The Ankeny High senior has broken through the school's records.
In a program with a legacy as strong as Ankeny — which has seven summer state titles since 1978 — it can be tough to crack the record books.
That's what makes Peyton Daugherty’s revision of the Hawks’ books even more stunning.
The senior has been Ankeny’s shortstop since eighth grade, and in that time has amassed a litany of records. Coming into this season, she held most hits in a season at 86, most hits in a career at 246, most steals in a season at 53 and most steals in a career at 120.
Daugherty’s .619 batting average last season was the best in Iowa. She’s a hit machine, and she’s really fast.
This season, Daugherty is again posting prolific numbers. Through 14 games, she’s batting .522 and has swiped 11 bases.
It’s great to have one of the state’s elite players on your team, it’s even more helpful to have a talented bunch surrounding that player.
Kennedy Thompson, a senior first-baseman, has been piecing together a tremendous career and season for the Hawks, as well. As the mid-season point approaches, Thompson is among the state’s leaders in home runs.
On the mound, the Hawks are featuring junior Paige Jacobsen. She’s off to a hot start, with a 6-2 record and 2.60 ERA. Other pitchers are helping out: Shelbie Chambers, Marina Smith, Sophie Buttjer and Thomas have all contributed on the mound.
But for now, it’s Jacobson that Bingham says could carry this talented bunch as far as another state title.
With an elite hitter and base-stealer, some power and a gamer on the mound, this Hawks team is feeling confident as they head into the latter half of the season.
Olivia Brown moved to Ankeny from Atlanta in 2013, and that worked out well for Ankeny Centennial.
The Jags’ senior soccer-standout scored seven goals all season long, and four of those came in a three-game flurry in one week at the state championship. The last goal of the Jags’ season was scored by Brown, during a 3-2 state title win over Ankeny.
What perhaps is most impressive about that week-long offensive outburst is that Brown is a defensive player.
“Going to state, you have to give everything you have, every game," Brown said. "It’s a win or go-home situation, and I took that really personally. I knew I didn't want to let my team down on defense, but I wanted on contribute on offense, too."
Brown was good enough this season to be named an elite all-state member by the Des Moines Register, along with fellow Centennial defender Tori Ubben. Alexis Legg, from Ankeny, was also named to the 11-person team.
If making the elite all-state team wasn’t enough, Brown — who will play college ball at the University of Nebraska — is one of three finalists for the Des Moines Register’s player of the year award.
Her Iowa Rush teammate, Newton’s Anna Forsythe, is also a finalist in addition to Valley’s Libby Helverson.
“It’s just a privilege because it shows the work the team provided for me to be able to get to that position and get that accomplishment," Brown said.
The Des Moines Register Sports Awards will take place June 23 at Wells Fargo Arena.