Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Lauren McMahon

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ track and field team

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When Ankeny Fanatic started unveiling its various all-time Ankeny athletic teams in 2020, it sparked a lot of interest in the community. Some of the current and former girls' track coaches even got together during the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss the greatest Ankeny athletes in their sport. "A bunch of us did an online conference and chose what we … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ track and field team

Hawkettes tie for 4th in 4A, while Jaguars score most points in school history

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The bar has been raised for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams. The Hawkettes tied for fourth place in the Class 4A state meet that concluded on Saturday at Drake Stadium. They finished with 40 points, matching Cedar Falls' total. It was Ankeny's highest finish since 1997, when the Hawkettes earned runner-up honors in Class 3A. "We … [Read more...] about Hawkettes tie for 4th in 4A, while Jaguars score most points in school history

McMahon wins 3,000 in dramatic fashion; Jaguars place 3rd in 4×800 relay

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Ankeny senior Lauren McMahon asked herself a question as she watched Iowa City Liberty's Ashlyn Keeney take the lead on the final lap of the 3,000-meter run in the girls' Class 4A state track meet on Thursday. "I knew she was going to come out with a really good 400 kick," McMahon said of Keeney. "I was just thinking in my head, 'Lauren, what do you have … [Read more...] about McMahon wins 3,000 in dramatic fashion; Jaguars place 3rd in 4×800 relay

Hawkettes place 2nd behind Waukee, qualify for state meet in 16 events

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Thursday's Class 4A regional meet at Waukee couldn't have gone much better for the Ankeny girls' track team. The Hawkettes placed second in the eight-team field with 146 points. Waukee easily won the meet with 186 points. "We knew winning a team title was out of the question with a tough draw against Waukee," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. "It was … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 2nd behind Waukee, qualify for state meet in 16 events

Hawkettes edge Centennial girls by 6 points to win Iowa Conference crown

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team continues to chase its crosstown rival. On Tuesday, the Jaguars nearly caught Ankeny for the first time this season. The two squads waged a close battle for the team title in the CIML Iowa Conference meet at Mason City. The Hawkettes emerged with the crown, racking up 159 points to edge Centennial by six … [Read more...] about Hawkettes edge Centennial girls by 6 points to win Iowa Conference crown

‘We had a fun time’: Ankeny, Centennial girls shine at first Jaguar Invite

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The championship season begins next week for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams. Both squads appear to be on target to peak at the end of the season. The Hawkettes placed second in the Jaguar Invitational on Thursday at Ankeny. They finished with 142 points. "We feel we are going to be very competitive in a wide range of events as … [Read more...] about ‘We had a fun time’: Ankeny, Centennial girls shine at first Jaguar Invite

‘We had a tremendous day’: Hawkettes show off their depth at Drake Relays

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When the Ankeny girls' track team won the 4x100 relay at the Class 4A state meet two years ago, the Hawkettes were known as a squad with a lot of sprint speed. This year's team has proven to be very strong in multiple areas. Ankeny showed off its depth on Thursday at the Drake Relays, where the Hawkettes medaled in six events and had five top-five … [Read more...] about ‘We had a tremendous day’: Hawkettes show off their depth at Drake Relays

Unbeaten Dowling Catholic hands Hawkettes their first loss of the season

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team couldn't find a way to score a goal during Thursday's game at Dowling Catholic. The Hawkettes are not alone. The Maroons got a goal from Julia Moore midway through the second half and posted a 1-0 victory for their fourth consecutive shutout. They have outscored their opponents by a 14-0 margin this season. "We probably … [Read more...] about Unbeaten Dowling Catholic hands Hawkettes their first loss of the season

‘We basically ignored team scores’: Jags, Hawkettes focus on Drake qualifying

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Thursday's Chuck Silvey Invitational at Urbandale provided one last opportunity for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams to qualify some events for the Drake Relays. It produced some mixed results. In the end, though, both Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter and Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich were mostly happy with the outcomes. "Our focus … [Read more...] about ‘We basically ignored team scores’: Jags, Hawkettes focus on Drake qualifying

McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown

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It's been a few years since the Ankeny girls' track team won its own Hawkette Invitational. The Hawkettes put an end to that drought with a dominating performance on Thursday. Ankeny captured eight events and easily won the team title with 178.75 points. The Hawkettes last won their home meet in 2017, when Dennis Adamson was the team's coach. "It … [Read more...] about McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ cross country team

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Craig Doocy coached a lot of talented runners during his 28 years as the head coach of the Ankeny girls' cross country team. Doocy took over the program in 1989 and guided the Hawkettes to 15 state-meet appearances before retiring after the 2016 season. "I was blessed with coaching so many awesome, hard-working, dedicated student-athletes that I was … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ cross country team

‘Every girl had a phenomenal race’: Jaguars capture 3rd-place trophy

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As she crossed the finish line at the girls' Class 4A state cross country meet on Friday, Ankeny Centennial sophomore Rondi Quass knew that she had earned a spot on the awards podium. Quass later discovered that she would get to make two appearances on the clubhouse deck at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. She not only placed 14th as an individual, … [Read more...] about ‘Every girl had a phenomenal race’: Jaguars capture 3rd-place trophy

Hawkettes advance to state for first time since 2016; Cox also qualifies for Hawks

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The Ankeny girls' cross country team is headed to the state meet for the first time since 2016. The Hawkettes will be joined in Fort Dodge by Cael Cox of the Ankeny boys' squad, who also advanced as an individual with a 15th-place finish in a Class 4A district meet on Wednesday at Marshalltown. However, the Hawks came up three points short of … [Read more...] about Hawkettes advance to state for first time since 2016; Cox also qualifies for Hawks

Hawkette to become a Hawkeye: McMahon verbally commits to Iowa

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It didn't take long for Ankeny senior Lauren McMahon to attract the attention of college coaches. It didn't take long, either, for the running sensation to pick a school. On Friday, McMahon announced her verbal commitment to Iowa's cross country and track programs. "I got the opportunity to talk to (associate head coach Randy) Hasenbank from Iowa," … [Read more...] about Hawkette to become a Hawkeye: McMahon verbally commits to Iowa

Ankeny’s McMahon, Centennial girls race to titles at CIML Iowa Conference meet

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Ankeny senior Lauren McMahon raced to a conference title on Thursday. The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team did as well. The fourth-ranked Jaguars overcame McMahon's victory and a strong performance by No. 11 Ankeny to win the CIML Iowa Conference crown at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. It was the first league title since 2016 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s McMahon, Centennial girls race to titles at CIML Iowa Conference meet

McMahon avenges her only loss, while Ankeny boys claim Fort Dodge crown

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Thursday was a good night for Lauren McMahon and the Ankeny girls' cross country team. The Ankeny boys' squad, and both Ankeny Centennial teams, also had some good performances at the Fort Dodge Invitational. The meet consisted of two separate pods so Ankeny's crosstown rivals did not race against each other. The top-ranked McMahon avenged her only … [Read more...] about McMahon avenges her only loss, while Ankeny boys claim Fort Dodge crown

Ankeny cross country teams continue to make progress at S.E. Polk Invitational

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The Ankeny cross country teams took a step forward Thursday as the calendar turned to October. Even senior Lauren McMahon, who suffered her first loss of the season, was happy with her second-place finish at the Southeast Polk Invitational. "I had so much fun at the race tonight," said McMahon, who finished 6 seconds behind Carlisle standout Ainsley … [Read more...] about Ankeny cross country teams continue to make progress at S.E. Polk Invitational