Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Eric Klingensmith

Hawkettes advance to state for first time since 2016; Cox also qualifies for Hawks

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The Ankeny girls' cross country team is headed to the state meet for the first time since 2016. The Hawkettes will be joined in Fort Dodge by Cael Cox of the Ankeny boys' squad, who also advanced as an individual with a 15th-place finish in a Class 4A district meet on Wednesday at Marshalltown. However, the Hawks came up three points short of … [Read more...] about Hawkettes advance to state for first time since 2016; Cox also qualifies for Hawks

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Gwen Briggs, Ankeny girls’ cross country

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Freshman Gwen Briggs is a member of the ninth-ranked Ankeny girls' cross country team. She placed 63rd in the B Division of the Fort Dodge Invitational on Oct. 8 in a time of 25 minutes, helping the Hawkettes to a third-place finish in the nine-team field. "Gwen has stepped up into our No. 7 spot very well this season and has ran exceptionally in that … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Gwen Briggs, Ankeny girls’ cross country

Ankeny’s McMahon, Centennial girls race to titles at CIML Iowa Conference meet

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Ankeny senior Lauren McMahon raced to a conference title on Thursday. The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team did as well. The fourth-ranked Jaguars overcame McMahon's victory and a strong performance by No. 11 Ankeny to win the CIML Iowa Conference crown at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. It was the first league title since 2016 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s McMahon, Centennial girls race to titles at CIML Iowa Conference meet

McMahon avenges her only loss, while Ankeny boys claim Fort Dodge crown

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Thursday was a good night for Lauren McMahon and the Ankeny girls' cross country team. The Ankeny boys' squad, and both Ankeny Centennial teams, also had some good performances at the Fort Dodge Invitational. The meet consisted of two separate pods so Ankeny's crosstown rivals did not race against each other. The top-ranked McMahon avenged her only … [Read more...] about McMahon avenges her only loss, while Ankeny boys claim Fort Dodge crown

Ankeny cross country teams continue to make progress at S.E. Polk Invitational

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The Ankeny cross country teams took a step forward Thursday as the calendar turned to October. Even senior Lauren McMahon, who suffered her first loss of the season, was happy with her second-place finish at the Southeast Polk Invitational. "I had so much fun at the race tonight," said McMahon, who finished 6 seconds behind Carlisle standout Ainsley … [Read more...] about Ankeny cross country teams continue to make progress at S.E. Polk Invitational

McMahon stays unbeaten, leads Ankeny girls to their first team crown since 2015

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Lauren McMahon was in the seventh grade the last time that the Ankeny girls' cross country team captured an invitational title. On Thursday, the senior led the way as the Hawkettes ended that drought. McMahon raced to her third consecutive victory this season and Ankeny won the B Division of the Rich Engel Classic at Cedar Falls. The Hawkettes earned … [Read more...] about McMahon stays unbeaten, leads Ankeny girls to their first team crown since 2015

Ankeny’s McMahon wins again, while Jaguars place 3rd at Bobcat Invitational

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The wet conditions didn't slow down the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team on Thursday. They didn't seem to bother Ankeny runner Lauren McMahon, either. McMahon raced to her second straight victory to lead the Hawkettes to a seventh-place finish in the Red Division of the Bobcat Invitational on Thursday at Marshalltown, while Centennial relied … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s McMahon wins again, while Jaguars place 3rd at Bobcat Invitational

‘She’s transformed a little bit’: Former thrower wins her first cross country race

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Ankeny senior Lauren McMahon surprised herself on Thursday at the DMACC cross country course. She surprised her opponents, too. McMahon cruised to an easy victory in her first varsity race, posting a time of 18 minutes 32 seconds on the 5K course. She finished 23 seconds ahead of Valley's Lauren Schulze. "I had no idea what to expect honestly," said … [Read more...] about ‘She’s transformed a little bit’: Former thrower wins her first cross country race

Hawkette runners are ‘social creatures’, but adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions

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The COVID-19 restrictions have created some challenges for the Ankeny girls' cross country team. Coach Eric Klingensmith said the camaraderie between the girls is a unique aspect of the sport--but something that has had to change during the global pandemic. "The practices are coming along smoothly, but the restrictions with our interactions are a bit … [Read more...] about Hawkette runners are ‘social creatures’, but adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions

Hentzel places 8th at Marshalltown, earns trip to state cross country meet

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Ankeny senior Tyler Hentzel was hoping to advance to the state cross country meet along with the rest of his team. He'll have to settle for a solo trip. Hentzel qualified for state by placing eighth in a Class 4A district meet on Thursday at Marshalltown. He posted a time of 16 minutes 38 seconds in the 5k race. "I'm really excited," said Hentzel. … [Read more...] about Hentzel places 8th at Marshalltown, earns trip to state cross country meet

Centennial girls take 2nd at conference meet, while Hawkettes finish 5th

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Kathryn Vortherms and the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team didn't want to focus on next week's state qualifying meet just yet. "We know where we're going (for the regional meet), but we don't know the teams there yet," Vortherms said. "We're not going to look until after conference." Vortherms placed fifth in the CIML Central Conference meet … [Read more...] about Centennial girls take 2nd at conference meet, while Hawkettes finish 5th

Centennial, Ankeny boys finish 1-2 at Atlantic Invite; Girls’ teams also shine

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial cross country teams badly needed to find a race after Thursday's Fort Dodge Invitational was cancelled due to bad weather. Fortunately, they were able to quickly find one. All four squads competed in the Atlantic Invitational on Saturday. The meet was contested in cold and windy conditions on a muddy course. "With … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny boys finish 1-2 at Atlantic Invite; Girls’ teams also shine

Ankeny teams turn in solid performances at Rim Rock Farm Country Classic

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A long trip to Lawrence, Kan., proved to be beneficial for the Ankeny cross country teams. Both the boys' and girls' squads competed in the Rim Rock Farm Country Classic on Saturday at the University of Kansas. Ankeny was one of 45 boys' teams participating in the Crimson Division, while the Hawkettes were among the 38 girls' squads in the field. "Our … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams turn in solid performances at Rim Rock Farm Country Classic

Hawks place 9th, Hawkettes finish 11th in strong fields at Rich Engel Classic

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The Ankeny cross country teams both finished in the middle of the pack in the Rich Engel Classic on Thursday at Birdsall Park in Cedar Falls. The Ankeny boys' squad placed ninth in the 21-team field. The Hawks finished with 206 points. "It was a very competitive field," said Ankeny boys' coach Jon Lindaman. "With all the rain that has fallen, we were … [Read more...] about Hawks place 9th, Hawkettes finish 11th in strong fields at Rich Engel Classic

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cierra Fillinger, Ankeny girls’ cross country

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Senior Cierra Fillinger is a member of the Ankeny girls' cross country team. Fillinger placed eighth in the junior varsity race at the Ames Invitational on Sept. 5 with a time of 23 minutes 25 seconds. That allowed her to earn a varsity spot for the Rich Engel Classic on Thursday at Cedar Falls. "Cierra brings a constant positive influence to our … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cierra Fillinger, Ankeny girls’ cross country

Graybill paces Jaguars to 3rd-place finish; Ankeny places 6th behind Pitz

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A new front-runner emerged for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country teams during the Ames Invitational on Thursday at the Iowa State cross country course. Morgan Graybill led seventh-ranked Centennial to a third-place finish in the 10-team field. She took seventh in the 5k race with a time of 20 minutes 55 seconds. "We had a new … [Read more...] about Graybill paces Jaguars to 3rd-place finish; Ankeny places 6th behind Pitz

Vortherms leads Jaguars to runner-up finish; Ankeny girls place fourth

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Ankeny Centennial cross country runner Kathryn Vortherms had two different messages written on her arms for Tuesday's season-opening Centennial Invitational at DMACC. She wrote the word "positive" on her right arm. "I give up control" was written on her left arm. "It's a lyric from a song. It's for King & Country--one of their songs," Vortherms … [Read more...] about Vortherms leads Jaguars to runner-up finish; Ankeny girls place fourth

Experienced Hawkettes seeking first trip to Class 4A state meet since 2016

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The date of Nov. 2 is already circled on the calendar for the Ankeny girls' cross country runners. That's when the Class 4A state meet will be held at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge, and the Hawkettes are planning to be there as competitors. Ankeny has placed fourth in the regional meet in each of the last two years, falling just short of qualifying for … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawkettes seeking first trip to Class 4A state meet since 2016