WATERTOWN, S.D. — The Mitchell Kernels capped a strong season with a third-place finish Tuesday at the Class AA State Girls Golf Tournament, while Aberdeen Central captured the team championship at Cattail Crossing Golf Course.
Mitchell finished the two-day tournament at 58-over par, holding onto the third-place position it occupied after the opening round. The Kernels trailed only champion Aberdeen Central, which posted a tournament score of 27-over par, and runner-up O’Gorman at 50-over.
The third-place finish came on the strength of a balanced lineup that placed four golfers among the top 17 individuals.
Maddie Childs led Mitchell with a ninth-place finish. Childs followed her opening-round 75 with an 81 on Tuesday to finish at 12-over-par 156.
Londyn Hajek earned a share of 10th place at 14-over 158 after rounds of 78 and 80. Mia Larson and Brynlee Sabers each finished tied for 13th at 19-over 163. Larson shot rounds of 78 and 85, while Sabers posted scores of 77 and 86.
Anna Eliason delivered one of Mitchell’s best rounds on the final day, improving by four strokes with an 80 to finish 17th overall at 20-over 164. Elliot Smith rounded out the Kernels’ lineup with a two-day total of 200.
Aberdeen Central secured the state championship behind a dominant performance from its lineup. The Golden Eagles placed four golfers among the top 13 finishers and had five players inside the top 44.
Olivia Braun claimed the individual state title, shooting even-par 144 over two rounds. Braun followed an opening-round 72 with another even-par 72 Tuesday to edge O’Gorman’s Ari Jacobs, who finished one stroke back at 145.
Emma Dohrer placed third for Aberdeen Central at 3-over 147, while Kyley Wirebaugh tied for fourth at 5-over 149.
O’Gorman finished second in the team standings at 50-over, eight strokes ahead of Mitchell. Sioux Falls Lincoln placed fourth at 75-over, followed by Brandon Valley at 101-over.
Mitchell’s four top-17 individual finishers helped the Kernels comfortably secure third place, ending the tournament 17 strokes ahead of fourth-place Sioux Falls Lincoln.