Ankeny Fanatic

A reception was held on Friday for departing Ankeny boys' track coach Jordan Mullen, who gathered at the high school with many of the top athletes he coached. All of the boys on the track record board from the last four years were there with the exception of Logan Fairchild. All of the boys' individual running events except the 400 hurdles and all of the relays set new school records in the last three years under Mullen. Ankeny's top 10 cross country leaders since 2022 are also shown in the group photo along with coach Jon Lindaman. (Photos courtesy of Jason Belding)

Senior Ryan Buffington of the Ankeny baseball team, who has racked up 24 strikeouts in his last two starts, is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week: Courtesy of MJ Properties

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Buffington, Ankeny baseball Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Buffington, Ankeny baseball July 6, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny’s Ryan Buffington throws a pitch during the second game of a doubleheader against visiting Ankeny Centennial on June 24. He allowed no earned runs on just two hits and racked up 12 strikeouts over the...

Postseason play begins this week

"I'm excited for next year when these girls will get to play on the turf. It'll be a great upgrade for them. It is sad that it's our last game on here. It's pretty bittersweet considering the fact that I've been here for five years": Courtesy of MJ Properties

‘It was great to get some bats on her’: Hawkettes score 3 runs vs. NW’s Schlader ‘It was great to get some bats on her’: Hawkettes score 3 runs vs. NW’s Schlader July 2, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny players (from left) Zoe Sullivan, Morgan Fisher and Adriana Wylie collect some dirt from the infield following Wednesday’s game against visiting Waukee Northwest. The Hawkettes dr...

"We got all the seniors in for some action. They're a good group of kids. I know their record isn't what they'd like it to be, but they work hard and do what I ask them to do": Courtesy of MJ Properties

‘We dropped a tough one’: Wolves’ 4-run 7th inning ends Ankeny’s winning streak ‘We dropped a tough one’: Wolves’ 4-run 7th inning ends Ankeny’s winning streak July 2, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny third baseman Austin Hans celebrates after putting a tag on a Waukee Northwest runner for an out during Wednesday’s game at Ankeny. The Wolves scored four runs in the seventh inn...

"They took advantage of a few of our mistakes early in the game, and then when they gave us an opportunity to take advantage of one of their (mistakes), we found a way to do that in what was really a well-played game by both teams": Courtesy of MJ Properties

‘This team just never gives up’: Jaguars stun Dowling girls with miraculous rally ‘This team just never gives up’: Jaguars stun Dowling girls with miraculous rally July 2, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny Centennial’s Ava Faber rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer during Wednesday’s game against visiting Dowling Catholic. Faber later hit a two-out single in the seventh i...

"When it's hot like this, it's harder to pitch. But (Starr) just kind of grinded it out and threw a great game. Sometimes seniors really step up as their last season comes down to the end, and he's certainly doing that": Courtesy of MJ Properties

Starr shines on mound, at the plate in Jaguars’ 6-2 win over Dowling Catholic Starr shines on mound, at the plate in Jaguars’ 6-2 win over Dowling Catholic July 2, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny Centennial’s Eli Starr hits a two-run single during the Jaguars’ five-run fourth inning in Wednesday’s game against visiting Dowling Catholic. Starr went 2-for-3 and had three RBIs a...

“It’s something we have to get turned around before the postseason”: Courtesy of MJ Properties

‘That’s haunted us all year’: Jags tumble to Fort Dodge as hitting woes continue ‘That’s haunted us all year’: Jags tumble to Fort Dodge as hitting woes continue July 1, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny Centennial’s Colton Arndt throws a pitch during a game against visiting Waukee on May 27. Arndt got the start in Tuesday’s game against visiting Fort Dodge and took the loss as ...

"It was just a really good team win. We played excellent team defense, and it was another game where we had double digit hits and some really clutch hits with two outs": Courtesy of MJ Properties

Minner, Hawks beat Dowling Catholic again, extend winning streak to 5 games Minner, Hawks beat Dowling Catholic again, extend winning streak to 5 games July 1, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny’s Hunter Minner throws a pitch during a game at Ankeny Centennial on June 1. Minner allowed just one earned run on five hits over 6 2/3 innings to lead the Hawks to a 6-1 victory at Dowling ...