Only five strokes separated the three girls’ golf teams in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Wednesday at Sugar Creek.
Unfortunately, Ankeny came out on the short end.
The Hawkettes shot a 186 and suffered a pair of close losses. Waukee posted a 181 total on its home course to edge Dowling Catholic, which finished with a 183.
“It’s not how we wanted it to go,” said Ankeny coach Kelley Emke. “It was a tough loss by only a few strokes with some holes that really got the best of us! But I am proud of the girls for continuing to push for improvement even in the face of such tough losses!”
Gabby Haga carded a 42 to lead Ankeny, and Catherine Nelson fired a 45. They both posted a season-best score.
Madalyn Ross had a 47 for the Hawkettes, while Aubree Moeller shot a 52. Tenley Beelner had a 54, and Lydia Gerety added a 60.
The two wins allowed Waukee to finish with a 5-3 record in the conference. The Warriors tied for third place with Valley, which edged Johnston (4-4) by four strokes in another triangular meet at Jester Park.
Dowling’s three-stroke win over Ankeny allowed the Maroons (3-5) to finish sixth in the league. The Hawkettes (2-6) finished in a seventh-place tie with Ankeny Centennial.
Both Ankeny and Centennial will compete in the Southeast Polk Invitational on Thursday at Copper Creek.
“We’re hopeful for (Thursday) and excited to have our regional at Copper Creek too!” Emke said.