There was a logjam in the middle of the pack at the Toni Dickey Invitational on Thursday at Otter Creek Golf Course.
Only nine strokes separated the six squads that placed fourth through ninth in the 12-team field. Southeast Polk placed fourth with a 373 total, while Ankeny shot a 378 and edged four other teams to finish fifth.
Dowling Catholic and Newton each posted a 379 total. Dallas Center-Grimes and Indianola each shot a 382.
It was Ankeny’s highest finish at its home invitational since 2021, when the Hawkettes placed fourth.
“I am beyond proud of the girls for what they did today,” said Ankeny coach Kelley Emke. “We started the season wanting an under 400 finish and top half at an invite, and they met both of those goals today and far exceeded the lower than 400! It feels so good to see their hard work paying off! We’ve really focused on fundamentals and smart golf, and it’s coming through!”
Ankeny Centennial shot a 390 and placed 10th. The Jaguars suffered a blow when Kaylee Sprecher, one of their top players, got sick during the meet and was forced to withdraw.
Thus, Centennial only had five golfers from which to take its four highest scores.
“Kaylee has been one of the low scores in both of our meets this year, so we missed her,” said Centennial coach John Petersen. “It’s the first week of meets, and we aren’t very consistent yet.”
Ames easily won the team title for the second straight year. The Little Cyclones shot a 314 and finished 23 strokes ahead of runner-up Marshalltown.
Macy Button of Ames carded a 3-over-par 74 to earn medalist honors. Natalie Henson of Marshalltown was the runner-up for the second time in three years.
Henson, who was last year’s medalist, also fired a 74. But she lost a cardoff to Button.
“It was so special to see such great golf played by so many girls today at a meet dedicated to my mom,” Emke said. “It was truly a day she would’ve been proud of!”
Isabella Ross carded an 86 to lead Ankeny, including a 41 on the front nine. She placed 13th in the field of 70 players.
“I was very excited about my round today, and it’s the best I’ve played in a tournament so far,” said Ross. “I had a great first nine and even with the wind picking up, I still had a decent back nine.”
Kate Geiselhart fired a 91 to pace Centennial. She finished in 20th place.
“The wind was definitely a factor, but it was much easier to control the ball today in comparison to Monday (at the Centennial Invitational),” said Geiselhart. “It was sunny and warm so nothing to complain about! As a team, we are excited to see improvement as the season moves along as everyone feels they have areas they could be better on.”
Aubree Moeller carded a 93 for the Hawkettes. Madalyn Ross had a 97, Ava Clarkson shot a 102, Ava Sesker had a 106, and Catherine Nelson added a 115.
“All the girls had scores we could be proud of, so the team scored great and I’m happy with our results!” said Isabella Ross. “The sun was shining and the air was warm, so the weather was definitely good compared to our typical conditions in spring golf. The wind was a bit of a challenge, but after some adjusting it wasn’t too bad.”
Sesker had the team’s only birdie of the day. It came on the par-4, No. 17 hole.
“We had four girls post a personal best: Isabella, Aubree, and both Avas,” Emke said. “It’s time to set new goals and work to meet those. We all know this is just the beginning of what we’re capable of, and we look forward to getting better as the season progresses!”
Cate Trewet carded a 93 for the Jaguars. Ava Entrekin shot a 102, Danika Kraus had a 104, and Lauren Wilford finished with a 108.
“I have seen some great golf, and we have also found some things that we need to work on,” Petersen said. “I am very happy with the players’ attitudes–there is no question they want to get better and are very willing to work hard. I’m excited to see how we grow as golfers in the next couple of months.”
Ankeny will compete in the Lamson Invitational on Monday at Willow Creek. The Hawkettes will then host Centennial and Valley in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Wednesday at Otter Creek.