Junior guard Carson Johnson scored 15 points as the Ankeny boys' basketball team posted a 59-55 win at Southeast Polk on Friday for its third consecutive win. He made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 1 minute 19 seconds to help seal the triumph. Johnson, who recently scored his 500th career point, has helped the Hawks to records of 4-7 in the CIML … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carson Johnson, Ankeny boys’ basketball
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‘It’s a good feeling to win it again’: Hawks capture 4th straight Ewing Duals title
The storybook season continues for the Ankeny wrestling team. The fourth-ranked Hawks easily won their own Dave Ewing Duals on Saturday for the fourth consecutive year. They defeated their four opponents by an average margin of 50 points to raise their overall record to 19-1. Ankeny surpassed its total of 17 wins from last year, which had been its … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a good feeling to win it again’: Hawks capture 4th straight Ewing Duals title
‘They weren’t afraid of the competition’: Jaguars take 4th at rugged Winger Invite
Saturday's Ed Winger Invitational at Urbandale gave the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers an opportunity to test themselves against some of the state's top grapplers. The Jaguars responded with a strong performance, placing fourth in a field of 24 teams with 120 points. They had eight top-six finishes. "I was pretty pleased with the way things went," said … [Read more...] about ‘They weren’t afraid of the competition’: Jaguars take 4th at rugged Winger Invite
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)
Jerry Pezzetti has always started his pregame speeches with the same word during his legendary career as a football coach. "Men," he says. "Just by calling us 'men' we felt big, strong and powerful," said Jon Leverenz, a star linebacker for Pezzetti in the 1980s. "And he would proceed to make us feel unstoppable regardless of the challenges ahead. But … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)
Ankeny swimmers pick events out of a hat, then place 3rd at conference meet
For the most part, Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch didn't enter his varsity swimmers in their best events for the CIML Conference meet on Saturday at Southeast Polk. He picked his lineup at random. "We decided to swim off events," said Crouch. "Considering we drew events out of a hat, we were able to finish third. I thought it was a great … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers pick events out of a hat, then place 3rd at conference meet
Ankeny bowling teams fall to Waukee despite their ‘best showing’ of season
The Ankeny bowling teams ran into another tough opponent on Thursday at Warrior Lanes. Host Waukee swept the CIML Conference dual meet, but it was still a good day for coach Lane Richtsmeier's squads. The Hawks posted a season-high score by 50 pins, and the Hawkettes nearly matched their season-high total of 2,063. "Going into this meet, we knew … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams fall to Waukee despite their ‘best showing’ of season
Hawks rally from 10-point deficit in 2nd half to post 59-55 victory at S.E. Polk
Earlier this season, the Ankeny boys' basketball team was finding ways to lose games. Now, the Hawks are doing just the opposite, finding ways to come through in the clutch. Ankeny extended its winning streak to three games with a 59-55 victory at Southeast Polk on Friday. The Hawks overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half. "It's a pretty good … [Read more...] about Hawks rally from 10-point deficit in 2nd half to post 59-55 victory at S.E. Polk
Without injured Dailey, hot-shooting Rams make 15 treys in win over Ankeny
Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly wasn't sure if Southeast Polk star Brooklin Dailey would play in Friday's game at Pleasant Hill. It turned out that the eighth-ranked Rams didn't need her. Playing without the injured Dailey, Southeast Polk made 15 3-point goals and defeated No. 15 Ankeny, 77-65, in a CIML Conference game. "Credit to … [Read more...] about Without injured Dailey, hot-shooting Rams make 15 treys in win over Ankeny
‘We got off to a great start’: Jaguars jump out to 29-4 lead, romp past Burke (Neb.)
Coming off its worst loss of the season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team rebounded in a big way. The fifth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 29-4 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat visiting Burke (Neb.), 70-36, in a non-conference game on Friday. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana, whose team had … [Read more...] about ‘We got off to a great start’: Jaguars jump out to 29-4 lead, romp past Burke (Neb.)
HAPPY HOMECOMING: Wignall guides Hawks to 72-6 victory at Knoxville
Thursday's trip to Knoxville was a sentimental one for Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall. Wignall, who spent a lot of time in Knoxville while growing up in southern Iowa, guided the fourth-ranked Hawks to a 72-6 victory in the non-conference dual meet. "We had a good time," said Wignall. "It was good to see my family there. They hadn't seen me coach … [Read more...] about HAPPY HOMECOMING: Wignall guides Hawks to 72-6 victory at Knoxville
Jaguars rout Dowling on Senior Night, reach 20 wins for 3rd time under Groth
It was a memorable Senior Night for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers on Thursday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars recorded six pins and rolled to a 57-22 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference dual meet. "We wrestled well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "I thought all of our guys went out there and fought." Prior to the meet, … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Dowling on Senior Night, reach 20 wins for 3rd time under Groth
Jaguars avenge loss to No. 4 Valley, move into 3rd-place tie with Tigers
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team suffered a loss at Valley last month, the Jaguars were held to a season-low 40 points. On Tuesday night, that same offensive output was enough to produce a 40-34 victory in a rematch between the two teams at Centennial. "Valley's been a top-five team all year long," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge loss to No. 4 Valley, move into 3rd-place tie with Tigers
‘We couldn’t have responded any better’: Ankeny girls take down No. 1 DC-G
The Ankeny girls' basketball team entered Tuesday's non-conference game against visiting Dallas Center-Grimes with a .500 mark. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes showed that their record is deceiving. Ankeny had four players in double figures and rolled to a 61-44 victory over the Fillies, who are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. "It was a good win," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We couldn’t have responded any better’: Ankeny girls take down No. 1 DC-G
‘Our guys were poised and made some big plays’: Hawks hold on to beat DC-G
There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Four days after knocking off third-ranked Waukee in a stunning upset, the Hawks were back on the court Tuesday and posted a 63-58 victory over visiting Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game. Ankeny improved its record to 5-9. The Mustangs dropped to 7-4. "It feels good obviously just … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys were poised and made some big plays’: Hawks hold on to beat DC-G
Bondurant-Farrar tops Ankeny bowling teams in non-conference matchup
The Ankeny bowling teams both lost to Bondurant-Farrar in a non-conference dual meet on Tuesday at Great Escape, which serves as the home venue for both schools. The Bluejays won the boys' meet by a score of 2,832 to 2,716. They won the girls' meet by a score of 2,154 to 1,944. The two Bondurant-Farrar squads are now a combined 13-3 on the … [Read more...] about Bondurant-Farrar tops Ankeny bowling teams in non-conference matchup
Ankeny girls rack up 26 pins, crown 5 champs en route to CIML team title
During the regular season, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team went undefeated against the other schools in the CIML Conference. On Tuesday, Ankeny defeated those teams again to win the CIML individual tournament at Valley. It crowned five champions and racked up 230 points, 13 more than runner-up Raccoon River Northwest. Southeast Polk placed third in … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 26 pins, crown 5 champs en route to CIML team title
‘They’re playing at a very high level’: Tigers race past Centennial in 2nd half
Tuesday's showdown at Ankeny Centennial was a battle for third place in the CIML Conference boys' basketball standings. Fourth-ranked Valley turned the game into a rout. The Tigers closed out the third quarter with a 21-4 run to build a 65-44 advantage and went on to defeat No. 5 Centennial, 83-55. They shot 64.8 percent from the field (35-of-54) while … [Read more...] about ‘They’re playing at a very high level’: Tigers race past Centennial in 2nd half
Hawks crown trio of champs at Sharp Invite, place 2nd overall behind W-SR
With three individual champions, the Ankeny wrestling team earned a runner-up finish in the Bob Sharp Invitational on Saturday at Ankeny. The fifth-ranked Hawks racked up 234 points in the 10-team tournament. Waverly-Shell Rock captured the team title with 267.5 points. "We were hoping to win it," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "But we lost a couple … [Read more...] about Hawks crown trio of champs at Sharp Invite, place 2nd overall behind W-SR
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Owen Schwebach, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Junior Owen Schwebach is one of the top swimmers on the fourth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team. He won two individual events and also anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay as the Hawks posted a 90-80 victory at No. 5 Linn-Mar (Marion) on Saturday to finish the dual-meet season with an overall record of 4-3-1. Schwebach is currently ranked fifth in … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Owen Schwebach, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Engebretson, Bishop win titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Sharp Invite
Ankeny girls' wrestling coach Dustin Roland was happy with his team's first-place finish in the Bob Sharp Invitational on Saturday at Southview Middle School. But he still wants more from his squad. "It wasn't our best outing, but we were able to edge Mason City for the team title," Roland said. "We won most of the matches we should have, but dropped … [Read more...] about Engebretson, Bishop win titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Sharp Invite