The Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf team faced a formidable task on Monday.
The Jaguars knew that they would likely have to defeat one of the top six teams in Class 4A in order to earn a third consecutive trip to the state meet under coach Andrew Reedy.
And they nearly did it.
Centennial placed fourth among 14 teams in a district meet at the Fort Dodge Country Club. The Jaguars posted a 302 total and finished just four strokes behind sixth-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes, which shot a 298 to earn the third qualifying spot.
However, Centennial senior McCoy Miller qualified for state as an individual by placing ninth with a 72. The state meet will be held next Monday and Tuesday at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston.
“It’s a little bittersweet qualifying as an individual and not as a team, but I’m happy to still be playing golf,” said Miller. “Honestly, I didn’t try to think much about what score I needed to shoot. I just went out and tried to play my best in some tough conditions and on a hard golf course.”
There wasn’t much separation between Centennial and Dallas Center-Grimes. Miller posted a better score than the Mustangs’ entire lineup, but Dallas Center-Grimes had four scoring rounds of 76 or better–and that was too much for the Jaguars to overcome.
No. 3 Johnston captured the team title with a 283, edging No. 2 Waukee Northwest by one stroke. The Dragons are seeking their third Class 4A crown in the last four years.
Johnston’s Andrew Johannsen, the defending state runner-up, fired a 69 to earn medalist honors. Teammate Rowan Riddle was the runner-up with a 70.
Miller posted the second-lowest score among players who were not on a qualifying team.
“McCoy had to get up and down on No. 18 to secure his spot, and he did just that,” said Reedy. “I can’t overstate how proud of McCoy I am. When you are identifying traits of student athletes that are desirable, he checks all of the boxes. Polite, kind, works hard at his sport and in the classroom, he is just a great kid. I have gotten messages from opposing parents about how great he was to watch play and how well he carried himself. I am excited for McCoy and believe he can go and contend at the state tournament. It will be an honor to take a couple more spins around the course with a kid I have gotten to spend the last three seasons with, watching him develop as a player and as a young man.”
Tiernan Logan placed 17th for the Jaguars with a 76.
“Tiernan is a kid that worked really hard this offseason and had moments this season where I thought he was about to break out,” Reedy said. “He played hard today and never gave up. I am proud of him as well. He has had a great career where he played in three district tournaments and two state championships. I know he is disappointed, but he should also be proud of his career.”
Centennial also counted a pair of 77s from Kinnick Nelson and Bennett Lewis. Everett Bloyer carded an 80, and Colby Zinn finished with an 85.
“Bennett played very solid golf yet again. He had one hiccup today that resulted in a triple bogey late in his round, but he hung tough and finished strong,” Reedy said. “Kinnick was also playing in his first district tournament and played fantastic for most of the day. He had multiple par saves that made me say to myself, ‘If we get through, that may have been the moment that got us to the finish line.’ He also made a triple bogey late that derailed his round a bit, but he also battled and finished with some nice pars.”
Reedy also praised seniors Jackson Lewis and Cade Miller, who were among the Jaguars that attended the meet to support their teammates.
“Jackson is a kid that had played in the last two state tournaments for us and had some struggles with his game late this season that made it so he didn’t play today. Instead of hanging his head, he came to support his brother and teammates,” Reedy said. “It was the same with Cade. He was on varsity for a lot of the year and didn’t make the postseason roster, but he was there for the boys.
“These are examples of great teammates that make me proud to coach them,” he added.
