Justin Crouch

Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch always enjoys going back to his old stomping grounds. Thursday's visit to the Dowling Catholic pool was especially enjoyable for the former Maroons' swimmer. Crouch guided the Hawks to a 105-65 victory over Dowling in their season opener. "With everything going on and the unknown of if or when we would get … [Read more...] about Crouch returns to ‘special’ place, guides Hawk swimmers past Dowling

There may not be another boys' swimming team in the state with as much elite talent as Ankeny's foursome of Trent Frandson, Weston Miner, Brek Stukerjurgen and Lance Swanepoel. That quartet alone will likely put the Hawks into contention for the state title in February. "I do think that we have a lot of talent returning," said Ankeny coach Justin … [Read more...] about ‘There is a lot of work still to be done’: Ankeny swimmers seek another crown

There wasn't much suspense during Tuesday's boys' swimming dual meet between Ankeny and Fort Dodge at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The second-ranked Hawks won every event and rolled to a 138-32 victory in the non-conference matchup. With the outcome never in doubt, Tuesday's meet was an opportunity to celebrate Ankeny's four seniors. Marcus Garcilazo, … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers celebrate their seniors while dominating Fort Dodge

The Ankeny boys' swimming team had not lost a dual meet in nearly two years. The Hawks' unbeaten streak came to an end on Thursday with a 93-77 loss to Dowling Catholic at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Maroons used a strong finish to win the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams. "Give Dowling credit--their last three events were better than … [Read more...] about ‘Give Dowling credit’: Maroons hand Ankeny swimmers first loss in 2 years

The Ankeny boys' swimming team almost won the Mike Wittmer Invitational on Saturday at Ames, even without two of their best swimmers. The Hawks placed second in the six-team field with 263.5 points. They finished just 7.5 points behind Ames, which won the meet for the fourth straight year. Ankeny competed without standout distance swimmers Trent … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers win 5 events, take 2nd overall at Wittmer Invitational

The Ankeny boys' swimming team tuned up for Saturday's Mike Wittmer Invitational with a 120-50 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in its dual-meet opener on Thursday. Ankeny coach Justin Crouch was pleased with the progress that his team showed. The Hawks had been idle since winning the Sprint Classic on Nov. 26 at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "We are … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers top Roosevelt, gear up for Wittmer Invitational

The Ankeny boys' swimming team edged Dowling Catholic to win the season-opening Sprint Classic on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Hawks won eight events and finished with 457 points. Dowling took second in the five-team field with 445.5. "It was a solid performance all the way around," said Ankeny coach Justin Crouch. "Considering we had … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers win 8 events, edge Dowling to capture Sprint Classic crown

Justin Crouch knows that the Ankeny boys' swimming team is going to get every opponent's best shot. That's what happens when you're the defending state champion. "I know we have the experience from last year that will be a big help, but for us to repeat we have to continue to work and strive to get better because the other contenders out there won't … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Ankeny swimmers ‘won’t back down to anyone’

Thursday's CIML Central Conference boys' swimming meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center was switched to a junior varsity meet after being postponed from Saturday due to bad weather. With the district meets coming up in nine days, all four of the league's coaches agreed with the move in order to allow their varsity swimmers to focus on their … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers place 4th at JV conference meet