Both Kelley Emke and Marty Kiepe walked away from Thursday’s Toni Dickey Invitational at Otter Creek feeling pretty good about their girls’ golf teams.
Kiepe’s Ankeny Centennial squad placed sixth in the 12-team field with a 387 total. The Jaguars took advantage of the sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s after dodging the rain on Wednesday, when they played on a soggy Blank Golf Course and shot a 200 at a nine-hole triangular.
“It was about as nice of a day as we could’ve gotten weather-wise; I’d sign up for that for every meet the rest of the year,” said Kiepe. “It was a great bounce-back day for our girls. We were right in the mix to be in the top four until the last four holes or so when we ran out of gas, but that will come as we get further into the season.”
Emke’s Ankeny team, meanwhile, finished eighth with a 406. The Hawkettes competed without their No. 1 player, Madalyn Ross.
Emke couldn’t help but think of her mother on the gorgeous day.
“Wow, what a day of golf to honor my mom!” said Emke, who is Dickey’s daughter. “She would have loved today. The weather was peak spring golf and so were the scores!”
Southeast Polk shot a 335 to capture the team title. Marshalltown was the runner-up with a 354.
Saleah Vivanh Vong of Des Moines East carded an even-par 71 to earn medalist honors. She finished four strokes ahead of runner-up Anna Wahman of Southeast Polk, who fired a 75.
Centennial’s Cate Trewet placed sixth with a 9-over-par 80. Her previous best was an 85 last year.
“I just really tried to keep myself in a positive headspace,” said Trewet. “I was playing with one of my good friends which always helps! It was just overall a fun day on the golf course!”
Trewet’s ability to avoid any big numbers was the key to her success, Kiepe said.
“Cate had a clean round with nothing higher than a bogey and no penalty strokes,” he said. “She played more free today and allowed herself to have fun. The best is yet to come for her.”
Ankeny’s Gabby Haga took 13th with an 87. Aubree Moeller moved up to the No. 1 spot and shot a 95 for the Hawkettes.
Catherine Nelson carded a 108, Tenley Beelner had a 116, and Lydia Gerety finished with a 127.
“We ended in eighth, which is about what we were hoping for missing one of our top six,” Emke said. “I’m really proud of both of our freshmen today! Gabby shot her season-best score, and Tenley rocked her first day on varsity. Our upperclassmen stayed consistent and showed great leadership and perseverance!”
Gretta Borich and Madi Trosper each fired a 101 for the Jaguars.
“These two both get better every day,” Kiepe said. “This was the second day in a row that I challenged Gretta to really finish strong, and she came through with back-to-back pars to end her round–just like (Wednesday). That 101 was a new low for Madi, who’s always hungry for more. These two are both great competitors, and I don’t think it’ll be long before we see them both in the mid-90s.”
Teagan Skinner provided Centennial’s fourth score with a 105. Kyler Jones had a 106, and Isla Corron added a 109 in her varsity debut.
“Isla didn’t know until about 3 p.m. (Wednesday) that she’d be playing varsity today,” Kiepe said. “She handled the pressure well and put together a solid round. I’m proud of her for stepping up on short notice.”
It was the third meet in four days for Centennial, which placed eighth in the Jaguar Invitational on Monday at Briarwood Golf Club–where they finished one stroke behind Ankeny.
“There’s no trophy for beating your in-town rival, but after falling to them by one at our home invite, I think the girls were happy to return the favor,” Kiepe said.
Ankeny will compete in the Lamson Invitational on Monday at Willow Creek. The meet will be hosted by Valley.
The Hawkettes will then return to Willow Creek on Wednesday for a CIML Conference triangular meet against Centennial and Valley.