Ankeny Fanatic

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Eva van de Mortel

‘I’m kind of at a loss for words’: Ankeny’s Romig leaps to long jump crown

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For the second day in a row, the Ankeny girls' track team walked out of Drake Stadium with an individual state title. Senior Shelby Romig won the long jump at the Class 4A state meet on Friday, posting her victory about 24 hours after teammate Lauren McMahon raced to a win in the 3,000-meter run. "I'm kind of at a loss for words right now," Romig said. … [Read more...] about ‘I’m kind of at a loss for words’: Ankeny’s Romig leaps to long jump crown

Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI

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Ankeny sprinters Mytika Mayberry and Eva van de Mortel are both headed to Division I track and field programs in Iowa. They could have remained teammates on the collegiate level, but van de Mortel decided to pursue a different path. While Mayberry has committed to run for Iowa, van de Mortel also considered the Hawkeyes before choosing Northern … [Read more...] about Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI

Hawkettes claim 4×100 title for their first relay crown since 2000

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It's been nearly 20 years since the Ankeny girls' track team captured a state title in a relay event. In the previous two years, the Hawkettes almost ended that drought. On Saturday, they finally did. The foursome of Mikala Sidney, Eva van de Mortel, Eva Fulk and Mytika Mayberry raced to a victory in the Class 4A 4x100 relay at Drake Stadium. The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes claim 4×100 title for their first relay crown since 2000

Centennial, Ankeny girls each score points in 2 events on Friday

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Millie Hill has a love-hate relationship with the 400 hurdles. On Friday, the Ankeny Centennial sophomore placed fourth in the event at the girls' Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium. She posted a time of 1:07.16. "I hate it, but I love it," Hill said. "It's sucky, but I like it. It takes a lot of grit. It goes by fast, so that's a plus." Caroline … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny girls each score points in 2 events on Friday

Opening day of state track meet marred by sweltering conditions

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The heat took a toll Thursday on many of the athletes competing at the coed state track meet. With temperatures reaching a record 91 degrees at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, the sweltering conditions proved to be a huge obstacle for the competitors, regardless of the event. Even some of the state's best sprinters struggled to adapt. "I was a bit … [Read more...] about Opening day of state track meet marred by sweltering conditions

‘It’s a dream come true’: Hawkettes’ 4×100 relay wins coveted white flags

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Mytika Mayberry jogged across the infield turf at Drake Stadium on Saturday along with her three teammates, waving their coveted white flags. Just a few minutes earlier, Mayberry had sprinted down the homestretch of the blue oval, anchoring the Ankeny girls' 4x100 relay team to its first victory at the Drake Relays in 22 years. "This feels amazing," … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a dream come true’: Hawkettes’ 4×100 relay wins coveted white flags

Thrice as nice: 3 Ankeny sprinters earn top-8 finishes in girls’ 100

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The maroon-and-gold colors of Ankeny High School were easy to spot during the final of the girls' 100-meter dash at the Drake Relays on Friday. Three of the eight finalists in the race were Ankeny teammates: Mytika Mayberry, Eva van de Mortel and Mikala Sidney. "We all worked so hard to get here, and I'm so proud of all these ladies," said van de … [Read more...] about Thrice as nice: 3 Ankeny sprinters earn top-8 finishes in girls’ 100

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eva van de Mortel, Ankeny girls’ track

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Sophomore Eva van de Mortel is one of 14 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny girls' track team. She placed 15th in the 100 and also ran on the Hawkettes' third-place 4x100 relay at the Class 4A state meet. During the indoor season, van de Mortel won the 55-meter dash at Wartburg and the 60-meter dash at UNI, where over 200 girls competed and she was … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eva van de Mortel, Ankeny girls’ track

After storm delay, Hawkettes race to 3rd-place finish in 4×100 relay

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The Ankeny girls' track team had to wait longer than expected to score some points in the Class 4A state meet. The Hawkettes entered Saturday's final in the 4x100 relay with the fastest qualifying time, but the race was delayed by nearly two hours due to a severe thunderstorm that passed through the Des Moines area. The storm warning led to the … [Read more...] about After storm delay, Hawkettes race to 3rd-place finish in 4×100 relay

Hawkettes win 4×1 prelim, crack Iowa’s all-time top-10 list

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Friday was a good day for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. It wasn't bad for Ankeny, either. Both squads turned in some impressive performances on another beautiful day at the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium. While the Jaguars scored points in two more events, Ankeny put itself in position to get on the scoreboard on Saturday. The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes win 4×1 prelim, crack Iowa’s all-time top-10 list

‘Nervous’ Jones leads the way as Jaguars break 4 school records

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A bundle of nervous energy paid off in a big way Thursday for Ankeny Centennial's Calea Jones. The sophomore had a hand in three school records as the Jaguars placed second in a girls' Class 4A regional track meet at Waukee. She won the high jump and ran on two runner-up relays that also qualified for next week's state meet at Drake Stadium. "I was … [Read more...] about ‘Nervous’ Jones leads the way as Jaguars break 4 school records

Jaguars place 3rd in 4×400, edge Ankeny for runner-up honors at Silvey Invite

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Going into the final event at the Chuck Silvey Invitational on Thursday at Urbandale, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams were tied for second place with 88 points apiece. The Jaguars then placed third in the 4x400 relay to earn the runner-up spot in the eight-team field, finishing with 94 points. The Hawkettes were disqualified in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 3rd in 4×400, edge Ankeny for runner-up honors at Silvey Invite

Ankeny, Centennial girls finish 1-2 at Werling Relays

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Although six other girls' track teams competed in the Ron Werling Relays on Thursday at Indianola, the meet was dominated by the two schools from Ankeny. Ankeny High School won eight events and racked up 158 points to claim the team title for the third straight year. Ankeny Centennial was second with 117 points. "The team is making strides toward … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial girls finish 1-2 at Werling Relays

Hawkettes finish in middle of pack at Little Cyclone Invitational

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The Ankeny girls' track team was one of five squads that racked up at least 100 points in the Little Cyclone Invitational on Tuesday at Ames. The Hawkettes scored 100 points even to finish right in the middle of the pack. They placed behind four quality teams, but defeated four other squads in the nine-team meet. "We had a good night," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes finish in middle of pack at Little Cyclone Invitational

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Eva van de Mortel, Ankeny girls’ track

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Eva van de Mortel of the Ankeny girls' track team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. The freshman was called upon in the first high school meet of her career to sub for an injured runner in the 4x200 relay at the Wartburg Indoor Meet on Feb. 27. She helped the Hawkettes to a second-place finish. "Her reply was, 'Absolutely! I'm … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Eva van de Mortel, Ankeny girls’ track