The outcome of Tuesday’s dual meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center wasn’t the primary concern for Dustin Rhoads.
The Ankeny girls’ swimming coach just wanted his athletes to enjoy their Senior Night.
“Tonight was all about celebrating our 10 seniors,” Rhoads said after his seventh-ranked squad dropped a 114-72 decision to No. 1 Dowling Catholic. “Senior Night is always something we look forward to as a team. This is a special group, and one that’s been with me from the beginning when I started. I’m just really proud of them, and it’s been so fun to see them improve in the water but also grow as humans and leaders over the years.”
Captains Allie Breuner, Kambelle Subbert and Kylee Stone were among the seniors honored. The others were Lydia Beenen, Isla Corron, Aubri Kendig, Emma Moore, Kenna Parker, AnaMarie Peralta Wignall and Kaden Schmitz.
“I was actually out for a week earlier with some illness and stuff, but this season has flown by so fast,” said Subbert. “It’s crazy.”
Tuesday’s meet began with the diving competition. Subbert placed second with a score of 206.65 points, while Corron took fourth with 196.65.
“I feel like I dove pretty well,” Subbert said. “I kind of just went out there and made it my last meet and had fun with it. I messed up one of my dives, but I still did pretty well and still got second. So overall, I think I did really well.”
Dowling boasts one of the state’s best divers in Mylee Dirks. She won the event with 252.20 points.
“I dove with Mylee in club, and she’s a really good teammate,” Subbert said. “It’s fun to dive with her and now against each other. Overall, it’s just really fun.”
Dowling went on to win 10 of the 12 events. The Maroons swept the top three places in both the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle.
“Obviously, Dowling is very good and ranked No. 1 for a reason,” Rhoads said. “We decided just to have fun and do some different events to see some different things. I think the girls were very relaxed and positive, but still competed hard and put up some good times. Tonight was just a fun and special experience for everyone involved on our team and program.”
Ankeny’s Maggie Blackmore won the 100 freestyle in 56.66. She edged Dowling’s Elena Vaske by .40 seconds.
Allie Kearney later posted another victory in the 100 breaststroke. She was clocked in 1:14.39.
Piper Hedrick earned a pair of runner-up finishes. She posted times of 2:07.13 in the 200 freestyle and 1:05.57 in the 100 backstroke.
Rowen Hutzell took second in the 100 butterfly in a time of 1:05.44. She was followed by teammate Abigail Brugman, who finished third in 1:06.87.
Avery Anderson placed third in the 100 freestyle behind Blackmore, helping Ankeny to outscore the Maroons in that event. She posted a time of 58.80.
Blackmore added a third-place finish in the 50 freestyle in 26.21, while Kearney took third in the 200 freestyle in 2:09.80. Addy Mason finished third in the backstroke in 1:06.97.
Ankeny placed second in all three relay events. The foursome of Brugman, Hutzell, Holland Villhauer and Blackmore posted a time of 1:58.48 in the 200 medley relay.
Brugman and Blackmore also swam on the runner-up 200 freestyle relay. They teamed up with Breuner and Hedrick to post a time of 1:46.15.
Hedrick later combined with Anderson, Hutzell and Kearney in the 400 freestyle relay. That quartet was clocked in 3:56.54.
“I just want to thank the seniors for their time, efforts, hard work and leadership over the years,” Rhoads said. “They trusted and believed in me as their coach, and I will always remember this group. We have had a lot of fun and great memories. Even though this was our last home meet, I am excited for the month ahead and what’s to come. We will have plenty more fast swims and great dives to celebrate!”
The win improved Dowling to 3-1 in the CIML Conference and 19-4 overall. Ankeny’s records dropped to 1-4 and 12-5.
Rhoads’ team will compete in the Johnston Invitational on Saturday at Summit Middle School.
