Throughout the regular season, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf teams have had to compete against many of the state’s best squads on a regular basis.
On Wednesday, the Hawks and Jaguars got to play against all of the CIML Conference’s best teams at the same meet.
The conference meet was held at Beaver Creek Golf Course in Grimes, where the nine-team field included five of the top 10 squads in Class 4A.
“I was happy with how the team played today even though we did not finish very high,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld, whose team placed eighth with a 313 total. “We have been playing some of the best competition in the state all season long, and my guys never give up. They went out and all worked very hard to shoot their best, and I could not be more proud of them.”
Centennial, meanwhile, took seventh place. The Jaguars posted a score of 310.
“We are just searching for the right formula,” said Centennial coach Andrew Reedy. “The reality is that this team has what it takes to go to Fort Dodge on Monday and advance to the state tournament. But we are going to need guys to put it together on the same day, not one or two today, then another one or two the next time.”
Second-ranked Waukee Northwest shot a 284 to win the team title, edging No. 7 Valley by two strokes. No. 4 Johnston, the defending state champion, was third with a 289.
Valley’s Caden Norris carded a 67 to earn medalist honors. Johnston’s Rowan Riddle was the runner-up with a 69.
Centennial was led by Colby Zinn. He fired a 75 to place 17th as an individual.
“Colby did a really nice job playing golf today,” Reedy said. “He didn’t need to hit it perfect or putt great, but he worked his way around the golf course very well. Hit the right shots at the right time and was in control of his emotions.
“Everyone else seemed to have some good stretches of golf, but too many struggles to overcome,” he added.
Tiernan Logan shot a 77 for the Jaguars. McCoy Miller carded a 78, Everett Bloyer had an 80, Kinnick Nelson fired an 84, and Bennett Lewis added an 85.
Gavin Ross and Ryan Constable each carded a 77 to lead the Hawks. Chase Ortega shot a 78, Griffen Beelner had an 81, Riley Dueker carded an 82, and Elliott McHose finished with an 84.
“We shot a score that is consistent with what we shoot on another unfamiliar course,” Weddingfeld said. “Curt (Ingham), my assistant, mentioned that even if had we shot our season-best score (292) we still would have been in fourth place, and that just shows the talent that we face day in and day out.”
Both teams will now prepare for their respective Class 4A district meets. The Jaguars are headed to the Fort Dodge Country Club on Monday.
“It is down to one last chance to do what I know we are capable of,” Reedy said. “They don’t award spots in the state tournament for what you’re capable of. They award them for who does it when it matters. And strange as it may be to say, that plays in our favor.
“We will prepare the rest of the week and play a practice round in Fort Dodge on Sunday. Then it will be time to tee it up on Monday,” he added.
Ankeny will play in a loaded field at the Copper Creek district on Tuesday.
“I know the boys will keep working hard the next few days to prepare for districts, and we know we have our work cut out for us but I know my guys will give their best,” Weddingfeld said.
