For the second time in a week, the Ankeny boys’ golf team played the course at Jester Park.
The results were very similar.
Despite some solid rounds from Duncan Beelner and Caden Weddingfeld, the 14th-ranked Hawks lost to both No. 8 Dowling Catholic and No. 15 Waukee in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Wednesday.
The Maroons posted a score of 297 to edge Waukee by two strokes. Ankeny finished with a 308–three shots higher than its total on the same course on Sept. 11.
“One of golf’s biggest challenges is staying positive and riding the ups and downs that happen to all golfers,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld, whose team finished with a 1-7 record in the league. “I know our guys will keep working hard and work back to shooting the scores we know we are capable of.”
Waukee’s Ian Lantz carded a 1-under-par 71 to earn medalist honors. He edged runner-up AJ Sposato of Dowling by one stroke.
Beelner and Weddingfeld each shot a 74 for the Hawks. They placed fifth and sixth, respectively.
“Caden and Duncan played fantastic rounds of golf today,” said coach Weddingfeld. “Both played very consistently all day. Caden had 15 pars and a birdie. Duncan had 10 pars and birdied two of his last four holes. I am very pleased with how both have been playing.”
Ankeny’s Evan Hodapp, Breck Hughes and Gavin Ross each fired an 80. Ryan Constable added an 82.
“We are still searching for two more scores in the 70s,” Weddingfeld said. “We need to get the rest of our guys playing better and boost their confidence. I know they are all capable of shooting mid to low 70s, but it just isn’t happening right now and that is frustrating for them.”
Ankeny will compete in the Steve Spray Invitational on Monday at the Indianola Country Club.