Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke has already enjoyed a tremendous high school golf career.
The Augustana University (S.D.) recruit now has one final season to close it out in style.
“I know Payton will want to be one of the top golfers in the state,” said Centennial coach John Petersen.
Drefke is a two-time state placewinner. She tied for 15th place in Class 4A as a sophomore in 2022, when she led the Jaguars to a 10th-place finish.
Last year, when the state meet was again held at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny, Drefke qualified as an individual and placed 15th. She carded rounds of 79 and 81 for a 36-hole total of 160.
Drefke was a four-time medalist as a junior. She shot a 35 to earn medalist honors during a triangular meet against Ankeny and Urbandale, leading her team to a pair of victories.
Drefke later fired an 81 to place third in a regional meet at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. She led her team and ranked 16th in Class 4A with a 42.8 average for nine holes.
“I believe she has the potential to be within the top five in the state,” Petersen said.
There are 25 girls on the roster. Senior Brooke Ridout and junior Kate Geiselhart are the other returning varsity regulars from a team that posted a 4-4 record in the CIML Conference.
Geiselhart posted an average score of 52.0. She placed 24th at the conference meet with a 93, helping the Jaguars to tie for fifth overall.
Ridout had a 55.5 average. She carded a 50 during a triangular meet against Johnston and Waukee, helping her team to two wins.
Senior Sophia Wilson also saw some varsity action in 2023. She posted a 58.6 average.
The Jaguars will open their season on April 8 by hosting the Centennial Invitational at Briarwood Golf Club. They placed second at last year’s meet behind Gilbert.
“I see a lot of potential in our golfers–they have worked hard in the offseason,” Petersen said. “But our depth needs to play bogey golf or better for us to reach our potential.”