After shooting its worst score of the season on Wednesday, the Ankeny boys’ golf team got a much-needed boost of confidence 24 hours later.
The Hawks posted a season-best score of 302 in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Thursday at Otter Creek. They lost to fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest (290) while easily defeating Urbandale (325).
“It is always good to follow up your worst round with your best,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld. “I was very happy with the huge improvements that we made today. It did help that we were on our home course, but it definitely gave us some confidence and that is what we needed.”
Drew Boyd carded a 2-over-par 73 to lead Ankeny, which is now 3-3 in the conference. Drake Shadwick fired a 74, Oliver Bormann had a 77, and Trey Huynh added a 78.
It marked the first time this season that the Hawks posted four scores in the 70s.
“That shows the guys what we are capable of,” Weddingfeld said. “We did a better job of limiting those mistakes today, and our scores showed that.”
Ankeny also got improved play from its other two golfers. Charlie McHose shot an 82, and Ashton Weddingfeld finished with an 83.
Those two were coming off a tough round in the Southeast Polk Invitational at Copper Creek, where they both posted scores in the 90s.
“All six of the varsity guys really improved from (Wednesday) so it shows our resiliency as a team,” Weddingfeld said.
Northwest’s Kohen Essing shot a 67 to earn medalist honors, finishing three strokes ahead of teammate Grant Sorrel. The Wolves improved to 4-0 in the league.
Jace Yager carded a 77 to lead Urbandale. The J-Hawks finished with a 1-7 record in the conference.
The Hawks will host another triangular on Monday to close out their CIML regular-season schedule. No. 8 Waukee (3-1) and No. 9 Dowling Catholic (5-1) will be the opponents at Otter Creek, beginning at 9 a.m.
“I am glad that we get to play our home course again to hopefully boost our confidence even more, but we talked after the round today that we need to figure out how to take our home course confidence on the road these last few meets of the season,” Weddingfeld said. “As I have said all season, I have a great group of guys that continue to work hard and handle adversity well.”
