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
Mytika Mayberry
Hawkettes place 2nd behind Waukee, qualify for state meet in 16 events
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
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 tremendous day’: Hawkettes show off their depth at Drake Relays
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
Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI
Ankeny sprinters Mytika Mayberry and Eva van de Mortel are both headed to Division I track and field programs in Iowa. They could have remained teammates on the collegiate level, but van de Mortel decided to pursue a different path. While Mayberry has committed to run for Iowa, van de Mortel also considered the Hawkeyes before choosing Northern … [Read more...] about Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI
VIDEO: Highlights from final day of coed state track meet
Hawkettes claim 4×100 title for their first relay crown since 2000
It's been nearly 20 years since the Ankeny girls' track team captured a state title in a relay event. In the previous two years, the Hawkettes almost ended that drought. On Saturday, they finally did. The foursome of Mikala Sidney, Eva van de Mortel, Eva Fulk and Mytika Mayberry raced to a victory in the Class 4A 4x100 relay at Drake Stadium. The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes claim 4×100 title for their first relay crown since 2000
Opening day of state track meet marred by sweltering conditions
The heat took a toll Thursday on many of the athletes competing at the coed state track meet. With temperatures reaching a record 91 degrees at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, the sweltering conditions proved to be a huge obstacle for the competitors, regardless of the event. Even some of the state's best sprinters struggled to adapt. "I was a bit … [Read more...] about Opening day of state track meet marred by sweltering conditions
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 47
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Track standouts Mytika Mayberry and Conner Niffenegger of Ankeny and Katie Petersen and Liam Murphy of Ankeny Centennial stopped by to preview this week's state meet with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 47
‘It’s a dream come true’: Hawkettes’ 4×100 relay wins coveted white flags
Mytika Mayberry jogged across the infield turf at Drake Stadium on Saturday along with her three teammates, waving their coveted white flags. Just a few minutes earlier, Mayberry had sprinted down the homestretch of the blue oval, anchoring the Ankeny girls' 4x100 relay team to its first victory at the Drake Relays in 22 years. "This feels amazing," … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a dream come true’: Hawkettes’ 4×100 relay wins coveted white flags
VIDEO: Ankeny girls race to Drake Relays crown
Thrice as nice: 3 Ankeny sprinters earn top-8 finishes in girls’ 100
The maroon-and-gold colors of Ankeny High School were easy to spot during the final of the girls' 100-meter dash at the Drake Relays on Friday. Three of the eight finalists in the race were Ankeny teammates: Mytika Mayberry, Eva van de Mortel and Mikala Sidney. "We all worked so hard to get here, and I'm so proud of all these ladies," said van de … [Read more...] about Thrice as nice: 3 Ankeny sprinters earn top-8 finishes in girls’ 100
After storm delay, Hawkettes race to 3rd-place finish in 4×100 relay
The Ankeny girls' track team had to wait longer than expected to score some points in the Class 4A state meet. The Hawkettes entered Saturday's final in the 4x100 relay with the fastest qualifying time, but the race was delayed by nearly two hours due to a severe thunderstorm that passed through the Des Moines area. The storm warning led to the … [Read more...] about After storm delay, Hawkettes race to 3rd-place finish in 4×100 relay
Hawkettes win 4×1 prelim, crack Iowa’s all-time top-10 list
Friday was a good day for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. It wasn't bad for Ankeny, either. Both squads turned in some impressive performances on another beautiful day at the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium. While the Jaguars scored points in two more events, Ankeny put itself in position to get on the scoreboard on Saturday. The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes win 4×1 prelim, crack Iowa’s all-time top-10 list
‘Nervous’ Jones leads the way as Jaguars break 4 school records
A bundle of nervous energy paid off in a big way Thursday for Ankeny Centennial's Calea Jones. The sophomore had a hand in three school records as the Jaguars placed second in a girls' Class 4A regional track meet at Waukee. She won the high jump and ran on two runner-up relays that also qualified for next week's state meet at Drake Stadium. "I was … [Read more...] about ‘Nervous’ Jones leads the way as Jaguars break 4 school records
Centennial, Ankeny headed to Drake Relays in numerous events
All four of Ankeny's track teams will be well represented at this week's Drake Relays. The Ankeny Centennial boys' and girls' squads have both qualified in nine events. The Ankeny boys' team has qualified in seven events, while the girls' squad has qualified in six. Centennial senior Ryan VanBaale will try to become a four-time placewinner in the boys' … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny headed to Drake Relays in numerous events
Jaguars place 3rd in 4×400, edge Ankeny for runner-up honors at Silvey Invite
Going into the final event at the Chuck Silvey Invitational on Thursday at Urbandale, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams were tied for second place with 88 points apiece. The Jaguars then placed third in the 4x400 relay to earn the runner-up spot in the eight-team field, finishing with 94 points. The Hawkettes were disqualified in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 3rd in 4×400, edge Ankeny for runner-up honors at Silvey Invite
Ankeny, Centennial girls finish 1-2 at Werling Relays
Although six other girls' track teams competed in the Ron Werling Relays on Thursday at Indianola, the meet was dominated by the two schools from Ankeny. Ankeny High School won eight events and racked up 158 points to claim the team title for the third straight year. Ankeny Centennial was second with 117 points. "The team is making strides toward … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial girls finish 1-2 at Werling Relays
Hawkettes finish in middle of pack at Little Cyclone Invitational
The Ankeny girls' track team was one of five squads that racked up at least 100 points in the Little Cyclone Invitational on Tuesday at Ames. The Hawkettes scored 100 points even to finish right in the middle of the pack. They placed behind four quality teams, but defeated four other squads in the nine-team meet. "We had a good night," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes finish in middle of pack at Little Cyclone Invitational