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)
Joel Lanning
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny baseball team (2nd team)
Earlier this week, Ankeny Fanatic announced the first of three teams that comprise the all-time Ankeny baseball team--the 12 players on the third team. Today, we are announcing the second team. The first team will be unveiled by the end of the week. Ankeny Centennial coach Mark Hey coached several of the players on the second team during his tenure as … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny baseball team (2nd team)
‘We don’t worry about outside noise’: High hopes don’t faze Olson, Cyclones
Collin Olson didn't earn his first collegiate start until the third game of his redshirt junior season on the Iowa State football team. Now, after starting the final 11 games last year, Olson is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 left guard on the Cyclones' offensive line. However, the former Ankeny Centennial standout still doesn't consider himself a … [Read more...] about ‘We don’t worry about outside noise’: High hopes don’t faze Olson, Cyclones
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 22
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm discussed the head trauma issue in football with Iowa State Senator Jack Whitver, then talked with Ankeny native and former Iowa State linebacker Joel Lanning about his football future. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 22
Like Lanning, Olson hopes to benefit from position switch
Collin Olson has a lot in common with former Ankeny and Iowa State teammate Joel Lanning. Both were standouts in the same three sports in high school--football, wrestling and baseball. Both of them went on to join the Iowa State football team and had to work their way up the depth chart during their first few seasons with the Cyclones. A year ago, … [Read more...] about Like Lanning, Olson hopes to benefit from position switch