Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Steve Smith

Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith

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There is no shortage of players on the Ankeny girls' tennis team. New head coach Steve Smith said he currently has about 100 girls on the preseason roster. "But from my understanding from past years, that could end up being anywhere between 50 and 90 girls that participate once practices start," Smith said. "So I guess we'll find out next … [Read more...] about Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith

Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Smith to replace girls’ coach Owens

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The timing was just right for Ankeny girls' tennis coach Katie Owens to step down from her position. It was also the perfect time for Ankeny boys' coach Steve Smith to replace her. Smith has been named the successor to Owens, who coached the Hawkettes from 2014-20. He will now get an opportunity to coach his daughter, Kira, who is currently an eighth … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Smith to replace girls’ coach Owens

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team

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The Ankeny boys' tennis program dates back to the early 1970s. The biggest highlight for the Hawks over the last 50 years came nearly two decades ago. In 2003, head coach Dennis Hoefle guided Ankeny to the best season in school history. The Hawks advanced to the state team tournament for the first time ever and went on to capture the Class 2A … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis

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Senior Cade Davis is the top returning player for the Ankeny boys' tennis team. The Wartburg recruit was the squad's No. 1 singles player as a junior, helping the Hawks to a 3-9 record. Davis was also a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks captured the Class 4A state title last month. Here is some inside info on Davis: We've had … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis

‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

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Ashley Harrington found out during her spring break trip to the Dominican Republic that her final soccer season at Ankeny High School could be in jeopardy. "I didn't truly realize this pandemic could affect the season until I got an email from (coach) Simon (Brown) regarding the IGHSAU restrictions," Harrington said. "I'm not currently in the U.S. so I … [Read more...] about ‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

Hawks place 3rd at district tourney, then fall to Johnston in substate match

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The season came to an end on Saturday for the Ankeny boys' tennis team, but not before the Hawks put up a good fight. Ankeny dropped a 5-1 decision at Johnston in a preliminary substate match. The Hawks finished with a 3-9 record. The Dragons (8-3), who advanced to a Class 2A substate team tournament on May 18 at Valley, had posted an 11-0 victory over … [Read more...] about Hawks place 3rd at district tourney, then fall to Johnston in substate match

Future shines bright as Hawks honor seniors on their night

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The Ankeny boys' tennis team celebrated its Senior Night on Thursday with an 11-0 victory at Des Moines Hoover. The Hawks raised their overall record to 3-8. "Coach Feve and I wanted to give a special recognition to our two amazing seniors—Jake McCann and Cameron Bush—for all of their hard work, contributions to the team and positive impact they’ve had on … [Read more...] about Future shines bright as Hawks honor seniors on their night

Hawks fall to Johnston, but will see Dragons again at district tourney

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The Ankeny boys' tennis team got another chance to see CIML rival Johnston on Wednesday. The visiting Dragons posted an 11-0 victory in a Central Conference dual meet, but the two teams could see each other again in a Class 2A district tournament on May 8 at Johnston. "Johnston has a great team, and they played great across the board," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks fall to Johnston, but will see Dragons again at district tourney

Jaguars top Ankeny boys, clinch share of Central Conference crown

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team continued its winning ways on Monday. This time, it came at the expense of its crosstown rival. The Jaguars clinched at least a share of the CIML Central Conference title with a 10-1 victory over Ankeny. They improved to 4-0 in the league and 9-1 overall, while the Hawks' records dropped to 1-3 and 2-7. "It … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Ankeny boys, clinch share of Central Conference crown

Ankeny boys continue strong doubles play in 9-2 loss to Marshalltown

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While the Ankeny boys' tennis team has made tremendous strides in doubles, the Hawks have not made similar improvement in singles. Ankeny won two of the five doubles matches against visiting Marshalltown on Tuesday after being swept in singles, resulting in a 9-2 loss that dropped the Hawks' overall record to 2-6. "We had great doubles play," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys continue strong doubles play in 9-2 loss to Marshalltown

Jaguars finish 4th at Hoefle Invitational; Hawks tie for 6th place

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The weather was perfect Friday for the annual Dennis Hoefle Invitational at the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. First-year Ankeny boys' tennis coach Steve Smith relished the chance to coach in the tournament for the first time. "I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to host a tournament named in honor of Coach Hoefle, who was a mentor and friend … [Read more...] about Jaguars finish 4th at Hoefle Invitational; Hawks tie for 6th place

Ankeny boys earn some moral victories in 10-1 loss to Little Cyclones

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Even though the Ankeny boys' tennis team dropped a 10-1 decision to visiting Ames on Thursday, the Hawks came away from the dual meet with some moral victories. Cade Davis managed to win a game against Timmy Ellis in the No. 1 singles match. Ellis is the defending Class 2A state singles champion. At the No. 2 position, Luke Parkinson put up a strong … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys earn some moral victories in 10-1 loss to Little Cyclones

Ankeny boys come up two points short of defeating Roughriders

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An amazing comeback by Ankeny's No. 1 doubles team wasn't enough to prevent the Des Moines Roosevelt boys' tennis team from posting a 6-5 victory at the Waveland courts on Tuesday. The Roughriders (3-1) prevailed despite losing four of the five matches that went to a decisive third set. "I was really happy with how we played," said Ankeny coach Steve … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys come up two points short of defeating Roughriders

Ankeny boys win the close matches, post 8-3 victory over J-Hawks

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The Ankeny boys' tennis team has been struggling to win the close matches in its recent meets. On Monday, the Hawks found a way to get over the hump and posted an 8-3 victory at Urbandale. They improved their records to 1-1 in the CIML Central Conference and 2-3 overall. "We lost our last two meets primarily due to tiebreakers and doubles," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys win the close matches, post 8-3 victory over J-Hawks

Norwalk boys rally from early deficit to post 7-4 victory over Hawks

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The Ankeny boys' tennis team got off to a good start on Tuesday, building a 3-1 lead over visiting Norwalk during singles play. After a rain delay, the momentum changed at the Prairie Ridge courts. Norwalk won the final two singles matches to tie the dual meet at 3-3, then captured four of the five doubles matches to post a 7-4 victory over the … [Read more...] about Norwalk boys rally from early deficit to post 7-4 victory over Hawks

McCann, Ferree both win twice in Hawks’ 7-4 loss to Dowling Catholic

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The Ankeny boys' tennis team got two wins apiece from Jake McCann and Ian Ferree, but it wasn't enough as the Hawks dropped a 7-4 decision at Dowling Catholic in their CIML Central Conference opener on Thursday. The Maroons won four of the six singles matches and three of the five doubles contests. Both teams were without three of their varsity … [Read more...] about McCann, Ferree both win twice in Hawks’ 7-4 loss to Dowling Catholic

After falling to Valley, Hawks show perseverance in win over Ottumwa

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The Ankeny boys' tennis team will take a 1-1 record into Thursday's dual meet at Dowling Catholic. The Hawks opened their season on Tuesday by splitting a pair of matches at Ottumwa. They dropped a 9-2 decision to Valley before posting a 10-1 victory over the host Bulldogs. “Coach Feve and I saw our team really come together and grow in this dual … [Read more...] about After falling to Valley, Hawks show perseverance in win over Ottumwa

Despite lack of experience, Smith excited about future of Hawks’ tennis program

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The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' tennis team isn't concerned about the Hawks' lack of experience. But he is pretty excited about his players' enthusiasm. "We can tell the team is really enjoying playing tennis right now," said Steve Smith, who took over the program following Randy Daniels' retirement. "We’ve seen several players on the courts on … [Read more...] about Despite lack of experience, Smith excited about future of Hawks’ tennis program

Petersen to coach Centennial girls’ golf; Smith takes over Ankeny boys’ tennis program

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John Petersen always thought he'd be a head golf coach someday. Steve Smith never thought he'd pursue a high school coaching position. Now, both of them are getting ready to tackle new challenges this spring. Petersen, the former Ankeny boys' basketball and assistant boys' tennis coach, has taken over the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf program. He … [Read more...] about Petersen to coach Centennial girls’ golf; Smith takes over Ankeny boys’ tennis program