Despite some cold and rainy conditions, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls’ golf teams both posted some solid scores on Thursday in the Toni Dickey Invitational at Otter Creek.
The Jaguars placed third in the 12-team field with a 366 total.
“We were very happy with our play today!” said Centennial coach John Petersen. “It was a big improvement since the Centennial Invite at Briarwood (on April 8), and we had some unfriendly playing conditions.”
Ankeny, meanwhile, finished in eighth place on its home course. The Hawkettes had a score of 390.
“We met our goal of shooting under 400,” said Ankeny coach Kelley Emke, who was coaching in the tournament named after her late mother for the first time. “I’m super proud of our girls.”
Ames shot a 343 to win the meet. Defending champion Southeast Polk was the runner-up with a 360.
Centennial’s Payton Drefke and Marshalltown’s Natalie Henson each carded a 4-over-par 75 to top the individual leaderboard. Henson, who was last year’s runner-up, earned medalist honors on a cardoff.
Drefke settled for the runner-up spot.
“Payton played a great back nine, shooting a 35,” Petersen said.
Drefke made birdies on the par-5, No. 11 hole and the par-4, No. 16 hole. But she felt like she missed some other birdie opportunities.
“I was pleased with my score today even with the rain, but also felt I could’ve shot better,” said Drefke. “The front nine was a little tough with the rain, and I felt like my clubs were slipping at times, but I tried to stay focused and confident throughout the whole day. I have been working on dialing in my 60-yard and in shots at practice, so I definitely felt like those improved which helped my score as well. The key for me was to block out the weather and play one shot at a time.”
Ankeny’s Gracie Block placed 17th with a 92. She made back-to-back birdies on the Nos. 12 and 13 holes.
Brooke Ridout took 19th for the Jaguars with a 93. Kate Geiselhart and Cate Trewet each had a 99, while Sophia Wilson and Kaylee Sprecher each shot a 110.
Addison Smith carded a 93 for the Hawkettes and placed 22nd. Isabella Ross carded a 96, Ava Sesker had a 109, and Aubree Moeller finished with a 142.