Hawk golfers edge Waukee schools in triangular, finish 6-2 in CIML Conference

Ankeny’s Kyler Crimmins looks to hit his way out of some trouble on the No. 1 hole during a CIML Conference triangular meet on Thursday at Otter Creek. Crimmins carded a 76 to place eighth as an individual while helping the Hawks to narrow victories over Waukee and Waukee Northwest. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Only three strokes separated the Ankeny boys’ golf team from two of its CIML Conference rivals on Thursday at Otter Creek.

Fortunately for the Hawks, they came out on top in the triangular meet.

Fifth-ranked Ankeny posted a score of 297 to edge No. 13 Waukee by one stroke. No. 7 Waukee Northwest was another two shots back with a 300.

The Hawks finished with a 6-2 record in the conference.

Ankeny’s Drew Hensen gets ready to tee off on the No. 2 hole during Thursday’s meet. He carded a 1-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors for the sixth time in nine meets this season. (Photo by Dan Holm)

“We squeaked one out today as it was a great battle between three good teams,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld. “I have to say I was a bit concerned after the first three holes we played as I watched three of the varsity guys make double bogeys on their first or second hole, but then we seemed to settle in to our rounds and played some solid golf. I know all six guys wish they could play a few holes over again and our scores would have been much lower.”

Ankeny won despite having two triple bogeys and two quadruple bogeys on the day.

“It was a beautiful day and Otter is in great shape so any mistakes that were made there were really no excuses,” Weddingfeld said. “We continue to talk about limiting mistakes and today we really had too many big numbers as a team so we will continue to focus on that and being more consistent with our scores.”

Ankeny’s Drew Hensen carded a 1-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors for the sixth time in nine meets this season. He had a 2-under 33 on the back nine to finish one stroke ahead of runner-up Joel Peterson of Waukee.

**Ankeny’s Jacob Adams walks to the No. 2 tee during Thursday’s meet. He place third overall with a 72. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Jacob Adams shot a 72 and placed third overall for the Hawks. He made three consecutive birdies beginning on No. 11.

Kyler Crimmins took eighth with a 76. Evan Hodapp shot a 79, while Duncan Beelner and Caden Weddingfeld each finished with an 81.

“Drew, Jacob and Kyler continue to be really solid for us, and I know Evan, Duncan and Caden played great except for three holes each,” Weddingfeld said. “We are still searching for our top six lineup as we have several guys right now that seem to trade back and forth who is going to shoot better from day-to-day, but it is good to know that each one has the ability to score for the team. The challenge is figuring out who that is going to be each day. Everyone on the team is really focused and working hard toward the same goal, and (assistant coach) Curt (Ingham) and I have a great group of guys to work with.”

Ankeny will compete in the Steve Spray Invitational on Monday at the Indianola Country Club.