Ankeny Fanatic

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Cael Boyd

Hawks survive and advance, capitalize on error to edge Waukee, Wentworth

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An unearned run proved to be the difference on Thursday for the Ankeny baseball team. Cael Boyd hit an RBI single in the fourth inning following a Waukee error to give the second-ranked Hawks a 2-1 victory in the Class 4A quarterfinals at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. "I was very confident in our pitching to go out and hold them (the rest of the … [Read more...] about Hawks survive and advance, capitalize on error to edge Waukee, Wentworth

‘I knew it was really close’: State hurdles title eludes Thompson by .004 seconds

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When he crossed the finish line at Drake Stadium on Saturday, Ankeny senior Mason Thompson wasn't sure if he had won a Class 4A state title in the 110 hurdles. Nobody else was sure, either. Thompson and the hurdler to his immediate right, Adam Wright of Dowling Catholic, leaned across the finish line simultaneously. "It was either mine or his," … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was really close’: State hurdles title eludes Thompson by .004 seconds

Ankeny outfielder Boyd commits to play baseball at Iowa Central

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Ankeny senior Cael Boyd has been a standout in three sports throughout his high school career. Despite his success on the football field and on the track, Boyd always knew that he wanted to play baseball at the next level. "I feel like baseball has always been my passion," said Boyd, who elected to give up football this fall due to a history of … [Read more...] about Ankeny outfielder Boyd commits to play baseball at Iowa Central

STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was tempted to pull his starting pitcher after the Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday night. Brody Brecht was even campaigning to come out of the game, because such a move would have allowed him to potentially return to the mound in … [Read more...] about STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

Boyd’s blast, Bauer’s walk-off single allow Hawks to split with No. 2 Johnston

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Anytime a pitcher gets ahead in the count, it becomes increasingly difficult for the batter to get a hit. Ankeny's Jase Bauer and Cael Boyd proved on Monday that it's not always the case. Bauer hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning--on a no-ball, two-strike pitch--to give the fifth-ranked Ankeny baseball team a 5-4 victory over No. 2 … [Read more...] about Boyd’s blast, Bauer’s walk-off single allow Hawks to split with No. 2 Johnston

‘We feel so much more confident’: Hawks enter season with big goals

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The mid-August temperature is getting a little warmer. Team practices are ramping up. And, mainly, a young team is getting older. This football season has the potential to be one of historic proportions for the Ankeny Hawks, because of what kind of a roster they are putting on the field. Last season, the team started eight sophomores--all of … [Read more...] about ‘We feel so much more confident’: Hawks enter season with big goals

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cael Boyd, Ankeny baseball

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Sophomore outfielder Cael Boyd helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-18 record this season. The Hawks advanced to the Class 4A state tournament before losing to top-ranked Johnston, 6-0, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal Park. Boyd batted .342 with six doubles and 16 RBIs. He set a single-season school record with 34 stolen bases. Here … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cael Boyd, Ankeny baseball

Hawks’ halftime lead evaporates as No. 4 Cedar Falls rolls to 28-7 victory

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At halftime of Friday's game against visiting Cedar Falls, the Ankeny football team trotted off the field with a 7-0 lead and a growing confidence. The next two quarters showed, however, that the Hawks still have a long way to go. The fourth-ranked Tigers responded with 28 unanswered points in the second half to post a 28-7 victory, raising their … [Read more...] about Hawks’ halftime lead evaporates as No. 4 Cedar Falls rolls to 28-7 victory

Ankeny’s Griffin returns to game after suffering dislocated shoulder

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There was no way Ankeny's Max Griffin was going to sit out his final Jag-Hawk game with an injury. The senior defensive back/receiver suffered a dislocated shoulder during the first quarter of Friday's season opener against Ankeny Centennial, then went to the sidelines and appeared to be done for the night after taking off his jersey and shoulder … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Griffin returns to game after suffering dislocated shoulder

Who will emerge as the star in Friday’s Jag-Hawk showdown?

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Here are five potential storylines for Friday's Jag-Hawk football game at Ankeny Stadium: 1. Will Centennial's dominance of the crosstown rivalry continue? The Jaguars have won five of the six meetings against Ankeny since the split into two high schools in 2013. The last three games have been decided by an average of 14.7 points, including … [Read more...] about Who will emerge as the star in Friday’s Jag-Hawk showdown?

Ankeny’s Crawford hopes to be impact player on defense, too

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A year ago, Ankeny's Ray J Crawford was one of the top running backs in the CIML, rushing for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns on 202 carries. This season, he might not be able to match those numbers. That's because Ankeny coach Rick Nelson has elected to shore up his defense by moving Crawford to linebacker. The 6-foot, 196-pound senior will still get … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crawford hopes to be impact player on defense, too

Hawks rally past Valley in nightcap, salvage split of twinbill

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The Valley baseball team had a chance to take a commanding lead in the CIML Central Conference race on Wednesday. The Tigers posted a 6-3 victory in the first game of a doubleheader at Ankeny, then jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap. But the Hawks refused to go away. Ankeny rallied for a 9-8 walk-off win and a split of the … [Read more...] about Hawks rally past Valley in nightcap, salvage split of twinbill

Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East

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The Ankeny baseball team returned to Des Moines East on Wednesday and avenged last year's substate loss to the Scarlets by sweeping a doubleheader, 10-0 and 8-3. The Hawks won the opener in six innings for their first victory of the season. They then completed the sweep to improve their record to 2-3, while East dropped to 1-7. "We played much better … [Read more...] about Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East

Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz still has a lot of faith in his team despite the Hawks' 0-3 start. Ankeny posted an 18-22 record a year ago, including a 6-14 mark in the CIML Central Conference. Several key players are back from that team, led by first-team all-conference selections Drew Hill and Jayden Maifeld. "We bring back a lot of experience," … [Read more...] about Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld

Hawks earn 4th-place finish in shuttle hurdle relay

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The south side of Ankeny has some pretty good hurdlers, too. On the same day that Ankeny Centennial's Riley Moss captured the 110 hurdles title in the Class 4A state track meet at Drake Stadium, Ankeny raced to a fourth-place finish in the boys' shuttle hurdle relay. The foursome of Cael Boyd, Max Griffin, Mason Thompson and Connor Niffenegger won the … [Read more...] about Hawks earn 4th-place finish in shuttle hurdle relay

Showdown between standouts Sindt, Cox never materializes in 3,200

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An anticipated battle between distance standouts Tim Sindt of Ankeny and Camden Cox of Ankeny Centennial never materialized on Thursday at the boys' Class 4A state track meet. The two runners were considered among the favorites in the 3,200, but neither one was able to bring home the crown. While Sindt ran a strong race and finished third with the … [Read more...] about Showdown between standouts Sindt, Cox never materializes in 3,200

Jaguars, Hawks qualify for state meet in numerous events

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As Ankeny Centennial's Camden Cox and Ankeny's Tim Sindt approached the finish line on Thursday, neither runner went all out for the victory. The two distance standouts finished 1-2 in both the 3,200 and 1,600 events, and the duo also helped their teams to a 1-2 finish in the distance medley relay at a boys' Class 4A district track meet at Waukee. The top … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks qualify for state meet in numerous events

Hawks place 9th, Jaguars finish 12th in shuttle hurdle relay

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The future looks bright for the Ankeny boys' shuttle hurdle relay team. The Hawks placed ninth overall in the event on Saturday morning at the Drake Relays. The foursome of Cael Boyd, Mason Thompson, Nick Scherle and Conner Niffenegger was clocked in 1:00.29. The Ankeny squad, which includes a pair of freshmen, finished three spots and .38 seconds … [Read more...] about Hawks place 9th, Jaguars finish 12th in shuttle hurdle relay