The members of the Ankeny girls’ track team were just happy to compete on Tuesday.
Winning the Waukee Invitational was a bonus.
The Hawkettes scored 48 points to capture the seven-team meet, edging Norwalk and Waukee by three points. Only the seven relay events were scored.
“We were very happy to get a meet in with the forecast looking unfavorable the rest of the week,” said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. “The team showed a lot of grit and came out with a team win without a full squad, so that was very impressive and speaks to the nice depth we are seeing emerge. This is going to be a fun group to see compete at big time meets.”
Ankeny won the sprint medley relay with a time of 1:55.38. That team consisted of Larissa Miller, Macie Strnad, Karsen Jacks and Gracie Lindaman.
The Hawkettes also took the shuttle hurdle relay. The foursome of Reagan Hanfelt, Isabel Crabbs, Chloe Hammond and Madeline Poock was clocked in 1:11.89.
Hanfelt also won the high jump, clearing the bar at 5 feet. Ava Leinen had a leap of 16-0 to place third in the long jump.
Hannah Baier took the discus with a toss of 117-8, while Kendra Winfrey won the shot put with a throw of 41-0.
“Our throwers continue to impress,” Cotter said. “They are a confident bunch and they should be. Baier added a few feet to her season best, and for Kendra to be throwing in the 40s this consistently this early in the season is a great sign of things to come. Ja’Dein Madison also threw 35 feet (to place fourth) in the shot put. I am confident her progress will snowball.”
Drew Beason provided Ankeny’s other victory in the 3,000. She posted a time of 10:48.04.
“The success on the cross country course is carrying over into track as well for Drew,” Cotter said. “She ran a very smart, tactical race to win the event and currently has a top-15 time in the state.”
Zoe Shadravan was the runner-up in the 400. She turned in a time of 1:01.87.
“The lightbulb seems to have clicked for Zoe,” Cotter said. “She has really learned how to attack the race and finished very strong.”
Eva Fulk placed third in the 200 in 27.64. Lillian Smith was third in the 400 hurdles in 1:10.70.
“We know have two girls in the top 12 in all classes in the 400 hurdles with Lillian and Gracie (Lindaman), who came back and ran a very strong 1:12.33 (for fifth place) after a 400 earlier in the evening where she split a 1:00 on the anchor leg of the sprint medley.”