Wednesday’s Ankeny Invitational boys’ meet at Otter Creek Golf Course featured a variety of weather conditions.
“The day was typical Iowa as we had rain this morning which did not allow the teams to warm up at the range, then it got warm and beautiful, then the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up and it cooled off so that may have affected play a little,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld.
Ankeny Centennial placed fifth in the 12-team field with a 297. The Jaguars were only three strokes out of a tie for second place.
“I asked the guys to treat today like districts, as the field was very similar to the type of field we will face at whatever district we get assigned to,” said Centennial coach Andrew Reedy. “Top three gets through a district, and we were right there. We just have to learn to finish stronger, and that includes me as the coach. I just have to make better decisions down the stretch.”
Ankeny shot a 310 and finished sixth on its home course. The Hawks had posted a season-best score of 303 at the Fort Dodge Invitational on Tuesday.
“We did not shoot quite as well today, but I am still happy with how the guys played,” Weddingfeld said.
Valley carded a 279 and won the meet by 15 strokes for the second straight year. Dallas Center-Grimes and Dowling Catholic each shot a 294, but the Mustangs earned second place based on a better fifth score.
Valley’s Braeden Nelson fired an 8-under-par 63 to earn medalist honors. Teammate C.T. Norris was the runner-up with a 67.
Centennial was led by McCoy Miller, who placed third with a 69.
“McCoy had a tough start and was 3-over through two holes,” Reedy said. “He played the rest of the round 5-under-par and made seven birdies today. He had a tough day (Tuesday) and bounced back nicely today, even after a tough start.”
Gavin Ross earned a top-10 finish for the Hawks. He shot a 72 to place ninth.
“Gavin really stepped up today shooting a great round, so we have guys that can go low for us,” Weddingfeld said. “But it is getting them consistently to do that and all on the same day.”
Bennett Lewis and Tiernan Logan each carded a 75 for the Jaguars. They placed 16th and 17th, respectively.
“Bennett had his best round as a Jaguar–he was just rock solid all day. He is just a freshman and is showing that his potential is very high, and I’m super excited to watch him continue to improve,” Reedy said. “Tiernan played really well to start and was even par through 11 holes. He played the last seven in 4-over-par. He is really close to putting a great round together, and I like the way he competed today.”
Centennial’s Colby Zinn shot a 78. Cade Miller had an 81, and Kinnick Nelson added an 84.
“Colby played much better than that,” Reedy said. “He unfortunately made an 8 on his last hole. I told him that was on me because I asked him to hit a shot I shouldn’t have. I learned something as a coach, and he learned something as a player I believe. He has strung two really nice rounds together back-to-back, and I am proud of him for bouncing back like he has.”
Elliott McHose carded a 78 for the Hawks. Ryan Constable had a 79, Chase Ortega and Griffen Beelner each had an 81, and Riley Dueker finished with an 84.
Gage Behrens shot a 75 for Ankeny’s junior varsity squad.
“Gage played varsity early this season, and if we could have used his score we would have shot 304,” Weddingfeld said. “It would not have changed our team place, but it was good to see him figuring his game out and continuing to fight for a varsity position. I know this group will continue to work hard and improve so I am happy with the guys over the last two days of competition.”
The Hawks will play Urbandale and Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Monday at the Urbandale Golf and Country Club.