No. 8 Ankeny swimmers rebound from loss to Dowling with victory over S.E. Polk

Ankeny’s Austin Troyer smiles after winning the 50 freestyle during Thursday’s dual meet against visiting Southeast Polk at Trail Point Aquatics Center. He posted a time of 22.54 seconds, then later won the 100 freestyle in 51.01. Troyer helped the Hawks to a 121-49 victory. (Photo courtesy of Jim Howard)

The eighth-ranked Ankeny boys’ swimming team bounced back from Tuesday’s loss to Dowling Catholic with a 121-49 victory over No. 14 Southeast Polk on Thursday at Trail Point Aquatics Center.

The Hawks won nine of the 11 events while raising their records to 2-3 in the CIML Conference and 3-3 overall. They swept the top two places in two of the three relays and took the top three spots in a pair of individual events.

“I’m really proud of my guys,” said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. “It was great to see them respond so well tonight! They were very motivated after the tough loss the other night and had great energy and swam aggressive. The results across the board showed that.”

**Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads watches his team during Thursday’s meet. The win evened the Hawks’ overall record at 3-3. (Photo courtesy of Jim Howard)**

Ankeny’s Finn Stukerjurgen swept the distance events. He took the 200 freestyle with a time of the 1:51.43 and the 500 freestyle in 5:07.70.

Teammate Austin Troyer swept the sprint events. He captured the 50 freestyle in 22.54 seconds, then won the 100 freestyle in 51.01.

Bryer Pearson placed second behind Troyer in the 50 freestyle, posting a time of 22.71. He then won the 100 butterfly in 52.61.

Brock Peterson captured the 100 backstroke in 55.38 seconds. He earlier placed second in the 200 individual medley in 2:03.15.

Ankeny’s Brock Peterson swims the butterfly leg of the 200 individual medley during Thursday’s meet. He placed second in a time of 2:03.15, then later won the 100 backstroke in 55.38 seconds. (Photo courtesy of Jim Howard)

Jake Smith was the runner-up in two events. He posted times of 51.91 in the 100 freestyle and 1:07.14 in the 100 breaststroke.

Jack Walsh placed second in the butterfly in 58.32. Noah Kearney added a runner-up finish in the backstroke, posting a time of 57.56.

Ankeny opened the meet with a victory in the 200 medley relay. The foursome of Peterson, Smith, Pearson and Troyer was clocked in 1:41.77.

Pearson, Peterson and Troyer later combined with Stukerjurgen to win the 200 freestyle relay. The Hawks posted a time of 1:32.82.

Ankeny’s Finn Stukerjurgen swims to a victory in the 500 freestyle during Thursday’s meet. He posted a time of 5:07.70. Stukerjurgen earlier won the 200 freestyle in 1:51.43. (Photo courtesy of Jim Howard)

Stukerjurgen also swam on the winning 400 freestyle relay. He teamed up with Kearney, Miles Harbert and Smith to post a time of 3:30.21.

“Southeast Polk was missing one of its best swimmers, but we wanted to prove we were a much better team than what we showed on Tuesday,” Rhoads said. “This was the team I know, and what it takes to be successful in the CIML. It was our best effort overall at a swim meet all season.”

Ankeny will host a non-conference dual meet against Cedar Falls on Saturday at 10 a.m. The Tigers lead the state power rankings with 3,520 points.

“Hopefully, this momentum can continue as we now host the No. 1 team in the state,” Rhoads said. “We are going to go out there and compete hard and have fun in our second-to-last home meet of the season.”