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
Thomas Cotter
‘We basically ignored team scores’: Jags, Hawkettes focus on Drake qualifying
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
Ankeny, Centennial teams combine for 8 victories at Jim Duncan Invitational
All four of the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial track teams came away with victories in the Jim Duncan Invitational on Saturday at Drake Stadium. The Ankeny girls' and Centennial boys' squads each won three events. The Ankeny boys' and Centennial girls' teams each had one first-place finish. Many of the athletes will be back at Drake Stadium on April 22 … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial teams combine for 8 victories at Jim Duncan Invitational
Short-handed Hawkettes rely on their depth to win Hi Covey Relays crown
The Ankeny girls' track team was missing a few of its multi-sport athletes on Tuesday night as the girls' soccer squad opened its season at Iowa City West. Still, the Hawkettes had enough firepower to win the Hi Covey Relays at Ames. "We were limited with soccer starting up, and we were short a few key pieces," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. "It was … [Read more...] about Short-handed Hawkettes rely on their depth to win Hi Covey Relays crown
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ella Kuper, Ankeny girls’ track
Junior Ella Kuper is a member of the Ankeny girls' track team. "Ella filled in several events for us at the Waukee Earlybird meet (on March 26) due to schedule conflicts with other kids," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. "She did a great job and held her own against some tough competition. She’s a great leader for us." The Hawkettes will compete in … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ella Kuper, Ankeny girls’ track
McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown
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
‘The wind was relentless’: Hawkettes perform well despite tough conditions
The Ankeny girls' track team won a couple of individual events at the Waukee Invitational on Tuesday, even though the Hawkettes didn't score any points for those efforts. The 13-team meet featured an unusual format. Only the relay events were scored. Waukee won five of the seven relays and easily captured the team title with 66 points. Ames was second … [Read more...] about ‘The wind was relentless’: Hawkettes perform well despite tough conditions
Ankeny’s McMahon, Baier post victories at Waukee Earlybird meet
It was a "fantastic night" for the Ankeny girls' track team. Those were the words of head coach Thomas Cotter after the Hawkettes won two events and had many other top-three finishes in the Waukee Earlybird meet on Friday. "Our execution was at a high level for this early in the season," Cotter said. "Tonight was about getting some times on a few more … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s McMahon, Baier post victories at Waukee Earlybird meet
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 129
Girls' track coaches Andrew Kruzich of Ankeny Centennial and Thomas Cotter of Ankeny join Coldwell Banker Mid-America realtor Andy Logan as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 129
Hawkettes boast talented group of sprinters, seek top-10 finish at state
Two years ago, the Ankeny girls' track team tied for 12th place in the Class 4A state meet--its highest finish since 2013. Most of the state qualifiers from that squad are still on the Hawkettes' roster, even after losing the majority of the 2020 season to the COVID-19 pandemic. "It has been a year since we got to roll up our sleeves with these kids," … [Read more...] about Hawkettes boast talented group of sprinters, seek top-10 finish at state
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
Centennial girls capture regional crown; Ankeny edges Ames for 2nd place
Ankeny Centennial girls' track coach Andrew Kruzich was proud of his team's victory in Friday's Class 4A regional meet at Fort Dodge. But he was also delighted about Ankeny's performance. "I couldn't be prouder of our town," said Kruzich. "Ankeny was neck-and-neck with us the whole way. They really had a great meet." Centennial captured the team … [Read more...] about Centennial girls capture regional crown; Ankeny edges Ames for 2nd place
Scoring error gets corrected; Hawkettes, Jaguars finish in 3rd-place tie
There isn't much separation between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams. The two rivals have taken turns defeating each other this season, and on Thursday the Hawkettes and Jaguars battled down to the wire for third place in the CIML Central Conference meet at Ankeny. In the final event of the night, Ankeny placed fourth in the 4x400 … [Read more...] about Scoring error gets corrected; Hawkettes, Jaguars finish in 3rd-place tie
‘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
Hawkettes, Jaguars get final tune-up for Drake Relays
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams each had one final tune-up on Monday to help prepare for this week's Drake Relays. The Hawkettes placed second among eight teams in the Bobcat Invitational at Marshalltown. They scored 117 points and finished 48 points behind Waukee, which won the team title for the fourth straight year. "It was a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars get final tune-up for Drake Relays
Hawkettes, Jaguars perform well at prestigious Kansas Relays
A trip to the Kansas Relays proved to be beneficial for both the Ankeny girls' and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams. Mytika Mayberry placed fourth for the Hawkettes in the girls' 100. She posted a time of 12.12 seconds, which now ranks third in the state. "Mytika did an outstanding job and is improving every race," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars perform well at prestigious Kansas Relays
Hawkettes, Jaguars ignore team race at Duea Invite, focus on specific events
The Ankeny girls' track team turned in some strong performances in the Jim Duea Invitational on Tuesday at Ames. And so did Ankeny Centennial. Neither squad focused much on the team standings. The Hawkettes placed fifth in the eight-team field with 75 points, while the Jaguars finished seventh with 64. "It was a good meet," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars ignore team race at Duea Invite, focus on specific events
Collins, Jacavino and Petersen set school records at Blue Oval Invitational
Ankeny Centennial's James Jacavino and Katie Petersen both broke their own school records during the Blue Oval Invitational on Saturday at Drake Stadium. Thomas Collins set another school record in the boys' 400, breaking the mark that teammate Liam Murphy established just one week ago. "It was a good day for most of our guys," said Centennial boys' … [Read more...] about Collins, Jacavino and Petersen set school records at Blue Oval Invitational
Hawkettes get wins from Sidney, 4×1 and 4×2 relays at Ames
Tuesday's Hi Covey Relays in Ames provided an opportunity for the Ankeny girls' track athletes to test themselves. The Hawkettes placed fourth in the eight-team field with 118.5 points. They finished behind three of the top teams in Class 4A. Southeast Polk won the meet with 163 points. Cedar Falls was second with 143.5, edging the host Little Cyclones … [Read more...] about Hawkettes get wins from Sidney, 4×1 and 4×2 relays at Ames
S.E. Polk edges Jaguars to win Hawkette Invite, with help from Ankeny’s 4×400
The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team took a two-point lead into the final event of the Hawkette Invitational on Thursday at Ankeny High School. Its crosstown rival prevented the Jaguars from earning a share of the team crown. Southeast Polk easily won the final event, the 4x400 relay, in a time of 4:02.63. That allowed the Rams to claim the team … [Read more...] about S.E. Polk edges Jaguars to win Hawkette Invite, with help from Ankeny’s 4×400