The Ankeny boys’ swimming team proved on Thursday that it could compete with three-time defending state champion Waukee.
Even though the Warriors posted a 105-65 victory in the CIML Conference dual meet, Ankeny won three events and should have won another at Trail Point Aquatics Center.
“Obviously, it’s a tough way to start the dual season against the top-ranked team, but it is good for us to face great competition,” said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. “They are probably the best team we will see all season along with Valley. I’m proud of my guys for how they competed, and I’m pleased with where we are at right now times-wise.”
Sprinter Owen Evans provided two of Ankeny’s victories. He won the 50 freestyle in 22.56 seconds, then later captured the 100 freestyle in 49.31.
Teammate Owen Schwebach took the 500 freestyle in a time of 4:47.97. He earlier placed second in the 100 butterfly in 51.25.
“We were led by both Owens, who are both senior leaders and captains for us,” Rhoads said. “We were able to win some events and post some very fast times for this point in the season.”
Schwebach anchored the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the 200 freestyle relay. He teamed up with Evans, Brock Peterson and Roe Denny to post a time of 1:29.64.
Waukee was clocked in 1:29.48.
“We should have had a big win in that relay, but unfortunately the touch pad did not read Owen’s finish and the back-up time was slower,” Rhoads said. “Everyone in the pool knows we touched first, but that’s sports and life sometimes and we’ve just got to move forward. We will be working on great finishes, though–that’s for sure.”
Ankeny also placed second in the 200 medley relay. The foursome of Peterson, Nicholas Robie, Schwebach and Evans posted a time of 1:38.72.
Peterson was the runner-up in the 200 individual medley in a time of 2:03.66. He later took third in the 100 backstroke in 55.47.
Robie added a third-place finish in the 100 breaststroke. He was clocked in 1:06.35.
“We had a good meet!” Rhoads said. “It’s always fun to host a big meet at home, and I saw a lot of improvements even from a week ago.”
Waukee swept the top four places in the 200 freestyle. The Warriors later took the top two spots in the backstroke, breaststroke and 400 freestyle relay.
“We were pretty close with them most the way until about the last three events where their great depth really took over,” Rhoads said.
The Hawks will travel to Indianola on Tuesday for a non-conference dual meet.
“We now move to December where we will have six meets in a 14-day span against a lot of good teams!” Rhoads said. “I am excited for this group as we have a lot of hungry and motivated kids who want to keep getting better. We’ve got to get back to work starting (Saturday) morning!”