Celebrate Excellence: Honoring Des Moines' Top High School Athletes
A Week of Athletic Triumphs Across Multiple Sports
The final week of May 2026 was packed with significant sporting events for high school boys. State championships were held for golf in various classes, and both singles and doubles tennis tournaments reached their climaxes. Furthermore, the brackets for the state boys' soccer tournament were finalized, and local baseball teams engaged in intense matchups, contributing to a vibrant athletic landscape.
Recognizing Outstanding Individual Achievements
During this bustling period, several high school male athletes from the Des Moines area delivered exceptional performances. Their skill and effort were evident across the different sporting disciplines, earning them nominations for weekly honors.
Tate Duax Leads Ankeny Centennial to Soccer Victory
Tate Duax, a forward for Ankeny Centennial, was instrumental in his team's dominant 8-0 win against Waterloo West in the Class 4A substate finals on May 29th. Duax was directly involved in five of his team's goals, achieving a hat-trick with three goals and providing two assists, showcasing his offensive prowess.
Myles Matzen's Impressive Golf Performance for North Polk
Myles Matzen, a freshman from North Polk, contributed to his team's third-place finish at the Class 3A boys' state golf meet. Held on May 26-27 at Gates Park Golf Course, Matzen's score of 7-over 151 across 36 holes secured him a tie for 12th place individually, a notable achievement for a young athlete.
Kasongo Lunganga Propels Des Moines Roosevelt to State Soccer
Kasongo Lunganga played a crucial role in Des Moines Roosevelt's 2-0 triumph over Dowling Catholic in the 4A Substate 7 final on May 29th. Lunganga scored one of the two goals, helping his team secure their spot in the state tournament.
Luke Jordan Dominates on the Baseball Mound for Grand View Christian
Luke Jordan delivered a powerful pitching performance for Grand View Christian's baseball team in their 5-1 victory over Prairie City-Monroe on May 29th. Jordan pitched a complete game, allowing only one unearned run on three hits, while striking out 13 batters and issuing just two walks, demonstrating his control and effectiveness.
Ethan Kanne's Hat-Trick Secures State Berth for Indianola Soccer
Ethan Kanne's stellar play was key to Indianola boys' soccer team advancing to the state tournament. In their 5-0 win against Lewis Central in the 3A Substate 8 final, Kanne netted three goals, achieving a hat-trick and ensuring his team's progression.
