ANKENY — The Marshalltown boys’ golf team struggled to contend against some of the best Class 4A squads in the state, sliding to ninth place at the Ankeny Invite on Wednesday at Otter Creek Golf Course.

The Bobcats shot their season-high score of 341 to fall in ahead of Fort Dodge (345), Urbandale (346) and Des Moines East (468) in the 12-team tournament.

West Des Moines Valley shot a collective 5-under-par total of 279 for the team title, finishing ahead of Dallas Center-Grimes (294) and Dowling Catholic (294). All three rank in the top six in the state for combined adjusted scoring average.

In all, five teams shot better than 300 for the meet.

Marshalltown was led by sophomore Joe Greazel, who tied for 23rd place with his round of 78. Classmate Bryson Payne pitched in with an 86 for 45th place, while senior Trae Misek tied for 48th with his counting score of 87. Parker Christen, a junior, contributed the final round toward the team total with his 90.

Jacob Seberger (92) and Gavin Misek (95) also participated for MHS.

Valley carded three of the top six scores in the event, led by Braeden Nelson’s 8-under round of 63 for medalist honors. C.T. Norris shot 4-under 67 for the runner-up spot, while Eddie Hybels was sixth with an even-par 71.

The Bobcats take a break before returning to action on Sept. 15, traveling to Ames for the Turk Bowman Invite at Veenker Memorial Golf Course.

Ankeny Invite

Otter Creek Golf Course, par 71

Team Standings — 1. West Des Moines Valley 279, 2. Dallas Center-Grimes 294, 3. Dowling Catholic 294, 4. Southeast Polk 295, 5. Ankeny Centennial 297, 6. Ankeny 310, 7. Mason City 313, 8. Ames 331, 9. Marshalltown 341, 10. Fort Dodge 345, 11. Urbandale 346, 12. Des Moines East 468.

Individual (top 10) — 1. Braeden Nelson, VAL, 63; 2. C.T. Norris, VAL, 67; 3. McCoy Miller, AC, 69; 4. AJ Sposato, DC, 70; 5. Carter Mulcahy, SEP, 70; 6. Eddy Hybels, VAL, 71; 7. Palmer Mertz, SEP, 71; 8. Chase Perrin, ANK, 72; 9. Gavin Ross, ANK, 72; 10. Nathan Berkley, MC, 73.

MARSHALLTOWN (341) — Joe Greazel 78, Bryson Payne 86, Trae Misek 87, Parker Christen 90, Jacob Seberger 92, Gavin Misek 95.