Ankeny Fanatic

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Ryan Crandall

‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

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Former Ankeny football standout Ryan Crandall is headed to Cedar Falls. One of the most productive linebackers at the NCAA Division I FCS level last season, Crandall announced on Wednesday that he will play next year at Northern Iowa under new head coach Todd Stepsis. "I looked at a handful of schools," said Crandall, who started 26 games in three … [Read more...] about ‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

‘I’m looking forward to this next chapter’: Ex-Hawk Crandall enters transfer portal

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One of the most productive linebackers at the NCAA Division I FCS level has entered the transfer portal. Former Ankeny standout Ryan Crandall, who led Western Illinois with 91 tackles this season while helping the Leathernecks to a 4-8 record, announced on Monday that he is seeking a new home. "Thank you Western Illinois University for the opportunity … [Read more...] about ‘I’m looking forward to this next chapter’: Ex-Hawk Crandall enters transfer portal

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)

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For several months, Ankeny Fanatic has been contacting the members of its all-time Ankeny football team to get a reaction from some of the players, as well as stories and favorite memories from their high school careers. One former Ankeny standout responded with a poem that he wrote. Ross Naylor entitled it, "Pezzetti's Proposal", in honor of his … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)

Aguirre, Crandall, Johnson named to all-substate boys’ basketball team

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Ankeny players Lio Aguirre, Ryan Crandall and Carson Johnson have been named to the Class 4A Substate 1 boys' basketball team. The trio helped the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the state tournament this season. Crandall, a senior forward, averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He was earlier selected to … [Read more...] about Aguirre, Crandall, Johnson named to all-substate boys’ basketball team

RARE AIR: Ankeny senior Crandall earns all-state honors in 3rd different sport

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Ankeny senior Ryan Crandall has joined an exclusive club. The boys' basketball standout has been named to the Class 4A all-state third team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. He previously earned all-state honors in both football and baseball, becoming a rare Ankeny athlete to be recognized in all three sports. Crandall, a forward, led the … [Read more...] about RARE AIR: Ankeny senior Crandall earns all-state honors in 3rd different sport

Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team

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Boys' basketball standouts Ryan Crandall of Ankeny and Caden Kelling of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. Crandall, a senior forward, led the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament. He averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team

‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

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A year ago, the Waukee boys' basketball team ended Ankeny's bid for a second consecutive Class 4A state title with a 74-54 victory in a substate final. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, the ninth-ranked Hawks returned the favor. Ankeny pulled away in the third quarter and then held on to beat the defending state champion Warriors, 62-57, in a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

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There were several upsets on Friday night in the semifinal round of the boys' Class 4A substate basketball tournaments. Ninth-ranked Ankeny refused to be one of the victims. The Hawks jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat visiting Sioux City West, 83-48, in a Substate 1 matchup. "You've really got to establish who you … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

‘I think we adjusted well’: AHS boys use bigger lineup without Johnson, top Rams

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The absence of its starting point guard didn't seem to bother the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The ninth-ranked Hawks placed four players in double figures and defeated visiting Southeast Polk, 68-55, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Ankeny played without sophomore Carson Johnson, who injured his knee during Friday's overtime victory against … [Read more...] about ‘I think we adjusted well’: AHS boys use bigger lineup without Johnson, top Rams

Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois

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Ryan Crandall has decided to wear different shades of purple and gold. After earlier committing to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato, the Ankeny defensive back has signed a letter of intent to play for Western Illinois next year. "It was a hard decision, but it's always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level I can possibly play at," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois

‘It was a great team win’: Hawks knock off Northwest, will host No. 1 Ames next

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This time, the Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't let a second-half lead slip away against Waukee Northwest. The eighth-ranked Hawks stayed alive in the race for the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 74-63 victory at No. 3 Northwest on Friday. The win was Ankeny's eighth in a row and avenged an earlier 57-50 loss to the Wolves. "It was a great team … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great team win’: Hawks knock off Northwest, will host No. 1 Ames next

Crandall’s dunk seals victory at Waukee; Hawks extend winning streak to 5 games

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was clinging to a 52-45 lead in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's non-conference game at Waukee when Carson Johnson launched a 3-pointer for the Hawks from the top of the key. The shot bounced off the front of the rim and then hit the backboard, giving Waukee a chance to grab the rebound and perhaps cut its seven-point … [Read more...] about Crandall’s dunk seals victory at Waukee; Hawks extend winning streak to 5 games

Crandall picks football, will join Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

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Ankeny senior Ryan Crandall is among the best three-sport athletes the school has ever produced. Deciding which of his three sports to play in college was not an easy choice. In the end, though, Crandall chose football over baseball and basketball. On Friday, the defensive back verbally committed to play for Minnesota State-Mankato, joining two of his … [Read more...] about Crandall picks football, will join Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

Hawks shut down former teammate Drea, Indianola for 72-60 road victory

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Indianola guard Brayden Drea was excited to play against his former teammates on Monday night. The Ankeny boys' basketball players relished that same opportunity. Lio Aguirre scored 20 points, Carson Johnson added 19, and the Hawks led from start to finish in a 72-60 victory at Indianola in a non-conference game. "It was fun," said Ankeny guard Ryan … [Read more...] about Hawks shut down former teammate Drea, Indianola for 72-60 road victory

‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory

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A few weeks ago, the Ankeny football team defeated Valley in the Class 5A semifinals to earn the right to play for a state championship. On Tuesday, the Hawks waged another epic battle against their CIML rival--this time on the basketball court. Ryan Crandall, who had a team-high 6.5 tackles in Ankeny's win over the Tigers at the UNI-Dome, scored 19 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a hard-fought win’: Hawks overcome Valley, Raridon for first victory

DOMEWARD BOUND!: Hawks throttle C.R. Prairie, will play Valley in semifinals

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On a windy night in Cedar Rapids, the Ankeny football team turned to its power running game to earn another trip to the UNI-Dome. Colin Kadolph rushed for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the second half, and the fifth-seeded Hawks dominated the final two quarters to defeat fourth-seeded Cedar Rapids Prairie, 37-7, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on … [Read more...] about DOMEWARD BOUND!: Hawks throttle C.R. Prairie, will play Valley in semifinals

‘I think we know who’s No. 1 now’: Ankeny shuts down Rams for 21-7 victory

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Former Ankeny football coach Brad Zelenovich has built a powerhouse program at Southeast Polk. But Zelenovich still hasn't figured out how to beat the Hawks. Sixth-ranked Ankeny turned in a dominant defensive performance to beat No. 1 Southeast Polk, 21-7, on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. Zelenovich, who coached the Hawks for two seasons before taking over … [Read more...] about ‘I think we know who’s No. 1 now’: Ankeny shuts down Rams for 21-7 victory

‘I think now we’ve got our bats going’: Hawks pound out 34 hits in sweep

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The Ankeny baseball team is starting to look like the top-ranked squad in Class 4A. The Hawks, who dropped from No. 1 to No. 8 in the rankings after splitting their first 10 games of the season, scored 29 runs on 34 hits while sweeping a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader against visiting Fort Dodge on Monday. They rolled to 14-4 and 15-2 victories--both … [Read more...] about ‘I think now we’ve got our bats going’: Hawks pound out 34 hits in sweep