The Ankeny girls’ track team showed off its many strengths in the Jim Duncan Invitational on Saturday at Drake Stadium.
Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial enjoyed a few highlights, too.
The Hawkettes won four events and had six other top-five finishes.
“Every meet we feel like we put another few pieces together,” said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. “We hit two more Blue Standards today (discus and 4×400 relay). But we have lots more work to do and improvement needed by state to get to where we think we can ultimately be.”
The Jaguars, meanwhile, had six top-six finishes on a cold day.
“Today was kind of emblematic of the season so far,” said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. “A lot of nice efforts, good focus from the girls, but the weather didn’t really let us shine as much as we could have. The cold and some tired legs from soccer (Friday) night kind of dulled what we hoped could have been some sharper performances. But all in all, I like what I see right now, and I think when we get some better conditions we’ll really pop a few things.”
Ankeny got a pair of victories from throwers Hannah Baier and Kendra Winfrey. Baier uncorked a personal-best throw of 129 feet 10 inches to win the discus by more than 22 feet, while Winfrey took the shot put by nearly a foot and a half with a toss of 39-10.75.
Winfrey also placed fourth in the discus with a heave of 104-6.
“Hannah continues to climb,” Cotter said. “I spoke with her toward the end of the meet about the number she is chasing by season’s end. It is a big number but I have no doubt she can get it. And Kendra continues to impress, too. She and Hannah will contend at Drake for titles.”
Morgan Johnson captured the 400 in a time of 1:02.70. The Hawkettes also won the sprint medley relay in 1:53.30.
“There’s been no sophomore slump for (Johnson),” Cotter said. “She has been one of our most consistent 400 runners in a group that is very deep for us this year. She’s racing very well and confidently.”
Johnson also helped Ankeny to a runner-up finish in the 4×400. The Hawkettes posted a time of 4:02.82, losing to Waukee Northwest by six-tenths of a second.
“We knew they had the potential all season–it was just a matter of executing,” Cotter said. “We finally broke through today in a big way. We feel confident this group will be in contention come late May.”
Centennial got a runner-up finish from Rondi Quass in the 1,500. She posted a time of 4:48.65.
“Rondi had a great day,” Kruzich said. “She’s had some challenges this year so far and hasn’t yet run what she’s wanted to, so when she really popped a good 800 leg and then ran a stellar 1,500, she was all smiles. She needed a day like this, and she deserved it, too.”
Ankeny’s Drew Beason placed third in that event. She was clocked in 4:49.41.
“Drew is a real competitor,” Cotter said. “She goes in with a goal and not only does she consistently beat that goal but really seems to have the ‘killer’ instinct.”
Lillian Smith took third for the Hawkettes in the 400 hurdles. She posted a time of 1:08.53.
“Lillian broke through today, and Gracie (Lindaman) paced her throughout the race before she clipped the final hurdle,” Cotter said. “These two will be two to watch as the weather continues to improve.”
Centennial’s Kylin Smith placed fourth in the event in 1:09.35. Fellow freshman Olivia Kroska was seventh in 1:10.50.
“Those two are fun to watch,” Kruzich said. “They ran the No. 1 and No. 2 400 hurdle times by freshmen in school history, and they’ve only run it once each before this. Kylin three-stepped all 10 hurdles for the first time ever, and Olivia ran our fastest 400 split of the day. They’ve both flashed a lot of potential, and good attitudes too.”
Ankeny’s Sophie Loeffler placed fifth in the 800 in a time of 2:22.80. Centennial’s Anika Mohrhauser was sixth in the 3,000 in 11:09.02.
The Hawkettes placed fourth in the distance medley relay in 4:35.68. They currently lead Class 4A in that event as well as the discus and shot put, and they’re ranked in the top five in the 800 and the 4×400 and 4×800 relays.
The Jaguars took fifth in the distance medley relay in 4:39.07. They finished sixth in both the 4×200 and shuttle hurdle relays.
“Our 4×800 and 4x400s ran season bests, and they have a chance to do some things by the end of the year,” Kruzich said. “We had two PRs in the 3,000. Our 4×100 and 4×200 are capable of good things, but didn’t quite click today. I think we’ll get there. With Drake qualifying ending after Thursday’s meet, we’re going to have to be ready to go this week. I think we will be.”
Both Ankeny and Centennial will compete in the Ames Invitational on Tuesday and the Jaguar Invitational on Thursday at Ankeny Stadium.
