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Jordan Mullen

Jags, Hawks gear up for state qualifying meets after tune-up at conference

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With the CIML Conference meet now in the books, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams have their eyes set on their respective Class 4A state qualifying meets. The Jaguars crowned five champions on their way to a sixth-place overall finish with 74 points, while the Hawks crowned one individual champion and one … [Read more...] about Jags, Hawks gear up for state qualifying meets after tune-up at conference

‘Sam has his confidence back’: Madsen races to hurdles win at North Polk Invite

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The Ankeny boys' track team competed at the North Polk Invitational on Tuesday and got a huge win from Sam Madsen in the 110 hurdles. Madsen posted a personal-best time of 14.46 seconds, which puts him among the top nine hurdlers in Class 4A. It was also the fourth-fastest time in school history. Madsen also ran on the winning shuttle hurdle relay. He … [Read more...] about ‘Sam has his confidence back’: Madsen races to hurdles win at North Polk Invite

‘It was an awesome team effort!’: Ankeny boys capture 5 events at Hawk Relays

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Although the Ankeny boys' track team didn't stack its lineup for the Fred Smith Hawk Relays on Tuesday, the Hawks still put up several impressive performances. Ankeny won five events and placed fourth overall in the 11-team field with 89 points. Indianola won the meet with 117 points, followed by Waukee with 107 and Gilbert with 99. "It was an awesome … [Read more...] about ‘It was an awesome team effort!’: Ankeny boys capture 5 events at Hawk Relays

Carlson wins 110 hurdles, Hawks capture distance medley relay at Duncan Invite

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The Ankeny boys' track team earned a pair of victories in the Jim Duncan Invitational on Saturday at Drake Stadium, while Ankeny Centennial recorded several top-six finishes. Ankeny senior Hayden Carlson easily won the 110 hurdles in 13.99 seconds. Blake Ludwig of Waukee Northwest was the runner-up in 14.70. "It was a very good day for the Hawks!" said … [Read more...] about Carlson wins 110 hurdles, Hawks capture distance medley relay at Duncan Invite

‘We saw some really nice races’: Hawks, Jaguars compete at Early Bird Relays

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams turned in some strong performances in the Early Bird Relays on Thursday at Waukee Northwest. Six squads competed in the meet, which was unscored. "We saw some really nice races," said Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. "We had a lot of early season PRs, which is really exciting. I believe as a team … [Read more...] about ‘We saw some really nice races’: Hawks, Jaguars compete at Early Bird Relays

‘They are ready for the challenge!’: 2-time champion Hawks return 5 state qualifiers

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The bar has been raised by the Ankeny boys' track program over the last few seasons. After placing second in the Class 4A state meet in 2023, the Hawks won back-to-back titles in 2024-25 under coach Jordan Mullen.  "We have a lot of momentum and excitement going into this year!" said Mullen. "We are going to heavily focus on our team. As … [Read more...] about ‘They are ready for the challenge!’: 2-time champion Hawks return 5 state qualifiers

Ankeny boys’ track coach Mullen to be inducted into IATC Hall of Fame Saturday

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Last summer, Ankeny boys' track coach Jordan Mullen got a phone call from Mike Jay, the voice of the Drake Relays and the coed state track meet. The reason for the call was not what Mullen expected. "I just thought it was to say congrats for the state title, but it was to tell me I was inducted into the Hall of Fame!" recalled Mullen. "I was caught off … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ track coach Mullen to be inducted into IATC Hall of Fame Saturday

‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown

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Landon Pote proudly held on to the Class 4A championship trophy as his teammates on the Ankeny boys' track squad crowded around him on the infield turf at Drake Stadium. The Hawks had just won a second consecutive state title on Saturday in emphatic fashion. "I asked God for three things: for high jump to go better than last year, for shuttle hurdle to … [Read more...] about ‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown

‘It was an absolute total team effort!’: Ankeny squads sweep crowns at SQM

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It was a sweet repeat for the Ankeny track squads. The Hawks and Hawkettes swept the team titles in a Class 4A state qualifying meet on Thursday at Marshalltown. They duplicated last year's sweep at Council Bluffs. "It was an absolute total team effort!" said Ankeny boys' coach Jordan Mullen. "The boys are firing on all cylinders right now, and they … [Read more...] about ‘It was an absolute total team effort!’: Ankeny squads sweep crowns at SQM

Hawks claim 3 individual titles at CIML meet, focus more on defending 4A crown

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny boys' track team knows what it takes to reach the top, and the Hawks are just making sure the pieces are in place to do so. The defending Class 4A state champion Hawks earned three individual titles while placing fourth overall with 101 points during the CIML Conference meet on Thursday at Ankeny Stadium. “The … [Read more...] about Hawks claim 3 individual titles at CIML meet, focus more on defending 4A crown

‘We’re excited to see where we stack up’: Jaguars, Hawks look ahead to state meet

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Over the course of three days at the Drake Relays, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team showed that the Jaguars will be a force at next month's Class 4A state meet. "I'm really confident in me and my teammates' ability to come out and compete with the best of them," said Centennial senior Braeden Jackson, who ran on the third-place 4x100 and … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited to see where we stack up’: Jaguars, Hawks look ahead to state meet

‘It’s a great feeling’: Ankeny boys defend their Drake Relays crown in 4×800 relay

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The boys' 4x800 relay at the Drake Relays on Saturday didn't exactly go according to plan for defending champion Ankeny. The Hawks were in second place when their third runner, Justice Rathje, fell onto the track while handing the baton to teammate Ethan Zuber. "I was just trying not to fall over that last 300 (meters) when that Cedar Falls guy passed … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a great feeling’: Ankeny boys defend their Drake Relays crown in 4×800 relay

‘We just had to run our own race’: Jaguars break Drake Relays record in 4×200 relay

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Friday's session of the Drake Relays produced many memorable moments on a cool and overcast day, including a record-setting performance by the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. The Jaguars raced to a victory in the 4x200 relay in a meet-record time of 1:26.55, finishing .56 seconds ahead of runner-up Newton. It was one of five high school marks that … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to run our own race’: Jaguars break Drake Relays record in 4×200 relay

Hawks cruise to fast times on home track, qualify for Drake in 4×800, 4×400 relays

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The Ankeny boys' track team focused on a handful of events during the Fred Smith Hawk Relays on Tuesday at Ankeny Stadium. The Hawks, who didn't even enter three of the relays, won four events and placed fifth overall in the 10-team field. They finished with 73 points. Dowling Catholic and Waukee each scored 110 points to tie for the team title. "It … [Read more...] about Hawks cruise to fast times on home track, qualify for Drake in 4×800, 4×400 relays

Tomlinson, Pote earn victories as Hawks shine in field events at Urbandale Invite

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The Ankeny boys' track team is well known for its collection of outstanding sprinters, hurdlers and distance runners. But the Hawks are pretty strong in the field events as well. Ankeny scored a total of 25 points in the jumping and throwing events at the Urbandale Invitational on Tuesday. There were no official results beyond those four events because … [Read more...] about Tomlinson, Pote earn victories as Hawks shine in field events at Urbandale Invite

Carlson breaks school record in hurdles, qualifies for Drake along with Zuber

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Two days after helping the Ankeny boys' shuttle hurdle relay team to a school record, junior Hayden Carlson set another mark on Saturday. Carlson raced to a second-place finish in the 110 hurdles at the Ruth Marske Indoor Invitational, which was held at South Dakota State University. He posted a time of 14.36 seconds. Teammates Gavin Wise (15.64) and … [Read more...] about Carlson breaks school record in hurdles, qualifies for Drake along with Zuber

Jaguars win 9 events at Early Bird Relays; Hawks ‘set the tone’ in shuttle hurdle

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams made some strong statements on Thursday at the Waukee Northwest Early Bird Relays. No team scores were kept, but the Jaguars turned in a dominant performance. They won nine events, including four relays. The Hawks, meanwhile, had three victories--and two of them were particularly impressive. Ethan … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 9 events at Early Bird Relays; Hawks ‘set the tone’ in shuttle hurdle

‘It’s time to make some noise!’: Hawks appear loaded for another run at 4A title

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Ankeny boys' track coach Jordan Mullen has already put 2024 behind him. The Hawks' record-setting performance in last year's Class 4A state meet won't mean anything when the 2025 season begins on Thursday with the ISU Indoor Meet at Ames. "In our preseason meeting I spoke about last year with the kids and how special of a year it was, and how that … [Read more...] about ‘It’s time to make some noise!’: Hawks appear loaded for another run at 4A title