Ankeny Fanatic

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Dustin Rhoads

With 7 returning state qualifiers, Ankeny swimmers look to contend for crowns

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Even with the graduation of Lance Swanepoel, the Ankeny boys' swimming team still boasts plenty of talent. The Hawks placed fourth in last year's state meet with 160 points, but will have to replace Swanepoel, who was named the Swim Athlete of the Year after winning both the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly to finish his career as a five-time state … [Read more...] about With 7 returning state qualifiers, Ankeny swimmers look to contend for crowns

Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish

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In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes. It might be time to add a top-10 finish for the Ankeny girls' swimming team to that famous quote by Benjamin Franklin. Ankeny placed ninth in the state meet on Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA with 105 points. It was the team's 10th consecutive top-10 finish and its first under coach Dustin … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish

Ankeny swimmers edge Valley for 3rd place at CIML Conference meet

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team is hoping to peak at the end of the season. Saturday's CIML Conference meet at Johnston, which featured five of the state's top six teams, was a good place to start. Fifth-ranked Ankeny placed third in the six-team field with 283.5 points. The Hawkettes edged No. 6 Valley by a half-point for third place. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers edge Valley for 3rd place at CIML Conference meet

Ankeny swimmers win 10 of 12 events, cruise past Indianola for 112-38 victory

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The fifth-ranked Ankeny girls' swimming team closed out its home schedule with a 112-38 victory over Indianola in a non-conference dual meet on Thursday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Ankeny raised its overall record to 5-4 by winning 10 of the 12 events. "It was a great last home meet for us," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "A lot of girls were … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers win 10 of 12 events, cruise past Indianola for 112-38 victory

‘There’s something magical about Senior Night’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dragons

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The biggest win of the season for the Ankeny girls' swimming team came on its Senior Night. Seventh-ranked Ankeny won eight of the 12 events, including all three relays, and posted a 95-91 victory over No. 4 Johnston in a CIML Conference dual meet on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. It was the first conference win for the Hawkettes, who improved … [Read more...] about ‘There’s something magical about Senior Night’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dragons

‘We just couldn’t win any races’: Ankeny swimmers drop 105-81 decision at Valley

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team just couldn't get over the hump. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes lost several close races on Tuesday and dropped a 105-81 decision at No. 4 Valley in a CIML Conference dual meet. The Tigers captured every event, including a sweep of the top three places in the diving competition. Valley won five of the swimming events by … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t win any races’: Ankeny swimmers drop 105-81 decision at Valley

Ankeny swimmers edge Pleasant Valley for 2nd place at Little Hawk Invitational

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team won two events and placed second overall in the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Mercer Park Aquatic Center in Iowa City. Iowa City West won the team title with 435.5 points. Ankeny finished with 349.5 points, edging Pleasant Valley (348) and Waukee (341) for the runner-up spot in the six-team field. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers edge Pleasant Valley for 2nd place at Little Hawk Invitational

‘This was our best meet’: Ankeny tankers make progress in 125-61 loss to Dowling

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The final score of Tuesday's dual meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center was deceiving. Even though the Dowling Catholic girls' swimming team posted a 125-61 victory over host Ankeny, coach Dustin Rhoads was happy with his team's performance. "This was our best meet as a whole so far," said Rhoads. "I am pleased with how we raced, and the times we put up … [Read more...] about ‘This was our best meet’: Ankeny tankers make progress in 125-61 loss to Dowling

‘A lot of people had to step up’: Ankeny swimmers hold on for win at Newton

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team won the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, to hold on for an 87-83 victory at Newton in a non-conference dual meet on Thursday. Ankeny raised its overall record to 3-1 on the season. "It was an interesting meet," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "We were kind of sluggish from the start. It was a short-course meters … [Read more...] about ‘A lot of people had to step up’: Ankeny swimmers hold on for win at Newton

‘This is humbling’: 2-time defending champs spoil Ankeny’s home opener

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If the Ankeny girls' swimming team needed a measuring stick for its progress, Tuesday's opponent provided just what the squad needed. Waukee, the two-time defending state champion, won 11 of the 12 events and defeated host Ankeny, 134-52, in the CIML Conference opener for both teams at Trail Point Aquatics Center. “It was a fun night hosting No. 1 … [Read more...] about ‘This is humbling’: 2-time defending champs spoil Ankeny’s home opener

Ankeny swimmers roll past Roosevelt, Mason City while setting 8 pool records

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team opened its season on Tuesday with a pair of lopsided victories in Mason City. Competing in a non-conference double dual meet, Ankeny rolled to a 140-28 win over Des Moines Roosevelt and a 126-42 triumph over Mason City. "It was a great way to start our season!" said first-year Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "Picking up two … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers roll past Roosevelt, Mason City while setting 8 pool records

‘I think we are going to surprise people’: Ankeny swimmers seek top-5 finish

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team won't open its season until later this month, but the squad is already putting in a lot of hard work under first-year coach Dustin Rhoads. There are 46 girls on the roster, including several returning state qualifiers. "The practices are off to a great start!" Rhoads said. "We went right into two-a-day practices from the … [Read more...] about ‘I think we are going to surprise people’: Ankeny swimmers seek top-5 finish

After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs

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Former Ankeny assistant boys' coach Dustin Rhoads has been named the head coach of the Ankeny boys' and girls' swimming programs. Rhoads was the associate head coach at Luther College for the last three years, helping both the men's and women's programs to American Rivers Conference championships in 2021-23. "I've had a great time at Luther," Rhoads … [Read more...] about After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs