Junior Ella Kuper is a member of the Ankeny girls' track team. "Ella filled in several events for us at the Waukee Earlybird meet (on March 26) due to schedule conflicts with other kids," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. "She did a great job and held her own against some tough competition. She’s a great leader for us." The Hawkettes will compete in … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ella Kuper, Ankeny girls’ track
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Hawks win shootout against C.R. Kennedy, give Varnum his first victory
The Ankeny boys' soccer team didn't have to wait long to get back on the field Saturday after a season-opening loss. The Hawks dropped a 2-0 decision to Linn-Mar (Marion) in their opener, but came back a couple hours later and defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 1-0, in a shootout. Both games were played at Ankeny. "The boys showed a lot of grit," said … [Read more...] about Hawks win shootout against C.R. Kennedy, give Varnum his first victory
‘We learned a lot about ourselves’: Jags top C.R. Washington, fall to I.C. West
If nothing else, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team is now battle-tested. The Jaguars opened their season on Saturday by splitting a pair of games in eastern Iowa. They posted a 1-0 victory over Cedar Rapids Washington before dropping a 2-0 decision to host Iowa City West. "We traveled with 21 guys, and we were down to 17 by the time we played … [Read more...] about ‘We learned a lot about ourselves’: Jags top C.R. Washington, fall to I.C. West
No. 6 Centennial girls to rely heavily on senior duo of Gustafson, Guan
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team is ranked sixth in Class 2A in the preseason rankings. The Jaguars will find out on Tuesday if they deserve that ranking when they open the season at No. 4 Valley. "I think the girls have done a really nice job at adapting to my way of coaching and practice," said Centennial coach Armando Espinosa. "I guess we … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls to rely heavily on senior duo of Gustafson, Guan
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team
The success of the Ankeny boys' soccer program didn't happen overnight. The Hawks struggled to a 2-12-2 record in their first season of competition in 1985, and they didn't post a winning mark until 1989, when coach Mark McDougal led the team to a 7-6-3 campaign. The 1990s saw some gradual progress under McDougal and then Peter Rameh, who took over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mason Thompson, Ankeny boys’ track
Senior Mason Thompson is a member of the Ankeny boys' track team. The standout hurdler has committed to run for Grand View next year. Thompson placed second in the 110 hurdles in the Brooks Relays on Saturday at Valley. He helped the Hawks to a sixth-place finish overall. Here is some inside info on Thompson: How is the season going thus far? For … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mason Thompson, Ankeny boys’ track
Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays
Even at less than full strength, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team made an emphatic statement on Saturday. The Jaguars claimed their second title in five days by winning the Brooks Relays at Valley. They finished with 135 points. "We're just trying to get through the season," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We have some injuries, and we're … [Read more...] about Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays
Jaguars win 4 events, place 3rd overall at Ram Relays; Hawks finish 6th
Earlier in the week, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team had to overcome some extremely windy conditions to win the Cub Relays at Nevada. On Thursday, the Jaguars--as well as crosstown rival Ankeny--had to deal with a different issue in the Ram Relays at Southeast Polk. "They were having some trouble with the timing system," said Ankeny coach Nick … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, place 3rd overall at Ram Relays; Hawks finish 6th
McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown
It's been a few years since the Ankeny girls' track team won its own Hawkette Invitational. The Hawkettes put an end to that drought with a dominating performance on Thursday. Ankeny captured eight events and easily won the team title with 178.75 points. The Hawkettes last won their home meet in 2017, when Dennis Adamson was the team's coach. "It … [Read more...] about McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown
‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights
Ankeny distance runner Andrew Poock has committed to Wartburg College. Poock picked the Knights over Central and Simpson. All three schools are members of the NCAA Division III American Rivers Conference. "I looked at Iowa State first, but after looking at Central, Simpson and Wartburg I liked the feel of the smaller schools better," Poock said. "I … [Read more...] about ‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights
‘The wind was relentless’: Hawkettes perform well despite tough conditions
The Ankeny girls' track team won a couple of individual events at the Waukee Invitational on Tuesday, even though the Hawkettes didn't score any points for those efforts. The 13-team meet featured an unusual format. Only the relay events were scored. Waukee won five of the seven relays and easily captured the team title with 66 points. Ames was second … [Read more...] about ‘The wind was relentless’: Hawkettes perform well despite tough conditions
‘It was a great start to our season!’: Centennial boys roll past Norwalk
Tuesday's cold and windy weather didn't seem to bother the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The Jaguars were just happy to be playing for the first time since 2019. Centennial opened its season with a 10-1 victory over visiting Norwalk in a non-conference meet. The Warriors' lone win came at No. 5 doubles. "I thought the guys played really … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great start to our season!’: Centennial boys roll past Norwalk
Ballenger, Vacek return home for ‘amazing experience’ to play Cyclones
The end of Alyssa Ballenger's collegiate volleyball career is just around the corner. Isabelle Vacek's career is just getting under way. Despite those differences, both former Ankeny standouts enjoyed returning to central Iowa last weekend as their Wayne State (Neb.) squad played a pair of exhibition matches against Iowa State at Hilton … [Read more...] about Ballenger, Vacek return home for ‘amazing experience’ to play Cyclones
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Irie Vincent, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Senior midfielder Irie Vincent is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny girls' soccer team. Vincent helped the Hawkettes to an 18-4 record and the Class 3A state title as a sophomore in 2019. She contributed one goal and three assists. Here is some inside info on Vincent: I think you're the only person I know with the first name of Irie. Is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Irie Vincent, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Homer, the Miracle League’s mascot, comes to Ankeny
The Ankeny Kiwanis Club is proud to welcome Miracle League's mascot Homer to Ankeny! Homer is the mascot for Miracle League--a national organization that promotes the creation of accessible baseball leagues and obstacle-free ball fields in communities across the country. A partnership of Ankeny Kiwanis Club service organization, the City of Ankeny, and a … [Read more...] about Homer, the Miracle League’s mascot, comes to Ankeny
With Webb leading the way, Hawkette golfers looking to qualify for state
There's no doubt that the Ankeny girls' golf program is trending in the right direction. Before the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawkettes posted a 3-2 dual record in 2019. It was their first winning campaign since the split into two high schools in 2013. Ankeny coach Seth Hagarty is confident that his team can pick up … [Read more...] about With Webb leading the way, Hawkette golfers looking to qualify for state
Vortherms enjoys ‘huge day’, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish at Iowa City
Kathryn Vortherms will continue her track career at the University of Iowa next year. On Saturday, Vortherms traveled to the city of her future home and showed why the Hawkeyes offered her a scholarship. Competing in the Sherwood Relays at Iowa City High, Vortherms anchored Centennial's 4x800 relay to a victory in school-record time. She later placed … [Read more...] about Vortherms enjoys ‘huge day’, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish at Iowa City
Scrimmage between Centennial, Johnston boys ends with a shootout
It was only a scrimmage, but the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team showed a lot of spunk Friday in its exhibition game against visiting Johnston. The Dragons jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Centennial rallied to forge a 4-4 tie at the end of regulation. Johnston then prevailed in a shootout, 5-4. "I didn't know what to expect after basically a … [Read more...] about Scrimmage between Centennial, Johnston boys ends with a shootout
Jaguars move outdoors for first time, win 7 events at Johnston Quadrangular
Andrew Kruzich knows a lot more about his Ankeny Centennial girls' track team than he did 24 hours ago. The Jaguars opened their outdoor season on Thursday by competing in the Johnston Quadrangular. They dominated some events and also performed very well in many others. "We had a good night," Kruzich said. "It was great to get outdoors and have a meet … [Read more...] about Jaguars move outdoors for first time, win 7 events at Johnston Quadrangular
Hawks win sprint medley relay, Jaguars also shine at Waukee Earlybird meet
The weather for Thursday's Waukee Earlybird boys' track meet wasn't the greatest. Still, Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial both overcame the rainy conditions to turn in some good performances. The meet was unscored. "Our kids competed very well," said Ankeny coach Nick Nelson. "We still have some of our top guys running at half capacity. We're waiting for … [Read more...] about Hawks win sprint medley relay, Jaguars also shine at Waukee Earlybird meet