and dropped a 72-53 decision to No. 12 seed Indiana South Bend in the opening round of the NAIA Championship on Friday at Madison, S.D. Indiana South Bend (31-1) … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Grand View drops 72-53 decision in first round of NAIA tourney

Niagara falls to Marist in MAAC quarters, but ex-Hawk Bayless plans to return

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The season ended on Thursday for Braxton Bayless and the Niagara men's basketball team. However, Bayless' college career isn't over. The senior guard scored eight points and dished out four assists in the Purple Eagles' 65-59 loss to Marist in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Championship at Jim Whalen Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. "I do … [Read more...] about Niagara falls to Marist in MAAC quarters, but ex-Hawk Bayless plans to return