‘A lot of the boys were very motivated’: Ankeny swimmers romp past Dowling

Ankeny’s Nicholas Robie competes in the 100 breaststroke during Thursday’s dual meet against visiting Dowling Catholic at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Robie won the event with a time of 1:05.08 to help the Hawks to a 130-40 victory. (Photo courtesy of Jim Howard)

For the second time in three days, the Ankeny boys’ swimming team turned in a dominant performance.

The Hawks won all 11 events and romped to a 130-40 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference dual meet on Thursday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. They improved their records to 1-1 in the league and 2-1 overall.

“The boys were dominant again tonight,” said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads, whose team was coming off a 137-33 win at Indianola on Tuesday. “We put together a strong lineup that had the chance to win every race, and that’s exactly what they did. A lot of the boys were very motivated because of the tie with Dowling last year. I saw a bunch of kids who were excited to race and were feeding off each other’s good swims.”

Ankeny opened the meet with a victory in the 200 medley relay. The foursome of Brock Peterson, Nicholas Robie, Bryer Pearson and Austin Troyer posted a time of 1:41.86.

Ankeny’s Austin Troyer dives into the pool at the start of the 200 freestyle relay during Thursday’s dual meet. He helped the Hawks’ “B” unit to a second-place finish in a time of 1:34.77. (Photo courtesy of Jim Howard)

Peterson later teamed up with Owen Evans, Roe Denny and Owen Schwebach to win the 200 freestyle relay. The Hawks were clocked in 1:30.21.

Schwebach, Denny and Evans also swam on the winning 400 freestyle relay. They teamed up with Finn Stukerjurgen to post a time of 3:21.93.

Peterson won the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:52.36. He later captured the 100 backstroke in 56.09.

Schwebach took the 200 individual medley in 2:02.67 and the 500 freestyle in 4:49.39. Evans swept the sprint events, winning the 50 freestyle in 22.60 and the 100 freestyle in 48.87.

**Ankeny’s Owen Schwebach swims to a victory in the 500 freestyle during Thursday’s dual meet. He posted a time of 4:49.39. (Photo courtesy of Jim Howard)**

Pearson won the 100 butterfly in 54.30. Robie captured the 100 breaststroke in 1:05.08.

“Dowling did not have their best swimmer in Nick Rounds, but the guys wanted to prove a point that they are one of the best teams in the state and I think they did,” Rhoads said. “This group keeps working hard and improving, and I am excited for the challenges ahead of them.”

Ankeny will compete in three meets next week, beginning with Tuesday’s trip to Cedar Falls, where the Hawks will face the host Tigers and Dubuque Senior in a non-conference double dual meet.

“Next week we kind of travel the state of Iowa for some great competition in Cedar Falls, Valley and Iowa City,” Rhoads said. “I am proud of their efforts and energy tonight, and look forward to seeing them compete against some great competition next week and how they respond. One percent better every day is the goal, and continuing to believe in each other!”