It was a good opening test for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. The Hawks kicked off their season on Tuesday by hosting the Sprint Invitational at Trail Point Aquatics Center. They racked up 308 points to edge Dowling Catholic by a point for third place in the six-team event. Waukee Northwest won the meet with 407 points. Valley was second with … [Read more...] about ‘We had a fun time!’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dowling for 3rd place at Sprint Invite
Dustin Rhoads
Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, led by 9-time placewinner Peterson
Despite the graduation of standouts Owen Schwebach and Owen Evans, the Ankeny boys' swimming team still boasts a quartet of returning state qualifiers. Junior Bryer Pearson is back along with seniors Brock Peterson, Finn Stukerjurgen and Austin Troyer from a squad that placed ninth in last year's state meet with 113 points. "We have 34 guys out this … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, led by 9-time placewinner Peterson
‘We had a great day at the pool!’: Ankeny swimmers qualify 9 girls for state meet
There's still a lot of work to do, but the Ankeny girls' swimming team could be in position to earn another top-10 finish at the state meet. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes placed second in a regional meet on Saturday at Mason City. They finished with 401.5 points in the eight-team field, while No. 1 Dowling Catholic easily claimed the title with … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great day at the pool!’: Ankeny swimmers qualify 9 girls for state meet
‘I thought we raced hard’: Ankeny places 4th at CIML Conference swim meet
With only three weeks left in the season, the Ankeny girls' swimming team headed to the Waukee Natatorium on Saturday for the CIML Conference meet. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes finished in the middle of the pack. Ankeny placed fourth in the seven-team field behind No. 1 Dowling Catholic, No. 2 Waukee Northwest and No. 10 Waukee. "I was really … [Read more...] about ‘I thought we raced hard’: Ankeny places 4th at CIML Conference swim meet
No. 7 Ankeny swimmers close out regular season with 111-75 victory at S.E. Polk
The seventh-ranked Ankeny girls' swimming team completed its dual-meet season on Tuesday with a 111-75 victory at No. 14 Southeast Polk. The Hawkettes won seven of the 12 events. They finished 3-3 in the CIML Conference and improved their overall mark to 8-4. "We had a good meet to close out the regular season," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "It is … [Read more...] about No. 7 Ankeny swimmers close out regular season with 111-75 victory at S.E. Polk
‘We had a great meet’: Ankeny swimmers romp to 149-30 victory at Indianola
After dropping its last three dual meets, the Ankeny girls' swimming team got back into the win column on Thursday. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes traveled to Indianola and rolled to a 149-30 victory over the Indians in a non-conference dual meet at the Indianola Wellness Campus. They won all 12 events and swept the top three places in many of them. "We … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great meet’: Ankeny swimmers romp to 149-30 victory at Indianola
Ankeny swimmers battle No. 5 Johnston to wire before dropping 95-91 decision
The Ankeny girls' swimming team nearly pulled off a huge victory Tuesday on its Senior Night. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes battled No. 5 Johnston down to the wire before dropping a 95-91 decision in a CIML Conference dual meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Dragons trailed, 87-85, before winning the final event--the 400 freestyle relay. "It was … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers battle No. 5 Johnston to wire before dropping 95-91 decision
No. 9 Ankeny swimmers rely on their depth to post 114-72 victory over Valley
Despite winning just four events, the Ankeny girls' swimming team rolled to a 114-72 victory over visiting Valley on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes relied on their depth to raise their records to 2-1 in the CIML Conference and 6-1 overall. They placed second in all 12 events and had seven third-place finishes. "I … [Read more...] about No. 9 Ankeny swimmers rely on their depth to post 114-72 victory over Valley
‘I was proud of our efforts’: Ankeny tankers fall to loaded Waukee Northwest squad
The Ankeny girls' swimming team got its first look at the new $35 million Waukee Natatorium on Thursday. In a matchup of two top-10 squads, the seventh-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 108-78 decision to No. 2 Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference dual meet. "It was fun to swim in their beautiful swim facility, and we will get to again later this year," said … [Read more...] about ‘I was proud of our efforts’: Ankeny tankers fall to loaded Waukee Northwest squad
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 275
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America and Revive Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads and senior captains Gracie Lindaman and Paige Spoelstra about the first few weeks of the girls' swimming season. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 275
‘It was a fun night at the pool’: Ankeny swimmers top 2 foes, raise record to 5-0
The Ankeny girls' swimming team remained unbeaten with a pair of victories in a non-conference double dual meet on Thursday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Hawkettes defeated Newton/Colfax-Mingo/Pella, 100-80, and Des Moines Roosevelt, 138-42. They improved to 5-0 on the season. "It was a fun night at the pool," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "We … [Read more...] about ‘It was a fun night at the pool’: Ankeny swimmers top 2 foes, raise record to 5-0
‘We had a good night’: Ankeny swimmers dominate double dual at Mason City
Ankeny girls' swimming coach Dustin Rhoads is a big fan of the Mason City pool. His team may get another chance to compete there. Ankeny traveled to Mason City on Tuesday for a double dual meet against the host River Hawks and Des Moines Hoover. The Hawkettes easily defeated both teams, winning all but one event overall. "We had a good night," said … [Read more...] about ‘We had a good night’: Ankeny swimmers dominate double dual at Mason City
‘This one feels pretty dang good!’: Ankeny swimmers top 3-time defending champs
This year's Ankeny girls' swimming team looks considerably different than it did last season. CIML Conference rival Waukee also went through some big roster changes in the offseason after the three-time defending state champion split its program into two squads with Waukee Northwest. Ankeny opened the season on Tuesday with a 98-88 victory over … [Read more...] about ‘This one feels pretty dang good!’: Ankeny swimmers top 3-time defending champs
Ankeny swimmers face rebuilding year after posting 10th straight top-10 finish
It won't be easy for the Ankeny girls' swimming team to replace standouts Josie Parton and Anja Peck, who are now competing for Northern Iowa and Iowa State, respectively. The duo led the Hawkettes to a ninth-place finish in last year's state meet, accounting for 64 of the team's 105 points. It was the squad's 10th consecutive top-10 finish and its first … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers face rebuilding year after posting 10th straight top-10 finish
‘She will be greatly missed’: Centennial boys’ tennis coach Lewton passes away
Will Blevins will always appreciate the role that Tami Lewton played in his success on the tennis court. "Tami was instrumental in my career," the former Ankeny Centennial star said. "I had known Tami since I was about 10 years old, and we met at the Ankeny tennis courts. I began taking lessons with her and then she helped me to find other pros and clubs … [Read more...] about ‘She will be greatly missed’: Centennial boys’ tennis coach Lewton passes away
‘We are very proud of this group’: Jaguars fall at No. 5 Valley in substate final
Tami Lewton would have been proud of her team's effort. The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis squad closed out the season on Wednesday with a 5-0 loss at fifth-ranked Valley in the final of a Class 2A substate team tournament. The Jaguars finished with a 4-9 record. Lewton missed the entire season as she wages a battle against cancer. "We are very … [Read more...] about ‘We are very proud of this group’: Jaguars fall at No. 5 Valley in substate final
Jaguars blank D.M. East, then outlast Sioux City North to reach substate final
The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis squad is one of 16 teams still left standing in the Class 2A team competition. The Jaguars rolled to a 5-0 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a substate quarterfinal on Friday, ending the Scarlets' season with a 1-11 record. Centennial then traveled to Sioux City North on Saturday and posted a 5-3 win over the … [Read more...] about Jaguars blank D.M. East, then outlast Sioux City North to reach substate final
‘It was a fabulous tribute’: Jaguars coach Lewton honored before Pink Out meet
Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis coach Tami Lewton has been a driving force behind the annual Pink Out meet between Ankeny's crosstown rivals. On Thursday, it was time for the tennis community to give something back to Lewton. Prior to the Pink Out meet at the Prairie Ridge courts, Lewton was honored in an emotional ceremony. She has spent much of the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a fabulous tribute’: Jaguars coach Lewton honored before Pink Out meet
Jaguars lose 4 3rd-set supertiebreakers, drop 8-3 decision to Waukee boys
Monday's 8-3 loss to visiting Waukee was a lot closer than the score indicated for the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The Warriors simply won all of the close matches--and that proved to be the difference. "We went 0-4 in third-set supertiebreakers tonight, which hurts," said Centennial assistant coach Dustin Rhoads. "If we win those, we win … [Read more...] about Jaguars lose 4 3rd-set supertiebreakers, drop 8-3 decision to Waukee boys
‘They never give up’: Centennial boys’ rally falls short in 7-4 loss to Maroons
The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team didn't quit on Tuesday after falling behind visiting Dowling Catholic, 5-1, in a CIML Conference meet at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars won only one of the six singles matches but then rallied to win three of the five doubles matches, even though Dowling still posted a 7-4 victory. "It was fun hosting … [Read more...] about ‘They never give up’: Centennial boys’ rally falls short in 7-4 loss to Maroons