At Ankeny High School (AHS) the athletics are next level. This is already a given as a 5A Central Iowa Metro League (CIML) school, but the Hawks take it to another level. From the extensive hall of fame with hundreds of athletes making first-third team All-State from 1966-present. To our many state titles, state runner-ups, and state championship participation. This standard is boosted even higher by the various college athletes who come out of Ankeny every year. From Division 1(D1), D2, D3, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and more. There is no shortage of next-level skills at Ankeny.
“It’s a huge blessing, I mean, to be able to have the opportunity to play at the next level. It’s just a dream,” senior Savannah Gage said.
Ankeny athletes are not even nervous about playing at the college level. There is nothing to be nervous about athletes reported due to the extensive prep done by AHS coaches.
“I’m not super nervous,” senior Allison Macke said. “I’m definitely just more excited.”
Staying home in Iowa for athletics is seemingly popular for Ankeny athletes, but many are reportedly leaving the state. The Hawks can be found in states such as Minnesota, South Dakota, Kansas, Alabama, Missouri, Nebraska, and more.
Reportedly many athletes had difficulty picking which program they wanted to pursue. With so many schools interested, weighing the pros and cons can be challenging. Senior Reagan Hanfelt states that Kansas State University was her second choice, but ¨Iowa State felt like home.¨
At Ankeny High, there are approximately 30 committed athletes in just the 2025 senior class. These athletes exude talent and hard work, but the dedicated coaching staff plays a special role in their success.
“Coach Mullen has prepared me both physically and mentally; he’s a great guy,” senior Sam Sandvig said.
The staff of all of the athletic departments at AHS are specially handpicked to be a guide and helping hand to the Ankeny High athletic stars.
A rare double commitment has occurred at AHS this year between safety, Sandvig and running back/wide receiver and senior Caden Henkes. Two outstanding Ankeny football players remain teammates at the D2 University of Sioux Falls. The two team captains and varsity starters put out outstanding years at AHS.
Over Henkes’s varsity years he has a total of 2092 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns with a mix of rushing and receiving. Henkes completed five games in his varsity career where he scored three touchdowns in each game. One of those was a passing hat trick to 2024 graduate Devon Akers.
Sandvig has a total of 128.5 tackles, many tackles being solo. He also completed two interceptions, one of those being completely one-handed as his arm was in a cast at the time.
“Having my teammate there makes me feel more comfortable in my next journey, knowing I have someone in the same position as me,” Henkes said.
There are also some speed demons at AHS. Both track and field and cross country are big winners here. AHS has four seniors committed to running, Three of those committed to D1 programs, and two of those going for both track and cross country.
“Through all of my year-round training I will keep my studies a top priority,” senior Drew Beason said.
Juggling both school and athletics is a common theme at AHS. The majority of athletes also being AP students, luckily there is aid available to them, and there are great resources available, such as the SOS center for private tutoring. The faculty and administration at AHS are very understanding and even supportive of the activities in which AHS students participate.
“My coach John Lindaman looked at running the same way I did, an opportunity to compete and most importantly win!” Zuber exclaimed.
The athletes at AHS seemingly go above and beyond when it comes to any aspect of their future careers. No matter if that is in academics, training, athletic performance, or anything else that may come along with it.
They will soar like Hawks, the Hawks they will always remain.
