Ankeny Centennial’s Payton Drefke entered the final round of the CIML Conference girls’ golf meet with a three-stroke lead.
The senior didn’t have to sweat out a narrow victory.
Drefke carded a 4-over-par 75 on Wednesday at Otter Creek to finish with a 36-hole total of 152, allowing her to earn medalist honors by nine strokes over Adalyn Wiig of Waukee Northwest.
“I’m extremely happy for Payton!” said Centennial coach John Petersen. “She is the first conference champion we have had since I started coaching. She has worked very hard her four years, and it is definitely paying off for her.”
Drefke, who shot a 77 on Monday in the opening round at Beaver Creek, made three birdies on Wednesday. She had no worse than a bogey on any hole.
“Today was one of the best weather days we’ve had so far for meets! I’m hoping it continues,” Drefke said. “I was confident in my swing today and felt my putting improved from Monday which helped my score, too.”
Drefke is a two-time state qualifier who could be a contender this year for the Class 4A title. The state meet will be held later this month at Otter Creek.
“I have played Otter Creek so much that I feel very comfortable there and around the greens,” Drefke said. “This win will give me confidence going into regionals, and hopefully we can all keep the momentum going as a team!”
Drefke led Centennial to a third-place finish in the nine-team field. The Jaguars shot a 372 on Wednesday and finished with a two-day total of 729.
Waukee Northwest posted a 662 total to easily win the team crown. Defending champion Southeast Polk was the runner-up with a 711.
“I’m very pleased with our two-day tourney,” Petersen said. “We shot a season-low (of 357) on Monday which put us in good position for today’s round. We knew it would be a tall order to catch Southeast Polk for second, but felt like we had a chance. We just didn’t get there as a team today.”
Ankeny, meanwhile, took ninth overall. The Hawkettes shot a 409 on their home course and finished with an 814 total.
“I’m really proud of our whole team,” said Ankeny coach Kelley Emke. “It’s hard to come in last, but we will keep focusing on the next meet and getting better every day. We have two wonderful seniors who have two regular season meets left, and we’re going to keep doing what we can to improve.”
Ankeny’s Isabella Ross fired a 93 on Wednesday and placed 15th overall with a 181 total. She had a birdie on the par-4, No. 8 hole.”
I am really proud of Isabella for her strong finish,” Emke said. “She played some really good golf, especially on Monday shooting her season-best score (of 88). She got some hard breaks on conditions and shots at times, and she kept bouncing back to reach her goals.”
The Jaguars got a 20th-place finish from Kate Geiselhart. She carded a 97 in the final round for a 187 total.
Centennial’s Sophia Wilson and Cate Trewet each shot a 100 on Wednesday, finishing with totals of 194 and 196, respectively. Brooke Ridout and Kaylee Sprecher each fired a 101 and finished at 200 and 203, respectively.
Addison Smith carded a 98 on Wednesday and posted a 194 total for the Hawkettes. Gracie Block shot a 107 for a 210 total, Ava Sesker had a 111 for a 229 total, and Aubree Moeller fired a 123 for a 261 total.
