Ankeny Fanatic

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Devon Akers

Northern Illinois outlasts Fresno State in double OT to win Idaho Potato Bowl

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The Northern Illinois football team closed out the season on Monday with a double-overtime victory in the Idaho Potato Bowl at Boise, Idaho. Freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge on the first play of the second overtime, then Jordan Hansen ended the game with a fourth-down sack to give the Huskies a … [Read more...] about Northern Illinois outlasts Fresno State in double OT to win Idaho Potato Bowl

Hawks capture DMR crown, remain atop 4A standings; Jaguars claim 4×200 title

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While the Ankeny boys' track team continued its quest for the Class 4A state championship by winning its fourth event title on Friday, its crosstown rival also made a considerable amount of noise at Drake Stadium. Ankeny Centennial raced to a victory in the 4x200 relay, which also allowed the Jaguars to move into the top 10 in the team … [Read more...] about Hawks capture DMR crown, remain atop 4A standings; Jaguars claim 4×200 title

Hawks, Hawkettes sweep team titles at Class 4A SQM in impressive fashion

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It was a jubilant bus ride home for the Ankeny track teams on Thursday night. Both squads captured team titles in a Class 4A state qualifying meet at Council Bluffs. More importantly, the Hawkettes and Hawks unofficially qualified for next week's state meet in 17 and 15 events, respectively. "We are so excited with how our team competed," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks, Hawkettes sweep team titles at Class 4A SQM in impressive fashion

KABOOM!: Ankeny boys bring thunder and lightning, capture 2 titles at Relays

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The ultimate goal for the Ankeny boys' track team is to win the Class 4A state championship next month. And despite some mishaps, the Hawks showed over the last two days at the Drake Relays that they are clearly the team to beat. "I'm just ready for May," said Ankeny senior Jake Bosch, who ran on the winning 4x800 relay on Saturday. "I'm looking … [Read more...] about KABOOM!: Ankeny boys bring thunder and lightning, capture 2 titles at Relays

‘That was the cherry on top’: All-time record caps off Hawks’ amazing day

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The Ankeny boys' track team took advantage of the favorable conditions to run an historic race on Saturday. The 4x200 relay team of Logan Fairchild, Devon Akers, Jack Belding and Tyler Sickerson blazed to a record-setting victory in the Jim Duncan Invitational at Drake Stadium. The Hawks posted a time of 1:26.12, the fastest clocking in state … [Read more...] about ‘That was the cherry on top’: All-time record caps off Hawks’ amazing day

‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies

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Ankeny wide receiver Devon Akers has verbally committed to play football at Northern Illinois. The 6-foot-6 Akers blossomed into one of the state's best deep-ball threats this season, catching 52 passes for 959 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked second in Class 5A and 12th in the entire state in receiving yards. Akers helped Ankeny to a 9-4 record … [Read more...] about ‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies

‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) Late into the fourth quarter, in the moment where it mattered most, the Ankeny Hawks secured their ticket to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A football playoffs. With only 2 minutes to go, the Hawks held a 14-9 lead over visiting Johnston and had the ball at the Dragons' 32-yard line, but faced a crucial third down. All … [Read more...] about ‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling

Hawks roll into playoffs with 49-19 win over C.R. Washington, improve to 6-3

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The Ankeny football team took care of business on Friday. The eighth-ranked Hawks not only rolled to a 49-19 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Washington in their regular-season finale, but they jumped out to a big early lead that allowed coach Jeff Bauer to rest some of his starters for the Class 5A playoffs. "It was good to let some of the … [Read more...] about Hawks roll into playoffs with 49-19 win over C.R. Washington, improve to 6-3

Hawks dominate 4th quarter, pull away for 40-21 victory over Iowa City Liberty

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There weren't a lot of expectations surrounding the Ankeny football team this season. It might be time, however, to raise the bar. The Hawks used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away for a 40-21 victory over visiting Iowa City Liberty on Friday. They raised their record to 5-2 and have all but clinched a Class 5A playoff berth. "It feels great," … [Read more...] about Hawks dominate 4th quarter, pull away for 40-21 victory over Iowa City Liberty

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Devon Akers, Ankeny football

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Senior receiver Devon Akers helped the Ankeny football team to a 39-38 victory over Ankeny Centennial in double overtime on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. Akers caught a pass from Luke Anderson for the game-winning two-point conversion. He finished with three receptions for 90 yards. Here is some inside info on Akers: Congratulations on the win. Did you … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Devon Akers, Ankeny football

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

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With the game on the line, the Ankeny football team didn't run the play that was called in the huddle. It worked out for the Hawks anyway. Devon Akers caught a two-point pass from Luke Anderson to give the Hawks a thrilling 39-38 victory over rival Ankeny Centennial in double overtime on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "We actually messed up the play," … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

Ankeny boys place 3rd in DMR, 4×200 relays, stay in Class 4A title contention

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A pair of top-three finishes helped keep the Ankeny boys' track team in contention for the Class 4A state title on Friday at Drake Stadium. The Hawks sit in fourth place with 30 points heading into the final day of the meet. Johnston leads the Class 4A field with 47 points, followed by Linn-Mar (Marion) with 45 and Iowa City High with 41. There are … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys place 3rd in DMR, 4×200 relays, stay in Class 4A title contention

THE DROUGHT ENDS: Hawks claim their first Drake relay crown since 2004

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The four members of the Ankeny boys' 4x400 relay team weren't even alive the last time that the Hawks won a relay crown at the Drake Relays. The school's 19-year drought ended on Saturday as Bram van de Mortel, Tyson Miller, Jack Belding and Jake Bosch teamed up to win the final event of America's Athletic Classic in a time of 3:19.19. Ankeny had not won … [Read more...] about THE DROUGHT ENDS: Hawks claim their first Drake relay crown since 2004

‘This is just a warmup for state’: Hawks’ blazing speed on full display at Relays

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Taking advantage of the perfect weather conditions, Ankeny's duo of Tyler Sickerson and Jack Belding both qualified for the final in the boys' 100-meter dash at the Drake Relays on Friday morning. Sickerson won his preliminary heat in a time of 10.70 seconds. Belding was third in the same heat in 10.84 and also advanced. "I came out here today focusing … [Read more...] about ‘This is just a warmup for state’: Hawks’ blazing speed on full display at Relays

‘We needed that for the team mojo’: Akers, Hawks pull away from S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team got a much-needed win on Tuesday. The Hawks pulled away in the second half to defeat visiting Southeast Polk, 57-40, for their first victory of the season. They improved to 1-2 in the CIML Conference, while the Rams' records dropped to 0-2 in the league and 0-3 overall. "Anytime you start the season and you get your … [Read more...] about ‘We needed that for the team mojo’: Akers, Hawks pull away from S.E. Polk