When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March of 2020, Ankeny Fanatic took advantage of the unexpected break from high school sports to publish the first of its many all-time Ankeny teams, recognizing the best boys' basketball players in the community's history. This has since turned into a three-year project. Ankeny Fanatic has now published its … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)
Drew Hill
Ankeny’s Maifeld, Centennial’s Vermeer named to Central Conference first team
Heading into the 2018 baseball season, Ankeny senior Jayden Maifeld was already established as one of the state's top pitchers. Sophomore Ryan Vermeer of Ankeny Centennial didn't have a reputation to match Maifeld's, but he quickly developed into one of the CIML's top catchers. Both Maifeld and Vermeer have been named to the CIML Central Conference … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Maifeld, Centennial’s Vermeer named to Central Conference first team
Hawks show they’re ‘comfortable playing behind’ Maifeld during Monday’s sweep
The Ankeny baseball team entered Monday's non-conference doubleheader at Des Moines Roosevelt with a .500 record. The Hawks showed in the first game, however, that they're better than that with Jayden Maifeld on the mound. Maifeld tossed five strong innings in a tune-up for postseason play to lead Ankeny to a 10-4 victory. The Hawks then completed a … [Read more...] about Hawks show they’re ‘comfortable playing behind’ Maifeld during Monday’s sweep
Hawks rally past Valley in nightcap, salvage split of twinbill
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
Waukee’s Sorenson, Irvine shut down Hawks en route to sweep
The Ankeny baseball team had a chance to score some early runs during Monday's doubleheader at Waukee. When the Hawks failed to capitalize on the opportunity, they never again had a similar chance to gain some momentum. The seventh-ranked Warriors posted a 2-0 victory in the opener, then completed a sweep with a 9-0 win in the second game. Both teams … [Read more...] about Waukee’s Sorenson, Irvine shut down Hawks en route to sweep
Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Ankeny pitcher Jayden Maifeld tossed a gem in the first game of a doubleheader against visiting Ames on Thursday. Then teammate Cameron Rinker threw another one in the nightcap, allowing the Hawks to sweep the CIML Central Conference opener. "It's fun to watch those two guys talk to each other. They kind of feed off each other," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East
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
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 waste Rinker’s strong outing in loss to Saydel
It's no secret what the biggest problem is right now for the Ankeny baseball team. The Hawks dropped to 0-3 on the season Thursday with a 4-1 loss to visiting Saydel in a non-conference game. "We've got to figure out how to score some more runs," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team has been held to a total of three runs in three games. "That's … [Read more...] about Hawks waste Rinker’s strong outing in loss to Saydel
Hawks open season with doubleheader loss at Johnston
The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to open its season at home with a strong performance against a quality opponent. It didn't work out that way. After Monday's doubleheader was moved to Johnston because of a wet field, the Dragons swept both games of the twinbill by scores of 11-2 and 9-0. They completed the sweep with a pitching gem in the nightcap, … [Read more...] about Hawks open season with doubleheader loss at Johnston
Ankeny’s Hill to play for Truman State; Jackson, Kajewski also make their choices
Ankeny football players Drew Hill, A.J. Jackson and Dayne Kajewski were all looking for the right fit in a college. They each found it. Hill, an all-state receiver as a junior, verbally committed to play for Truman State on Friday. He picked the Bulldogs after previously considering two other schools. "It was a tough decision," Hill said. "My mind … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Hill to play for Truman State; Jackson, Kajewski also make their choices