For many high school athletes, finding the right college to compete at involves several different factors. The decision for Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke was even tougher. The golf and softball standout had to pick a sport, too. In the end, Drefke elected to focus on just one of the two. She will play golf at Augustana University (S.D.). "I … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie
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‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies
Ankeny wide receiver Devon Akers has verbally committed to play football at Northern Illinois. The 6-foot-6 Akers blossomed into one of the state's best deep-ball threats this season, catching 52 passes for 959 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked second in Class 5A and 12th in the entire state in receiving yards. Akers helped Ankeny to a 9-4 record … [Read more...] about ‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies
Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday
A long road trip to Spencer resulted in a season-opening victory for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes forced 27 turnovers and rolled to a 73-22 win in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon. "It was just a great opportunity for us to compete and spend some time together. It worked out well," said first-year Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday
Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada
After winning the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team has earned a little bit of a break. Ankeny won't compete again until Nov. 28, when it faces Valley in its CIML Conference opener at Johnston. "We have a number of girls banged up already this season so we are excited to have some recovery time over the … [Read more...] about Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caden Henkes, Ankeny football
Junior running back Caden Henkes accounted for 105 total yards and two touchdowns in the Ankeny football team's 49-21 loss to top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He ran eight times for 28 yards, including an 8-yard score late in the third quarter, and also caught four passes for 77 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caden Henkes, Ankeny football
‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team opens its season on Tuesday with a non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, the Jaguars will start a lineup consisting of five underclassmen. That's because there are no seniors on the squad's roster. "I do think we have had (this situation) before, but rarely," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars
Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller
Ankeny Centennial defensive back Connor Welsch will be reunited with former teammate Easton Miller next fall in Ames. Welsch has accepted an offer to join Iowa State's football program as a preferred walk-on. That's the same route that Miller chose last January. Miller has been playing on the scout team and dressed out for the first time on Saturday … [Read more...] about Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller
Hawks finish memorable postseason journey with 49-21 loss in 5A title game
Ankeny couldn't have asked for a better start in Friday's Class 5A championship football game. Unfortunately, the Hawks needed a lot more than a 90-yard kickoff return from Evan Irlmeier to knock off mighty Southeast Polk at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The top-ranked Rams got five touchdown runs from CJ Phillip, forced six Ankeny turnovers and rolled … [Read more...] about Hawks finish memorable postseason journey with 49-21 loss in 5A title game
Can Hawks dethrone S.E. Polk? Here is Fanatic’s prediction for Class 5A final
If you missed this week's Ankeny Fanatic podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, check it out. We broke down Friday night's Class 5A championship game with eight different guests, including both of Ankeny's coordinators, offensive tackle Lukis Beroth and defensive back Kinnick Vos. So will the Hawks capture their second title in four years and … [Read more...] about Can Hawks dethrone S.E. Polk? Here is Fanatic’s prediction for Class 5A final
‘They believe in themselves’: Hawkettes look to improve under new coach Tobey
New Ankeny girls' basketball coach Nate Tobey won't have to wait much longer to unveil his squad. The Hawkettes will open their season on Saturday with a non-conference game at Spencer. Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. "The practices are going very well," said Tobey, who was previously an assistant for the boys' team. "We had an active offseason, and that has … [Read more...] about ‘They believe in themselves’: Hawkettes look to improve under new coach Tobey
No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock
A year ago, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team opened its inaugural season with a pair of losses to Dallas Center-Grimes and Waverly-Shell Rock. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, Ankeny avenged those losses in impressive fashion. After opening the season with a 72-9 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes, seventh-ranked Ankeny then followed with a 42-39 win … [Read more...] about No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock
Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State
Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Luke Winkel has made his college plans. The senior point guard announced on social media Monday that he will continue his career at St. Cloud State, an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "Throughout the recruiting process, I met a lot of great people and had nice … [Read more...] about Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State
Centennial’s Bruhl chooses baseball over wrestling, will play for NIACC next year
Ankeny Centennial's Lucas Bruhl is a two-time state placewinner on the wrestling mat. His future, though, is on the baseball field. The senior shortstop has verbally committed to play next year at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. He announced his decision on social media Monday. "I visited a few other community colleges and a couple … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bruhl chooses baseball over wrestling, will play for NIACC next year
‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals
The expectations have been raised for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program. Ankeny advanced eight wrestlers to the state tournament in its inaugural season and graduated just one of those qualifiers. The team has also added a pair of talented newcomers in freshman Hayden Bratland and junior Haylee McGrew, who both won matches over the second-ranked girls … [Read more...] about ‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals
Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA
Several volleyball players from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have received postseason honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and the coaches in the CIML Conference. Centennial standouts Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt were both selected to the Class 5A all-state first team by the IGCA. The junior outside hitters led the Jaguars to a 31-7 record … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Mohrfeld, Ankeny football
Senior defensive back Jacob Mohrfeld made four tackles, blocked a field goal and intercepted a pass to help the Ankeny football team to a 10-7 victory over Ankeny Centennial in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday at the UNI-Dome. For the season, Mohrfeld has racked up 36.5 tackles for the 9-3 Hawks, including 28 solo stops. He has recorded six … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Mohrfeld, Ankeny football
Ankeny Christian’s Quick named to elite all-state team, Class 1A player of year
Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball star Katie Quick has been named to the elite all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Quick, a junior setter, was also selected the Class 1A player of the year after leading the Eagles to a second consecutive state championship. She has verbally committed to play for Drake. Quick ranked fourth in Class … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian’s Quick named to elite all-state team, Class 1A player of year
Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish
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
‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title
Ankeny's Jacob Mohrfeld couldn't believe what had just happened at the UNI-Dome. "It doesn't feel real," Mohrfeld said. "I can't believe it, man. It's crazy." The senior defensive back blocked a field goal and had one of his team's three interceptions as the Hawks knocked off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, 10-7, in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday … [Read more...] about ‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title
Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events
The Ankeny girls' swimming team advanced to Saturday's finals at the state meet in five of the eight individual events. Seniors Anja Peck and Josie Parton both qualified in two events during Friday's preliminaries at the Marshalltown YMCA. Junior Sophie Loeffler was the Hawkettes' other individual qualifier. Peck qualified for the "A" final in the 200 … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events