The Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf team posted its best score of the season Wednesday during a triangular meet at Briarwood Golf Club.
The 15th-ranked Jaguars shot a 303 on their home course, topping their previous best by three strokes. They lost to No. 9 Valley, which shot a 295, but easily defeated Urbandale, which finished with a 365.
“I am very proud of the guys and the progress they are making,” said Centennial coach Andrew Reedy, whose team finished with a 3-5 record in the CIML Conference. “We talk a lot about belief and believing that we can reach our goals, mainly the goal of advancing to the state tournament. Today’s score will go a long way toward getting the guys to believe.”
Centennial was led by Charlie Morrissey, who carded a career-best round of 2-under-par 70. He lost a cardoff to Valley’s Braeden Nelson for medalist honors.
Nelson made a birdie on the par-5, No. 3 hole to break the tie.
“Our goal of shooting under 300 was well within reach today,” Reedy said. “A couple of mistakes down the stretch that resulted in some big numbers cost us. We have some guys that are just waiting for their breakout. Charlie got his today, and I am so happy for him! He works hard, is attentive and is just a great kid. It was fun to see the payoff for him. I also believe this is just the beginning for him.”
Nathan Boehlert fired a 75 for the Jaguars. He placed fourth overall.
Tate Logan had a 78, while Zach Hoffman shot an 80 for the team’s fourth scoring round.
“Nathan and Tate again were right there to shoot the scores we know they can,” Reedy said. “Nathan made a double bogey late. Otherwise, he was rock solid. He has been hitting it really good and today he hit it great! Even the double he made was from hitting it too far on No. 17 and getting his ball into the tall grass in the penalty area. He has had his breakout in terms of hitting it so much better. He will get his payoff with the type of score he wants very soon.
“Tate played really well again and then made a 7 on No. 18. That is a hole he has had trouble with a lot, and it is absolutely partly mental at this point. We will do all we can to help him get more comfortable on that hole so that he can finish rounds in the future,” he added.
Centennial’s Kaden Schulz shot a 92. McCoy Miller had a 98.
“Kaden and McCoy really struggled, but we will do our best to help them rebound as they may be guys that we rely on down the stretch,” Reedy said.
The Jaguars will travel to Marshalltown on Thursday to compete in the Joe August Invitational at Elmwood Country Club. They placed fourth at last year’s meet, which was won by Indianola.