David Ortiz left a big impression on everybody who crossed his path during a 20-year career in the major leagues. Two former Ankeny baseball stars, Benj Sampson and Todd Sears, were among the players who had a chance to play with one of the game's all-time greats. Sampson was elated when Ortiz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame last week in his … [Read more...] about Ex-Minnesota Twins Sampson, Sears thrilled by Ortiz’s election to Hall of Fame
Todd Sears
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny baseball team (1st team)
Nobody has been more associated with the Ankeny baseball program than Mel Murken. Murken coached the Hawks for 32 years and racked up 620 victories at the school. He's a member of the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 1992, Murken guided Ankeny to the first state championship in school history. Two of the stars on that … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny baseball team (1st team)
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ basketball team
It's been more than a month since the Ankeny boys' basketball team capped off an amazing postseason run by winning the Class 4A state title at Wells Fargo Arena. Man, I miss sports. The Hawks' 78-70 victory over Waukee in the championship game was played before a sparse crowd because both schools were limited to just 100 fans due to concern over spread … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ basketball team
Ryan Sears joins his brother in Iowa Basketball Hall of Fame
When Ryan Sears was promoted to the Ankeny boys' varsity basketball team as a freshman, his older brother Todd was the Hawks' star player. "I still remember the one game where we combined for 45 points," said Ryan. "And I had two of them." Ryan eventually joined his brother as an all-state player, helping Ankeny to three consecutive state tournament … [Read more...] about Ryan Sears joins his brother in Iowa Basketball Hall of Fame