The Ankeny boys’ golf team sits in a pretty good position heading into the final round of the Class 4A state meet.
Ankeny Centennial isn’t too far back, either.
The 15th-ranked Hawks shot a 303 in Monday’s opening round at Briarwood Golf Club, putting them in third place in the 12-team field. No. 2 Johnston posted a 298 total to take a three-stroke lead over No. 4 Dubuque Wahlert.
“I am extremely happy with where we stand after day one,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld, whose team started play on the back nine and was just one stroke behind then-leader Dubuque Wahlert midway through the round. “I could not be more proud of the team and how we shot today.”
No. 12 Centennial, meanwhile, shot a 310 on its home course. The Jaguars are in ninth place, but only 12 strokes out of the lead and a mere five shots out of fourth place.
“I like the position we’re in,” said Centennial coach Andrew Reedy. “It’s anybody’s ball game.”
Andrew Johannsen of Johnston carded a 3-under-par 69 to top the individual leaderboard. He made five birdies on the day to take a one-stroke lead over Cedar Falls’ Anthony Galvin.
Ankeny was led by the senior duo of Duncan Beelner and Caden Weddingfeld. They both fired a 74 and are part of a four-way tie for ninth place.
“I felt pretty good about my round today,” said Beelner, who finished with two birdies and four bogeys. “My putter definitely helped me save some strokes.”
Weddingfeld matched Beelner with a 37 on both the front and back nines. He made three birdies, including one on the par-4 No. 5 hole that put him at 1-under for the day before he bogeyed three of his last four holes.
Leading the way for Centennial was junior Jackson Lewis, the Jaguars’ No. 6 player. He carded a 75 and is part of a seven-way tie for 13th place.
Like Weddingfeld, Lewis got off to a good start. Starting on the back nine, he was at 1-under after making back-to-back birdies on Nos. 3 and 4.
“I think my short game was my strength today,” said Lewis. “Even with the quick greens, I was able to get the green speed down early.”
Lewis fell out of the top 10 when he bogeyed four of his last five holes, but Reedy was still happy with his round.
“Jackson was really good today,” Reedy said. “He struggled some coming in, but made no big numbers and made three birdies. He picked up where he left off last Monday (at the district meet) with good, boring golf. He is focused and hungry right now–and that’s a great combination!”
Ryan Constable shot a 77 for the Hawks. He had an even-par 36 on the front nine, capped off by his third birdie of the day on No. 9.
Gavin Ross provided Ankeny’s fourth score with a 78.
“I’m very happy with the way the team played today, including me,” Beelner said. “The course was playing tough, and bringing in a 303 was pretty solid.”
Evan Hodapp had a 79 for the Hawks. Sam Ortega added an 82.
“Getting five scores in the 70s was a great team accomplishment, and we hope we can continue our good play (Tuesday),” Weddingfeld said. “There are a lot of places where mistakes can be made at Briarwood, and we did a good job of limiting those today.”
Charlie Morrissey fired a 77 for the Jaguars. He made a par on eight of his last nine holes after shooting a 40 on the back nine.
“Charlie got off to a bit of a colorful start,” Reedy said. “He doubled No. 11, but bounced right back with a birdie on 12. Then bogeyed 13 and bounced back again with birdie on 14. Then bogeyed 15, 17 and 18. He told me if he could have gotten off the tee today it would have been much lower. I told all the guys to remember it is a two-day tournament.”
Centennial’s Nathan Boehlert and Jett Lovanh each shot a 79. McCoy Miller had an 81, and Tiernan Logan finished with an 83.
“The score we need to shoot in order to compete (Tuesday) is one I know this bunch is capable of,” Reedy said. “We’re in a position to play from behind and put the pressure on other teams that are in the lead. It is really bunched up on the leaderboard, so we will give it our best shot and see what happens.”
Lewis has confidence in the Jaguars as well.
“We are comfortable where we are,” he said. “Even though we didn’t bring our best stuff today, I feel like we can make a move. We are excited to get back after it (on Tuesday).”
