Ankeny Fanatic

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Spencer Anderson

Ex-Ankeny wrestler Anderson forced to end career due to multiple concussions

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Spencer Anderson has been wrestling and playing soccer for most of his life. When Anderson graduated from Ankeny High School in 2018, he elected to attend Simpson College in Indianola, where he would focus on just one sport--wrestling. Now, Anderson has been forced to give up that sport as well. After suffering multiple concussions over the last … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny wrestler Anderson forced to end career due to multiple concussions

A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT

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Perhaps nobody had a bigger smile on his face Saturday than Dayne Kajewski. The injured senior on the Ankeny boys' soccer team carried the Class 3A third-place trophy after the sixth-ranked Hawks outlasted No. 5 Iowa City West, 4-3, in double overtime to win the consolation final at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. "I think I've been the loudest … [Read more...] about A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT

Coach’s halftime rant ignites Hawks past Roosevelt for state tourney berth

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Spencer Anderson called it one of the best speeches he has ever heard. The head coach of the Ankeny boys' soccer team, Jordan Burns, had trouble remembering what he said during halftime of the Hawks' showdown against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt on Saturday. "Sometimes I like to rant, and I get caught up in the moment," Burns said after his team … [Read more...] about Coach’s halftime rant ignites Hawks past Roosevelt for state tourney berth

Gaspari, Hawks celebrate 3rd straight victory over Ankeny Centennial

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An excessive celebration resulted in a yellow card on Wednesday for Ankeny senior Peter Gaspari. He happily walked off the field at Ankeny High School and was mobbed by his boys' soccer teammates. Gaspari scored a goal with about 4 minutes left in the game to seal the seventh-ranked Hawks' 2-0 victory over No. 3 Ankeny Centennial. It was their third … [Read more...] about Gaspari, Hawks celebrate 3rd straight victory over Ankeny Centennial

Hawks, Jaguars look to control their emotions in rivalry game

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The rivarly game between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer teams has always been an emotional one. This year's showdown features another layer of intrigue. Centennial coach Brian Duax will be facing his former players for the first time when the two teams collide on Tuesday at Ankeny at 7:30 p.m. "Controlling emotions (will be the key)," … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars look to control their emotions in rivalry game

Hawks top Lincoln, extend winning streak to 7 games

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The Ankeny boys' soccer team extended its winning streak to seven games with a 2-1 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln on Friday. The sixth-ranked Hawks built a 2-0 lead and then held on for the win, raising their record to 7-1. No. 12 Lincoln dropped to 1-2-1. "It wasn't pretty by any stretch. We made it difficult for ourselves," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks top Lincoln, extend winning streak to 7 games

Raineri, Pritchard lead Hawks past Dowling Catholic

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The Ankeny boys' soccer team didn't panic when Dowling Catholic built a 2-0 lead in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The sixth-ranked Hawks got two goals apiece from Kolby Raineri and Charlie Pritchard and rallied for a 4-2 road victory, their fifth in a row. Ankeny improved its record to 5-1 on the season, while Dowling dropped to 0-2. "Patience and … [Read more...] about Raineri, Pritchard lead Hawks past Dowling Catholic

Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title

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On Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena, Caleb Rathjen was 2 minutes away from winning his first state wrestling title. Now, the Ankeny freshman will have to wait 365 days to get another shot at winning a crown. Valley's top-ranked Nick Oldham rallied in the third period to beat the second-ranked Rathjen, 10-8, in the Class 3A championship match at 113 … [Read more...] about Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title

Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks

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Ankeny senior Spencer Anderson closed out his wrestling career in style. Ankeny Centennial sophomore Logan Neils showed that his career is just beginning to blossom. Neils earned a fourth-place finish at 160 pounds in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Anderson finished seventh at 132 with a 9-7 decision over 10th-ranked … [Read more...] about Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks

Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals

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  Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe share at least one trait in common. They both look comfortable on Iowa's biggest wrestling stage. The duo posted dominating wins on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena to advance to Saturday's championship matches in the Class 3A state tournament. "It feels great. It's an awesome … [Read more...] about Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals

Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals

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Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe are both headed to the Class 3A semifinals of the state wrestling tournament on Friday night. The second-ranked Rathjen pinned No. 7 Jakey Penrith of Cedar Falls in 3 minutes 11 seconds in a quarterfinal match at 113 pounds on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. The freshman won for the 19th time … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals

Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson advance to Friday’s quarterfinals

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall didn't want to spend too much time on the mat on Thursday afternoon. Thanks to strong performances by Caleb Rathjen and Spencer Anderson, he didn't have to. Both of Ankeny's state qualifiers won their first-round matches in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, allowing Wignall to spend the rest of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson advance to Friday’s quarterfinals

Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state

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Ankeny Centennial's eight state wrestling qualifiers aren't content with just making it to Wells Fargo Arena. Neither are the two qualifiers from Ankeny High School. "We're happy that we qualified, but we're not satisfied," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, whose team advanced the most wrestlers in the five-year history of the school. "We want to get up … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state

Ankeny’s Caleb Rathjen, Spencer Anderson capture district titles, punch ticket to state

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After being placed in a tough district, Ankeny advanced only two wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Caleb Rathjen at 113 pounds and Spencer Anderson at 132 each won an individual title for the Hawks, who placed fourth among the eight teams in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Waukee. They finished with 171.5 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Caleb Rathjen, Spencer Anderson capture district titles, punch ticket to state

Centennial edges Hawks in heated rematch at Dave Ewing Duals

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The emotions ran high during the Dave Ewing Duals on Saturday at Ankeny High School. The host Hawks collided with crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial for the second time in three days--this time in the fourth round of the eight-team tournament. The rematch of the Jaguars' 43-25 victory on Thursday nearly ended with a brawl. Ankeny's Spencer Anderson … [Read more...] about Centennial edges Hawks in heated rematch at Dave Ewing Duals

‘Rivalry Week’ continues: A closer look at Thursday’s Ankeny vs. Centennial dual

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Saturday's Bob Sharp Invitational wrestling tournament was just the beginning of what Colin Honderd calls "Rivalry Week". The fifth-ranked Honderd won an individual title at 182 pounds to help Ankeny Centennial to the team crown for the fourth straight year. The Jaguars finished with 217.5 points, while host Ankeny placed third in the 10-team field with … [Read more...] about ‘Rivalry Week’ continues: A closer look at Thursday’s Ankeny vs. Centennial dual

Jaguars capture 4th straight Bob Sharp title; Ankeny’s Anderson upsets Centennial’s Monroe

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers are beginning to feel right at home in their crosstown rival's gym. The Jaguars visited Ankeny on Saturday for the Bob Sharp Invitational and came away with the team title for the fourth straight year. They racked up 217.5 points in the 10-team tournament. "It's awesome. I'm pretty happy," said Centennial coach Jay … [Read more...] about Jaguars capture 4th straight Bob Sharp title; Ankeny’s Anderson upsets Centennial’s Monroe

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Spencer Anderson, Ankeny wrestling

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Spencer Anderson is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior has compiled a 15-7 record at 132 pounds for the Ankeny wrestling team. Anderson placed third in the Rollin Dyer Invitational on Saturday at Atlantic, helping the Hawks to the team title. He will celebrate his 18th birthday on Jan. 16. Here is some … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Spencer Anderson, Ankeny wrestling

Hawk wrestlers off to 5-4 start, will host No. 5 Valley Thursday

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is anxious to get the second half of the season under way. The Hawks, who will host fifth-ranked Valley on Thursday, finished 2017 with a 5-4 dual-meet record. Three of their four losses came to opponents ranked in the top five of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association dual team rankings. "We were ready for a break," … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers off to 5-4 start, will host No. 5 Valley Thursday