PIERRE — On a day the Mitchell High School girls golf team needed a steady performance, Mia Larson rose to the challenge on Tuesday.
Larson’s fourth-place result helped propel the Kernels to a runner-up finish at the Pierre Invitational at Hillsview Golf Course, posting a cumulative score of 315. Firing the low round of the day for the team, Larson posted a 4-over 75 against Hillsview’s par-71 layout, carding 14 pars for her round.
Overall, the Kernels had all six golfers competing finish inside the top-20 out of the 59 golfers in attendance, representing 10 schools. Anna Eliason, Maddie Childs and Londyn Hajek all fired rounds of 80 to finish in 10th, 11th and 12th place, respectively.
In her first appearance at the varsity level this season, Raegan Sperl posted an 87 to finish in 18th for the Kernels. Sperl, along with Hajek and Eliason, were fourth in the field with two birdies carded. Ava Eliason secured a 20th-place finish after a round of 89.
Led by a standout performance from Olivia Braun, Aberdeen Central swept the team and individual titles, winning the team competition with a 309. Braun birdied four of her opening five holes to secure medalist honors with a 4-under 67. Watertown’s Gabi Olson was the runner-up after a 3-over 74 with Aberdeen’s Kyley Wirebaugh (74), Larson and Yankton’s Ellia Homstad (75) completed the top five.
Behind the Golden Eagles and Kernels in the team standings, Rapid City Stevens (338) came in third followed by Yankton (361) and Spearfish (365).
Winner also competed in the event, with Gracie Root scoring the highest individual finish for the Warriors in 15th place after a round of 85.
Mitchell’s next tournament is the Aberdeen Central Invitational, beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, at Moccasin Creek Golf Course.
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.
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