Ankeny Centennial’s Payton Drefke will get to close out her high school golf career on one of her favorite courses.
The senior qualified for the Class 4A state meet for the third consecutive year with a runner-up finish in a regional meet on Wednesday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. She shot a 5-over-par 78 on one of the state’s most challenging courses.
The state meet will be held on May 23-24 at Otter Creek.
“I am so excited and thrilled to be able to go to state next week, but I wish the rest of my team was going as well,” said Drefke. “I’ve had so much fun this year with this team!”
Centennial placed third in the 10-team field, but only the top two teams advanced. The Jaguars posted a 366 total.
Ames shot a 334 on its home course to win the team title. Linn-Mar (Marion) placed second with a 356.
“I was very proud of how our girls battled today,” said Centennial coach John Petersen. “Veenker is a very difficult course.”
Defending state champion Morgan Rupp of Linn-Mar carded a 1-under-par 72 to earn medalist honors. She had a 4-under 33 on the front nine.
Drefke opened with a birdie on the par-5, No. 1 hole, but then played the next fives holes in 7-over-par.
“I’m happy with how I played the last 12 holes,” Drefke said. “I started off well with a birdie, but holes 2-5 are a tough stretch and I let my nerves get the best of me. When I birdied No. 7, I relaxed a little and played the rest of the way even par and with a lot more confidence.”
Drefke shot a 36 on the back nine, capped off by a birdie on the par-5, No. 18 hole.
“I am very happy for Payton,” Petersen said. “She is playing very well right now, and I am excited to see how she finishes her career at the state tournament.”
Brooke Ridout placed seventh for the Jaguars with a 92, while Cate Trewet finished ninth with a 93. However, only the top six individuals qualified for state.
“They both were very close to making it,” Petersen said.
Centennial’s Kaylee Sprecher fired a 103. Kate Geiselhart shot a 104, and Sophia Wilson added a 107.
