A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls’ golf team shot a 398 and placed 12th among 15 squads in the Linn-Mar Invitational at Hunters Ridge Golf Course.
On Tuesday, the Jaguars returned to Marion for this year’s tournament and performed much better.
Centennial posted a 369 total and placed sixth in the 15-team field. The Jaguars fell just short of their season-best score of 366, which they shot at the Toni Dickey Invitational on Thursday at Otter Creek.
“Our goal was to beat 370,” said Centennial coach John Petersen. “It was very windy on a difficult course so I was very pleased with our finish.”
Only nine strokes separated the top five teams. Cedar Falls won the title with a 345, edging two-time defending champion Pleasant Valley by three shots.
Waukee Northwest was another stroke back with a 349. The Wolves were followed by Cedar Rapids Washington (351) and Linn-Mar (354).
Jane Peterson of Cedar Rapids Washington fired a 7-over-par 79 to earn medalist honors. Morgan Rupp of Linn-Mar was the runner-up with an 80.
Payton Drefke carded an 81 to lead Centennial, including a birdie on the par-4, No. 7 hole. She placed fifth as an individual.
Kate Geiselhart shot a 93 for the Jaguars, while Sophia Wilson had a 97. Brooke Ridout fired a 98, Kaylee Sprecher had a 107, and Cate Trewet added a 109.
Centennial will host a CIML Conference triangular meet against Urbandale and Valley on Wednesday at Briarwood Golf Club.