Kernel girls score runner-up finish at Class AA state golf – Mitchell Republic

SIOUX FALLS — Encouraged to play relaxed golf heading into Tuesday, the Mitchell High School girls golf team held serve near the top of the leaderboard.

The Kernels posted a final two-day score of 643 to claim second place at the Class AA state girls golf tournament at Prairie Green Golf Course on Tuesday, finishing behind state champion Aberdeen Central, which had a cumulative score of 625 to win by 18 strokes. It’s Mitchell’s fifth consecutive top-two state finish dating back to 2021.

While Mitchell shot 316 as a team on the second day, improving from its Day 1 score of 325, the golfers being in unfamiliar positions proved to be a key difference towards making a run at the title.

“It’s a big deal playing for the state championship when you’ve never really been there before,” Kernels head coach Brian Eliason said. “It was a little bit different today because we were spread out, but it was a fun day. They played very respectable out there.”

The conditions across Prairie Green’s par-72 layout made it possible for the golfers in the 72-player field to try to score, with nine of the 10 teams competing for the title improving their scores from Day 1 by at least 10 strokes.

However, the Kernels struggled to find a rhythm on the green during the first nine, with the team only recording three total birdies against Aberdeen’s 10 before factoring in putting. Even while trying to adjust as the round went on and chasing pin locations, each golfer shared a similar mindset to the day.

“It’s just playing your own game,” sophomore Mia Larson said. “Don’t let it bother you if you’re not playing the best compared to the person you’re playing with. Don’t do it for yourself. Do it for the team.”

“We really showed our toughness and determination on the course today,” added junior Maddie Childs. “There was a lot of pressure on us to play our best, but we did everything we could so that was really exciting to see.”

Childs was the highest finishing Kernel golfer at the tournament, shooting a 148 over the two-day event to come in second place, which included a 1-under 71 on Day 2 with three birdies against two bogeys. She was named to the Class AA all-tournament team for the second consecutive year with a top-six finish.

Anna Eliason shot 77-84 to tie for seventh place at 161. Ava Eliason carded a 78 on Day 2 to finish in a tie for ninth at 163. Larson shot a 171 (88-83) to share 18th, Londyn Hajek was 26th at 178 (91-87) and Raegan Sperl came home in a tie for 48th after shooting a 192 (97-95).

In addition to securing the team championship, Aberdeen Central’s Olivia Braun won the individual title, shooting 71-69 to finish at 4-under 140, eight strokes ahead of the field. Spearfish’s Alison Kennedy was third at 152, while Braun’s teammates Emma Dohrer (154) and Kyley Wirebaugh (157) completed the top-five.

Rapid City Stevens claimed third place in the team competition behind the Kernels at 674. Sioux Falls O’Gorman (696) placed fourth while Sioux Falls Jefferson (704) finished in fifth.

Overall, the Kernels are happy with their performance at the tournament, while also knowing it’ll be far from the last time they’ll clash with the Golden Eagles near the top of the leaderboard in the future.

“Second place is very respectable,” coach Brian Eliason said. “We still have a young team and Aberdeen’s team is young too. We’re going to be battling it out with them for a couple more years.”

Blake Durham is a Sports Reporter for the Mitchell Republic, having joined in October of 2023. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in December of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Durham can be found covering a variety of prep and collegiate sports in the area.