Ankeny swimmers Owen Evans and Owen Schwebach made the most of their final meet in the Hawks’ home pool.
The two seniors combined for three victories in the CIML Conference boys’ meet on Saturday at Trail Point Aquatics Center, where the duo led Ankeny to a third-place finish in the six-team field.
“It was a lot of fun getting to host the meet,” said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. “I thought the guys stepped up and raced hard in their final home meet. I think we probably finished where we were supposed to on paper, but I was pleased with our efforts and the score was pretty close throughout the meet thanks to multiple wins on the day.”
Top-ranked Waukee racked up 461 points to defend its team title. No. 2 Valley placed second with 401 points, followed by No. 7 Ankeny with 365.
Schwebach provided the Hawks’ first win in the 50 freestyle, posting a time of 21.97 seconds. Evans was the runner-up in that event in 22.18.
“I was very happy with both my swims,” said Schwebach. “I’ve been chasing 21 in the 50 free all season, and I think the higher level meet environment brought that swim out of me. It was awesome for my bro Owen Evans to be there right with me at the top of the podium–he also had a season-best (time).”
Evans later captured the 100 freestyle in 48.20. He edged Waukee’s John Trosper by .44 seconds.
Evans swam the first 50 yards in 23.29 to take a slight lead over Trosper. He then pulled away in the final 50 yards.
“I’m very happy that I’m starting to see time drops going into the championship season,” said Evans. “I knew I was going to need a time drop to win (the 100) so I took it out fast and was able to finish how I wanted.”
Schwebach then followed with a second victory in the 500 freestyle, posting a time of 4:45.72. He defeated runner-up Drew Emanuel of Valley by more than 3 seconds.
“My 500 was also successful–4:45 is another season-best and an awesome place to be at this time of the year,” Schwebach said. “Owen E was doing my cards so we had a great connection all meet with those races and our relays together!”
Evans and Schwebach later helped the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the 400 freestyle relay. They teamed up with Brock Peterson and Roe Denny to post a time of 3:17.06.
Schwebach swam the final 100 yards in 47.39, but Valley standout Jacob Pins swam his anchor leg in 47.18 to keep his team ahead. The Tigers won the race in 3:16.46.
“I am very proud and happy for both Owens,” Rhoads said. “They work hard and are great leaders for us so it was cool to see them be crowned conference champs. We almost had another one in the last relay, but it was a season-best and a great race so I can’t complain too much.”
Ankeny opened the meet with a third-place finish in the 200 medley relay. The foursome of Peterson, Nicholas Robie, Schwebach and Evans was clocked in 1:39.33.
Peterson placed third in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:00.79. He later took fifth in the 100 butterfly in 54.18, where he finished just behind teammate Bryer Pearson, who was fourth in 54.01.
Robie also contributed a pair of top-six finishes. He placed sixth in the 200 IM in 2:05.42 and fifth in the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.41.
Austin Troyer placed sixth in the 50 freestyle in 22.91, giving the Hawks a trio of top-six finishers in that event. Finn Stukerjurgen finished sixth in the 100 backstroke in 56.92.
Troyer and Stukerjurgen also helped the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay. They teamed up with Denny and Pearson to post a time of 1:33.87.
Ankeny will now have two weeks to prepare for the district meet on Feb. 3 at Mason City.
“I’m looking forward to working with these guys these last few weeks and for them to rest up and taper and go fast!” Rhoads said.
