With four of the top six players returning from last year’s squad, the Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf team has a strong nucleus to build around.
But heading into the team’s tryouts on Monday and Tuesday, Centennial coach Andrew Reedy said that there are no guaranteed spots in the Jaguars’ lineup.
“We have four guys who all made the varsity for a majority of our events last season,” said Reedy. “This is the nucleus of the team, but they will be pushed by a lot of hungry teammates looking to contribute.”
Centennial posted a 2-6 record in the CIML Conference a year ago. McCoy Miller qualified for the Class 4A state meet as an individual, but the Jaguars failed to advance as a team after qualifying in each of the previous two years.
Both Miller and Tiernan Logan graduated, but seniors Everett Bloyer and Kinnick Nelson are back along with junior Colby Zinn and sophomore Bennett Lewis.
“The kids have been working hard all summer, and I am proud of the way they have approached the offseason,” Reedy said. “The message is always, ‘There is only one way to get better,’ and they seem to have embraced the necessary commitment to improvement.”
Bloyer placed third on the team last season with a 40.0 average. He was followed closely by Zinn (40.1), Lewis (40.4) and Nelson (40.7).
Bloyer took fourth in last year’s Jesse Peck Invitational at Briarwood Golf Club with a 72. He led Centennial to a third-place finish.
Nelson shot a 70 to earn runner-up honors at the Fort Dodge Invitational. He led the way as the Jaguars earned a third-place finish.
Lewis took 12th in the Southeast Polk Invitational at Copper Creek with a 75. He helped Centennial to a sixth-place finish.
Zinn placed 17th in the conference meet at Beaver Creek with a 75. He led the Jaguars to a seventh-place finish.
“Each of them has competed in multiple events during the summer,” Reedy said. “I have seen a lot of improvements in their games, and they have had some success in tournaments.”
Lewis won an Iowa PGA Junior Tour event at Otter Creek. He shot an even-par 71.
Nelson carded a 1-under-par round to finish second in a tournament at Lake Panorama. Zinn had a 1-under 70 to tie for third in another event at Otter Creek.
Ricky Beckwith and Charlie Knoll are two others who have enjoyed some success this summer. Beckwith fired a 1-under 71 to win an Iowa PGA Junior Tour event at Blank, while Knoll shot a 72 to tie for second in the event that Lewis won.
“Ricky is a senior and has not cracked the varsity lineup the previous two years, but he has played a lot of events and has had a wonderful summer,” Reedy said.
Centennial will open the season on Aug. 17 by competing in the Warrior Invitational at Glen Oaks Country Club.
“I am very excited for the season as I believe our group has put in the necessary work to enjoy some success,” Reedy said. ” I have seen some kids working really hard in the offseason.”
Reedy is hoping that the hard work will eventually lead to a state tournament berth. The Jaguars missed qualifying last year by just four strokes.
“When it comes to our potential, this team has an incredible amount of it,” Reedy said. “The goal is always the postseason, and this year is no different. I believe you earn the right to set lofty goals through your work in the offseason. This group has definitely earned the right to set some big goals!”