Ankeny Fanatic

11/02/2026

Publisher Dan Holm of Ankeny Fanatic answers a few questions in his breakdown of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament: Courtesy of MJ Properties

11/02/2026

"One of our messages to the girls all week was that state was another race to show up and be themselves; that they were battle-tested all season long, and had raced strong and consistent every time. So, they didn't need anything special at state, just stay true to themselves and run their race plans to the best of their ability on that day": Courtesy of MJ Properties

11/02/2026

"The last 1k didn't go how he wanted, but to have a chance at an all-state finish, he put himself exactly where he needed to. And what a great year he had! He was so coachable, so steady, and so good all season long. The coaches are just so proud of this kid and his entire season": Courtesy of MJ Properties

‘Gus went for it’: Ankeny soph Brown starts fast, finishes 31st in his state meet debut November 2, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny sophomore Gus Brown races to a 31st-place finish in the boys’ Class 4A state cross country meet on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. He posted a time of 16 ...

11/01/2026

"The plan was for the guys to execute their race, and they did. They did a great job of staying mentally tough. We knew if we ran our race, we had a shot for that fourth-place finish. It really did come down to our Nos. 3, 4 and 5 guys stepping up, and Noah beating that Waukee kid at the very end": Courtesy of MJ Properties

11/01/2026

"My goal for the meet was to try to go sub-19 (minutes). But ultimately, I just wanted to run my race and compete to the best of my ability. I never really thought about my place. I just wanted to improve from the last time I ran this course": Courtesy of MJ Properties

Wise closes out her Ankeny cross country career as Heim shows off bright future November 1, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny’s Mia Heim and Vanessa Wise take off at the start of the girls’ Class 4A state cross country meet on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. (Photo courtesy of Ross Schucha...

10/31/2026

"We showed flashes tonight of being really good, but then that kick return kind of threw us for a loop. Special teams were not good for us tonight, and we have to get better. Usually you don't get a blocked extra point, give up a kickoff return and give up an onside kick and still win": Courtesy of MJ Properties

Goode, Tate lead Hawks past Waukee in opening round of Class 5A playoffs, 43-37 October 31, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny’s Devan Goode runs for one of his three touchdowns during Friday’s game against visiting Waukee. Goode ran 21 times for a season-high 152 yards to help the Hawks to a 43-37 victory...

10/31/2026

Hawks hold off Waukee in playoff opener

10/31/2026

The Ankeny Christian Academy boys' cross country team places third in the Class 1A state meet for the second straight year: Courtesy of MJ Properties

Eagles lead through first 2 miles, finish 3rd in Class 1A state meet for 2nd year in row October 31, 2026 by Dan Holm The Ankeny Christian Academy boys’ cross country team placed third in the Class 1A state meet on Friday morning at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. The Eagles scored 129 points,...

10/30/2026

“It’s so exciting, especially coming back from last year. We knew we weren’t done, and we’re so excited for the week ahead. Whatever happens will happen, and we just want to give God all the glory for everything”: Courtesy of MJ Properties

‘We’ve just come so far since last year’: Eagles sweep Stanton, will return to state October 30, 2026 by Dan Holm Ankeny Christian Academy’s Havanna Dolbeare (left) hugs Avlyn Davis after the Eagles posted a 25-16, 25-14, 25-8 victory over Stanton in a Class 1A regional final on Wednesday at...

10/29/2026

“We brought in a ton of energy. We knew they were going to be very energetic, but our communication was on point, we stuck to our goals and got it done”: Courtesy of MJ Properties

‘We knew we’d be back’: Ankeny girls qualify for state for 9th consecutive year October 29, 2026 by Dan Holm The Ankeny players celebrate after scoring the final point of Tuesday’s match against visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy. The Hawkettes posted a 25-7, 25-19, 25-23 victory in a Class 5A re...