The Ankeny girls’ swimming team has already faced some of the state’s top squads with its daunting schedule in the CIML Conference.
On Thursday, the Hawkettes stepped out of the CIML for a non-conference dual meet at Cedar Falls. And it proved to be just as difficult.
The third-ranked Tigers raised their overall record to 30-1 with a 124-62 victory over No. 5 Ankeny, which dropped to 4-4 on the season. The Hawkettes won just one of the 12 events.
“Cedar Falls is very fast, deep and talented,” said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. “They are my pick to win it all this year. They are really No. 2 in the rankings; they just haven’t updated their (results). But I was happy with our efforts and pushing ourselves to keep up with them.
“It was also fun to be a part of the last-ever meet at Coach Marcussen Pool in Cedar Falls. We just missed their new pool which is opening next week,” he added.
Allie Kearney provided Ankeny’s lone win in the 100 backstroke, posting a time of 1:04.69. Kylee Stone was the runner-up in that event in 1:07.18.
Hayden Ocheltree placed second in the 100 butterfly in 1:06.03. Maggie Blackmore took second in the 500 freestyle in 5:23.96.
The Hawkettes opened the meet with a second-place finish in the 200 medley relay. They were clocked in 1:57.11.
Ankeny also got a runner-up finish from Isla Corron in the diving event. She posted a score of 190.05 points.
Placing third for the Hawkettes were Charlie Villhauer in the 200 freestyle (2:05.72), Kearney in the 200 individual medley (2:24.44), Blackmore in the 50 freestyle (26.48), Piper Hedrick in the butterfly (1:06.14) and Avery Anderson in the 500 freestyle (5:39.29).
“We competed hard and did much better as a team overall than on Tuesday (in a loss at Valley),” Rhoads said. “That was disappointing–starting with me at the top not having them fully prepared or our best lineup in place for a conference opponent. We learned from it and have moved forward as a team, and will be better from it.
“We are in a tough and challenging part of the season where everyone is sore and tired and school ramps up and there is sickness and other factors that go into everything. I am not worried about our times, but focused on racing and the girls getting experience. We will keep pushing through and working hard to get to the end of the season (taper) and our goals,” he added.
Ankeny will travel to Johnston on Tuesday for a conference dual meet against the No. 7 Dragons (8-1) at Summit Middle School.
“That’s a big one. It’s a fun rivalry,” Rhoads said. “I know they will swim fast, and we will be ready with our best lineup!”
