Ankeny sophomore Madalyn Ross has earned a trip to next week’s girls’ state golf meet.
Ross carded an 81 on Wednesday to place fifth in a Class 4A regional meet at Copper Creek. She led the Hawkettes to a fifth-place finish.
“I was definitely hoping to qualify, but I wasn’t going to be too sad if I didn’t make it considering I’m only a sophomore,” said Ross. “But I am so happy with making it. I feel like I went into the meet just thinking it was going to be like any other day of golf–not that it was regionals. On my first hole I was talking to one of my opponents and we were just saying how we were not going to think of it as a state qualifying regional but just as a normal high school meet.”
Ankeny coach Kelley Emke said Ross’ mental approach paid off for her.
“She had a great mindset and went out and played her game!” Emke said. “The best part was she didn’t pay attention to the score! The surprise at the end made it even sweeter!”
Sisters Kate and Anna Wahman led Southeast Polk to the team title on its home course. Kate carded a 1-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors, while Anna was the runner-up with a 75.
Another pair of sisters, Chloe and Catherine Perfect of Council Bluffs Lewis Central, also qualified for state. They placed fourth and sixth, respectively, with scores of 77 and 82.
Ross finished at 10-over-par to become Ankeny’s first individual qualifier since 2021, when Jaci Webb placed ninth in Class 4A. The state meet will be held May 28-29 at the Waverly Municipal Golf Course.
“I had a couple of double (bogeys) which I didn’t like, but it still turned out great,” Ross said. “The key to my round was definitely hitting my irons like I know I can. I know there were a few holes that I had a three-putt on, which is something I have been working really hard on this season to not have, but even with those I am still very proud of how it turned out.”
The Rams shot a 326 to edge runner-up Waterloo West by four strokes for the team crown. The Wahawks also advanced to state–led by a 75 from third-place finisher Bree Stegall.
Only four strokes separated the next three teams. Lewis Central was third with a 367, followed by Dallas Center-Grimes with a 370 and Ankeny with a 371.
“I am extremely proud of our whole team,” Emke said. “That 371 is our team low for the year, and we had two golfers shoot their best rounds overall! The stats say we got fifth, but we were so close to third!”
Aubree Moeller carded a 91 for the Hawkettes. Gabby Haga fired a 95, Tenley Beelner had a 104, Catherine Nelson shot a 109, and Lydia Gerety finished with a 112.
“We are all going to miss the leadership of Lydia, but we are also excited to have five returning varsity players next year!” Emke said.
