‘What a crazy day’: Jaguars place 6th, Hawkettes finish 8th at Centennial Invite

Ankeny Centennial’s Kaylee Sprecher talks with coach John Petersen before teeing off on the No. 2 hole during the Centennial Invitational on Monday at Briarwood Golf Club. Sprecher carded a 97 to tie for 18th place with Ankeny’s Isabella Ross. She led the Jaguars to a sixth-place finish. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Monday’s windy conditions created some havoc for the 72 girls who competed in the Ankeny Centennial Invitational at Briarwood Golf Club.

“What a crazy day to have your first meet,” said Centennial coach John Petersen. “The wind was very difficult to handle. It was even hard to putt.”

Centennial opened its season by placing sixth in the 12-team field. The Jaguars posted a score of 399.

Ankeny, meanwhile, finished eighth with a 417 total. It was the second meet of the season for the Hawkettes, who took third in the Waukee Northwest Invitational on April 7.

**Ankeny’s Ava Clarkson tees off on the No. 7 hole during Monday’s meet. She shot a 117 to help the Hawkettes to an eighth-place finish. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

“Obviously, today’s conditions were less than ideal,” said Ankeny coach Kelley Emke. “We had a couple golfers who really struggled to play their normal game, but overall we are still learning and growing. It’s still early so I was happy to see three of the girls improve on their scores from Legacy (Golf Club).”

Pleasant Valley easily won the meet with a 333. Gilbert, the four-time defending champion, was second with a 369.

Camille Wood of Pleasant Valley carded a 77 to earn medalist honors. Ella Lohrbach of Gilbert was the runner-up with an 80.

Ankeny’s Isabella Ross and Centennial’s Kaylee Sprecher each shot a 97. They tied for 18th place.

“Isabella continues to be a strong leader and help all the girls push through and stay positive,” Emke said.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Kate Geiselhart hits a chip shot on the No. 1 hole during Monday’s meet. She fired a 98 for the Jaguars. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Kate Geiselhart and Cate Trewet each fired a 98 for the Jaguars. Ava Entrekin had a 106, Lauren Wilford shot a 114, and Emma Bisgard added a 127.

“Overall, I’m happy with our start,” Petersen said. “We know we can score better and have found things to improve upon.”

Aubree Moeller carded a 100 for the Hawkettes. Madalyn Ross had a 107, Ava Sesker had a 113, Catherine Nelson shot a 115, and Ava Clarkson finished with a 117.

“Aubree posted a personal best today so we are all very proud of that,” Emke said. “We are looking forward to two more meets this week.”

The Hawkettes will face Northwest and Urbandale in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Tuesday at Sugar Creek. The Jaguars will travel to Jester Park on Wednesday for a conference triangular against Dowling Catholic and Johnston.