Ankeny girls’ swimming coach Dustin Rhoads is a big fan of the Mason City pool.
His team may get another chance to compete there.
Ankeny traveled to Mason City on Tuesday for a double dual meet against the host River Hawks and Des Moines Hoover. The Hawkettes easily defeated both teams, winning all but one event overall.
“We had a good night,” said Rhoads, whose team is now 3-0 on the season. “It was great to see the girls get to compete in some different events and push each other. They have an amazing pool at Mason City, and we might be selected to go there again for regionals so I was glad to have this meet.”
Gracie Lindaman and Leah Schafer each won two individual events to lead the way. They also swam on two winning relays.
Lindaman won the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:06.02. She later took the 100 backstroke in 1:06.57.
Schafer captured the 100 butterfly in 1:06.75. She then won the 500 freestyle in 5:48.46.
Ankeny’s Charlie Villhaur took the 200 individual medley in a time of 2:27.14. Madison Trosper won the 50 freestyle in 26.41 seconds, while Paige Spoelstra captured the 100 freestyle in 58.20.
The Hawkettes opened the meet by winning the 200 medley relay in 1:59.55. That team consisted of Schafer, Lydia Crabb, Villhaur and Trosper.
Trosper and Villhaur later teamed up with Lindaman and Kyra Zinn to win the 200 freestyle relay. Ankeny posted a time of 1:49.01.
Lindaman and Schafer then combined with Zinn and Spoelstra to win the 400 freestyle relay in 3:57.17.
“Our focus right now is to try to continue to improve on all the little things and details,” Rhoads said. “Racing in meets like this helps them gain experience and confidence in all events, not just their favorites.”
Ankeny also got a win in diving from Miranda Gagne, who posted a score of 170.35 points. Teammate Isla Corron was the runner-up with 156.75.
Allie Kearney and Maggie Blackmore each took second in two events for the Hawkettes. Kearney posted times of 2:11.98 in the 200 freestyle and 1:15.69 in the 100 breaststroke, while Blackmore posted times of 27.01 in the 50 freestyle and 1:08.16 in the butterfly.
Villhaur was the runner-up in the 100 freestyle in 59.00. Spoelstra placed second in the backstroke in 1:07.56.
“It is awesome to see the improvements we have made since day one,” Rhoads said. “It’s a tough sport and you have to work hard, but we are trying to put an emphasis this year on having fun and having confidence and supporting each other and the rest will take care of itself. I enjoy working with this group of athletes, and I am excited to be back at our home pool to welcome Newton and Des Moines Roosevelt on Thursday for a double dual meet.”