The Ankeny girls’ golf squad shot a season-best 378 and placed sixth among 12 teams in the opening round of the CIML Conference Invitational on Monday at Beaver Creek, while Ankeny Centennial posted a 385 total and finished ninth.
Two-time defending champion Waukee Northwest carded a 329 and holds a 12-stroke lead over Southeast Polk, which posted a 341 total. Johnston is a distant third with a 365.
The second round of the tournament will be played at Copper Creek, but only the nine teams from the CIML Conference will compete on Wednesday. The three Alliance Conference schools–Ames, Marshalltown and Ottumwa–only participated in Monday’s event.
That means Ankeny sits in fifth place heading into the final round, just one stroke behind Valley.
“It was definitely a battle, and we’re so excited to be fifth after day one but within striking distance of even more!” said Ankeny coach Kelley Emke. “It was a long, hot seven-hour round so I’m proud that they stuck with it and got that team score!”
Centennial coach Marty Kiepe, whose team sits in seventh place, said the conditions should have benefitted the Jaguars.
“It’s hard to blame any errant shots on the cold and rain today!” he said. “It was easily the best weather day we’ve had this year.”
Northwest’s Adalyn Wiig sits atop the individual leaderboard after firing a 6-over-par 78. She leads by one stroke over Anna Wahman of Southeast Polk.
Five other golfers are within five shots of the lead, including Centennial’s Cate Trewet. She carded an 82 and sits in fifth place.
“It was almost a really good round!” said Trewet. “I had some trouble on the south course, but I played the west course very steady. I’m happy with how I finished, and I really do think it’s anyone’s game right now! I’m definitely looking to carry some of that consistency into Wednesdays round at Copper!”
Trewet began her round with birdies on two of her first four holes.
“Cate had it going for a while,” Kiepe said. “Then she was able to weather the storm of the back nine, the more difficult south course, and finished strong. I know she felt like she left a few (shots) out there, but we were happy looking at that scoreboard and seeing her only four strokes back heading into Wednesday.”
Ankeny was led by the duo of Aubree Moeller and Madalyn Ross. They each shot an 89 and will begin Wednesday’s round in 11th and 12th place, respectively.
Catherine Nelson fired a 98 for the Hawkettes. Gabby Haga shot a 102, Tenley Beelner had a 120, and Lydia Gerety finished with a 123.
Teagan Skinner carded a 92 for the Jaguars, matching the personal best that she shot at Jester Park on May 4.
“Teagan continues to get better as the year goes on and helped the team a bunch today,” Kiepe said. “She was able to do a lot of damage control and not post anything higher than a double, avoiding the big numbers.”
Centennial’s Kyler Jones fired a 105. Madi Trosper had a 106, Maddy Gochoel shot a 107, and Gretta Borich added a 110.