Ankeny Fanatic

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Jack Belding

‘We just had 3 immaculate days’: Hawks score record 112 points, cruise to 4A title

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The members of the Ankeny boys' track team shared some hugs on the infield turf as the crowd exited Drake Stadium on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The Hawks had just made some history in the Class 4A state meet, racking up a record 112 points to win the school's first state championship since 1972. "I didn't know how many points we could score," said … [Read more...] about ‘We just had 3 immaculate days’: Hawks score record 112 points, cruise to 4A title

‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race

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The Ankeny boys' track team didn't just make a huge statement on Thursday. The Hawks made several of them. Ankeny won the first three finals on the track in the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium, double-placed in the high jump and took a commanding lead in the team race heading into Friday's events in the three-day competition. The Hawks have … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race

KABOOM!: Ankeny boys bring thunder and lightning, capture 2 titles at Relays

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The ultimate goal for the Ankeny boys' track team is to win the Class 4A state championship next month. And despite some mishaps, the Hawks showed over the last two days at the Drake Relays that they are clearly the team to beat. "I'm just ready for May," said Ankeny senior Jake Bosch, who ran on the winning 4x800 relay on Saturday. "I'm looking … [Read more...] about KABOOM!: Ankeny boys bring thunder and lightning, capture 2 titles at Relays

‘We crushed it!’: Hawks win DMR at DCG, post 3rd-fastest time in U.S. in ’24

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The Ankeny boys' track team won only one event in the Mustang Classic on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes, but the lone victory reverberated around the state. The Ankeny foursome of Sam Sandvig, Devon Akers, Jack Belding and Ethan Zuber won the distance medley relay in a time of 3:25.60. The Hawks won the race by more than 9 seconds and posted the fastest … [Read more...] about ‘We crushed it!’: Hawks win DMR at DCG, post 3rd-fastest time in U.S. in ’24

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Belding, Ankeny boys’ track

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Ankeny senior Jack Belding is one of the state's top sprinters. He led the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the boys' Class 4A state track meet last season. Belding won a state title in the 400 in 47.94 seconds, equaling the 17th-fastest time in state history. He also placed third in the 200. Belding anchored Ankeny to a second-place finish in the sprint … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Belding, Ankeny boys’ track

Rock Chalk Jackhawk: Ankeny sprinter Belding picks Kansas over ISU, SDSU

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Ankeny sprinter Jack Belding has verbally committed to run for Kansas. The senior announced on Wednesday that he picked the Jayhawks over Iowa State and South Dakota State. "I looked at several schools and narrowed it down to (those three)," said Belding. "I was focused on schools that also offered architecture, which also narrowed the choices. It was … [Read more...] about Rock Chalk Jackhawk: Ankeny sprinter Belding picks Kansas over ISU, SDSU

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ track team

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When Tarry Cory was growing up in Ankeny, he played a variety of sports. Like many boys, Cory enjoyed competing in the major sports of football, basketball and baseball. But he also tried some other sports, including track and field, where something sparked his interest in the pole vault. "During the seventh grade, we'd go over to where the football … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ track team

THE CIML RULES: Johnston boys edge Hawks in epic battle for Class 4A crown

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It was an epic battle that neither team deserved to lose. In the end, though, the Ankeny boys' track squad was nosed out for the Class 4A state championship by one of its CIML rivals. Johnston edged the Hawks in the final two events, the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, to capture the title on a sunny Saturday at Drake Stadium. The Dragons racked up 84 points, … [Read more...] about THE CIML RULES: Johnston boys edge Hawks in epic battle for Class 4A crown

‘It’s something I’ll never forget’: Ankeny’s Belding races to 4A state crown in 400

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A year ago, Ankeny's Jack Belding watched as teammate Tyrese Miller raced to a victory in the 400 at the Class 4A state meet. On Thursday at Drake Stadium, Belding accomplished the same feat. The junior came out of Lane 2 to win the event in a time of 47.94 seconds. He nearly broke the school record of 47.91 that Miller set at last year's Drake … [Read more...] about ‘It’s something I’ll never forget’: Ankeny’s Belding races to 4A state crown in 400

THE DROUGHT ENDS: Hawks claim their first Drake relay crown since 2004

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The four members of the Ankeny boys' 4x400 relay team weren't even alive the last time that the Hawks won a relay crown at the Drake Relays. The school's 19-year drought ended on Saturday as Bram van de Mortel, Tyson Miller, Jack Belding and Jake Bosch teamed up to win the final event of America's Athletic Classic in a time of 3:19.19. Ankeny had not won … [Read more...] about THE DROUGHT ENDS: Hawks claim their first Drake relay crown since 2004

‘This is just a warmup for state’: Hawks’ blazing speed on full display at Relays

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Taking advantage of the perfect weather conditions, Ankeny's duo of Tyler Sickerson and Jack Belding both qualified for the final in the boys' 100-meter dash at the Drake Relays on Friday morning. Sickerson won his preliminary heat in a time of 10.70 seconds. Belding was third in the same heat in 10.84 and also advanced. "I came out here today focusing … [Read more...] about ‘This is just a warmup for state’: Hawks’ blazing speed on full display at Relays

Ankeny boys race to sprint medley relay crown, place 3rd overall in Class 4A

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The strategy for the Ankeny boys' sprint medley relay team was simple. Get the baton to anchor runner Tyrese Miller--the Class 4A 400-meter champion--within striking distance of the lead, and let him do the rest. It turned out that Miller didn't need to make up any ground after all. His teammates--Jack Belding, Tyler Sickerson and Tyson … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys race to sprint medley relay crown, place 3rd overall in Class 4A

Centennial’s Valentine places 4th in long jump; Hawks take 5th in 4×200 relay

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Ankeny Centennial senior Isaiah Valentine jumped 21 feet 6 inches on his second attempt in the long jump at the Class 4A state track meet on Friday at Drake Stadium. Valentine wasn't able to improve his mark on the next four jumps, but he held on for a fourth-place finish. He scored five points for the Jaguars, who are tied for 23rd place heading into the … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Valentine places 4th in long jump; Hawks take 5th in 4×200 relay

A STRONG FINISH: Ankeny boys place 2nd in 4×100, 3rd in 4×400, 6th in 4×800

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It seems only fitting that Ankeny senior Tyrese Miller got to run the final lap of the final event in the 112th Drake Relays on Saturday afternoon. After all, he spent most of the weekend on the blue oval, leaving his competitors in the dust. Miller completed a spectacular meet by helping the Hawks to a third-place finish in the boys' 4x400 relay. He … [Read more...] about A STRONG FINISH: Ankeny boys place 2nd in 4×100, 3rd in 4×400, 6th in 4×800