Even though Ames has left the Central Iowa Metropolitan League for the less competitive Alliance Conference, the Little Cyclones still boast one of the state’s best girls’ swimming programs.
Third-ranked Ames, which won nine state titles in a span of 11 years before Waukee won the last two crowns, posted a 123-63 victory over No. 5 Ankeny in a non-conference dual meet on Thursday. The visiting Hawkettes finished their dual season with a 6-5 record.
Ankeny’s lone first-place finish was provided by Josie Parton. She won the 100 backstroke in a time of 1:00.67.
Sophie Loeffler placed second in the 200 freestyle in 2:02.87. She later was the runner-up in the 100 butterfly in 1:00.97.
Anja Peck also posted a pair of second-place finishes. She was clocked in 2:11.75 in the 200 individual medley, which met the cutoff time to automatically qualify for state, then later turned in a time of 5:22.34 in the 500 freestyle.
Gracie Lindaman took second in the 50 freestyle. She was clocked in 25.75 seconds.
Presley Drew added another runner-up finish in the diving event. She finished with 188.95 points.
Ankeny will now prepare for the CIML Conference meet. The diving portion of the meet will be held on Tuesday at Southeast Polk; the swimming events are slated for Oct. 21 at Johnston.