Watertown High School’s girls golf team ended a long wait for a state championship last spring. Aberdeen Central hopes to end an even longer wait this spring.
The Arrows held off defending champion Mitchell to win the 2024 state Class AA tournament by three shots, giving Watertown its first state golf championship since winning back-to-back state Class A titles under the old two-class system in 1978 and 1979.
Aberdeen Central finished third, a year after finishing second, and appear primed to make a run at its first-ever state championship in program history this spring.
“Aberdeen Central looks to be the favorite,” Watertown coach Corey Neale said. “Mitchell should have a good team as well.”
Both Watertown and Aberdeen Central are scheduled to kick off their season Thursday at the Harrisburg Invite and will match up again along with Mitchell in a number of meets this spring, including the Eastern South Dakota Conference tournament on Tuesday, May 27, and the state AA tourney June 2-3 at the Prairie Green Golf Course in Sioux Falls.
Taking a look at Watertown
The good news is the Arrows return senior Natalie Pearson, a two-time state medalist, and sophomore Gabi Olson. Pearson tied for 25th last June after tying for 22nd as a sophomore. Olson tied for fifth last spring.
The not-so-good news is that the Arrows must find replacements for three state medalists: Shelby Pearson, tied for fifth; Avery Palmquist, seventh; and Aspen Reynolds, tied for eighth.
Juniors Ally Torgerson, Liv Sherman and Kreu Johnson top the list of players ready to compete for the first time at the varsity level.
“This will be a rebuilding year for us,” Neale said. “Natalie and Gabi will do great things individually this year.”
The Arrows will make their only home appearance of the season when they host the Watertown Invite on Tuesday, May 20, at Cattail Crossing Golf Course.
- Watertown Schedule — Thursday, April 17, at Harrisburg Invite; Tuesday, April 22, at Huron Quad; Tuesday, April 29, at Pierre Invite; Thursday, May 1, at Hub City Invite in Aberdeen; Friday, May 2, at Brandon Valley Invite; Friday, May 9, at Yankton Invite; Friday, May 16, at Mitchell Invite; Tuesday, May 20, host Watertown Invite; Tuesday, May 27, ESD tournament at Brandon; and Monday-Tuesday, June 2-3, State AA tourney at Prairie Green Golf Course, Sioux Falls.
Taking a look at Aberdeen Central
Coach Kim Zimmerman’s Golden Eagles return four state medalists from last year, including junior runner-up Olivia Braun. Junior Emma Dohrer placed 10th, sophomore Kyley Wirebaugh 15th and junior Chloe Vikander 19th.
Junior Kylie Herman is the other upperclassmen listed on the Golden Eagles’ roster along with two eighth graders and four seventh graders.
It’s a solid returning cast that should have Aberdeen Central challenging to end Mitchell’s two-year reign in the ESD while also making a run at its first state championship. The Golden Eagles have four state runner-up finishes in program history (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023).
- Aberdeen Central Schedule — Thursday, April 17, at Harrisburg Invite; Tuesday, April 22, at Huron Quad; Tuesday, April 29, at Pierre Invite; Thursday, May 1, host Hub City Invite at Moccasin Creek Country Club; Friday, May 2, at Valley Invite; Thursday, May 8, at Huron Invite; Friday, May 9, at Yankton Invite; Friday, May 16, at Mitchell Invite; Tuesday, May 20, at Watertown Invite; Tuesday, May 27, ESD tournament at Brandon; and Monday-Tuesday, June 2-3, State AA tourney at Prairie Green Golf Course, Sioux Falls.
Area Class A Girls Golf
Six area teams will again compete in Class A girls golf this spring. Aberdeen Roncalli, Groton Area, Milbank, Redfield, Sioux Valley and Sisseton will each play in Region 1A.
Sioux Falls Christian is the four-time state Class A champion.
The Region 1A tourney is slated for Tuesday, May 27, at Volga. The state Class A tourney will be held June 2-3 at the Madison Golf & Country Club.
Area Class B Girls-Boys Golf
The most notable change this spring in Class B girls and boys golf is the new region alignments with a handful of area teams switching regions.
Region 1B will include area schools Aberdeen Christian, Britton-Hecla, Clark-Willow Lake, Doland, Edmunds Central, Faulkton Area, Florence-Henry, Frederick Area, Great Plains Lutheran, Ipswich, Langford Area, Leola, Warner, Waubay-Summit, Waverly-South Shore, Webster Area and Wilmot.
Area teams in Region 2B are Arlington, Castlewood, De Smet, Deubrook Areea, Deuel, Elkton-Lake Benton, Estelline-Hendricks, Hamlin, Hitchcock-Tulare and Iroquois-Lake Preston.
Aberdeen area teams in Region 5B are Bowdle, Eureka, Herreid, McLaughlin, Mobridge-Pollock, Potter County and Selby Area.
Great Plains Lutheran’s home invite is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, at Cattail Crossing Course. Watertown will also host the Pre-Region 1B and Region 1B tournaments on Mondays, May 12 and 19, respectively.
The Region 2B tourney is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, at Broadland Creek Golf Course in Huron. The Region 5B tourney will be held Monday, May 19, at Hillsview Golf Course in Pierre.
The state B tourneys are scheduled for Monday, June 2-3, at Cattail Crossing Golf Course (boys) and Prairie Winds Golf Club (girls).
Brynn Roehrich of Clark-Willow Lake is the returning state Class B girls champion. Chester is the two-time defending Class B girls champion. Wessington Springs won its first state Class B boys title in 2024.
Keep an eye ahead on a story highlighting some of the top area high school golfers to watch this spring.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com
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