Tuesday’s home opener gave the Ankeny girls’ swimming team a chance to mix up its lineup against an inferior opponent.
Coach Dustin Rhoads’ team still dominated the non-conference meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center.
Ankeny won all 12 events and rolled to a 141-28 victory over Mason City. The Hawkettes improved to 4-1 on the season, while the Riverhawks dropped to 2-9.
“It was a great home opener for us!” said Rhoads. “It was fun to see the girls get to compete in the pool we train in every day. We were able to mix around our lineup a bit and try some different things. We are still learning so much about this group, and what all they can do and are capable of. We are excited about the improvements we are making and the direction the team is headed.”
Maggie Blackmore and Abigail Brugman each won two individual events for Ankeny. Blackmore took the 50 freestyle in 26.76 and the 100 butterfly in 1:03.88, while Brugman captured the 100 freestyle in 58.56 and the 100 backstroke in 1:06.79.
Charlie Villhauer edged teammate Avery Anderson to win the 200 freestyle in a time of 2:06.01. Anderson was the runner-up in 2:06.74.
Those two later competed against each other again in the 500 freestyle, but the order of finish was reversed. Anderson won that race in 5:40.44, and Villhauer was second in 5:49.99.
Piper Hedrick won the 200 individual medley in 2:26.53. Madi Trosper was second in 2:29.76.
Allie Kearney took the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:16.29. She earlier placed second in the 100 freestyle in 59.47.
The Hawkettes also got runner-up finishes from Allie Breuner in the 50 freestyle (27.54), Hayden Ocheltree in the butterfly (1:04.98) and Kylee Stone in the backstroke (1:07.48).
Ankeny’s other individual win came in the diving event. Kambelle Subbert scored 190.55 points to earn the victory.
The Hawkettes opened the meet by winning the 200 medley relay in a time of 1:58.77. That team consisted of Trosper, Kearney, Brugman and Blackmore.
Blackmore and Brugman later teamed up with Breuner and Villhauer to win the 200 freestyle relay. Ankeny was clocked in 1:48.19.
The Hawkettes closed out the meet by winning the 400 freestyle relay in 4:00.70. That squad was comprised of Villhauer, Adi Dee, Dagny Bubon and Kearney.
“It’s always a great day to get a win at home!” Rhoads said. “You’ve got to protect the home pool!”
Ankeny will host Waukee Northwest in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday at Trail Point. The Wolves placed second at last year’s state meet.
“We still have a lot of hard work ahead of us, and a lot of challenging meets on the schedule coming up with some very strong and talented teams,” Rhoads said. “I am proud of our team’s progress, but trying to keep them motivated and hungry to improve and get better at things daily so we can be our best at the end of the season when it matters most.”