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Apr. 5—MITCHELL — Five straight years as a top-two team in Class AA speaks to high levels of achievement and consistency within the Mitchell High School girls golf program.
The Kernels expect more of the same this spring.
Behind an experienced core of varsity players, the Kernels are aiming to hit the ground in stride as they pursue a state championship, a goal they feel is well within their reach.
"We have a really, really strong team," said coach Brian Eliason, who's in his second season leading the program. "We should be an even better team than we were last year."
From last year's roster, Mitchell returns six of its top eight varsity golfers, including its top three based on average round score.
Headlining the talented crew of returners is Maddie Childs, an Augustana women's golf signee and the lone senior holdover. As a junior, Childs led the Kernels with a 77-stroke average and a season-best of 70 on the way to an individual runner-up finish at the state tournament.
"Maddie's senior leadership will be hugely important," Eliason said. "She's a really hard worker who's been on varsity since seventh grade. She's certainly a very valuable member of our team, and she's going to be great for us. She's a powerhouse."
Not far behind is the junior tandem of Anna Eliason and Mia Larson, who maintained average round scores of 79.3 strokes and 81.1 strokes, respectively. Eliason took seventh place and Larson was 18th individually at last season's state tournament.
Also back in the mix for Mitchell this spring are sophomore Londyn Hajek (86.7), junior Presley Meyerink (103.5) — last year's Eastern South Dakota Conference junior varsity champion — and sophomore Elliot Smith (105). Brian Eliason also pointed to the trio of Emma Reinesch, Kate Schutz and Rorey Koch as individuals who could challenge for varsity time this season.
"We have good players," Brian Eliason said. "I see the lineup as similar to what it was last year, but we certainly have the capability of filling a bigger team than six varsity spots."
Reigning Class AA champion Aberdeen Central figures to be among Mitchell's top competition again this season, as the Golden Eagles similarly return seven varsity golfers, led by individual state champion Olivia Braun.
"These girls have been extremely hungry to beat Aberdeen and everyone else, and they're certainly not scared of anybody," Eliason said. "You can't teach that or coach that. They're just so competitive, and they want to win.
"We should certainly have a shot at the state title, and we know we can compete with (Aberdeen)," he added. "We just have to put a couple of really good rounds together to beat them. We're going to work hard to try to get it done."
If the current schedule holds, Mitchell opens its season at Harrisburg on April 16. Mitchell is set to host its home invitational on May 15 at Lakeview Golf Course. The ESD Conference meet is May 26 at Moccasin Creek Country Club in Aberdeen. The Class AA state championship tournament is set for June 1-2 at Cattail Crossing Golf Course in Watertown.
Continue reading...
The Kernels expect more of the same this spring.
Behind an experienced core of varsity players, the Kernels are aiming to hit the ground in stride as they pursue a state championship, a goal they feel is well within their reach.
"We have a really, really strong team," said coach Brian Eliason, who's in his second season leading the program. "We should be an even better team than we were last year."
From last year's roster, Mitchell returns six of its top eight varsity golfers, including its top three based on average round score.
Headlining the talented crew of returners is Maddie Childs, an Augustana women's golf signee and the lone senior holdover. As a junior, Childs led the Kernels with a 77-stroke average and a season-best of 70 on the way to an individual runner-up finish at the state tournament.
"Maddie's senior leadership will be hugely important," Eliason said. "She's a really hard worker who's been on varsity since seventh grade. She's certainly a very valuable member of our team, and she's going to be great for us. She's a powerhouse."
Not far behind is the junior tandem of Anna Eliason and Mia Larson, who maintained average round scores of 79.3 strokes and 81.1 strokes, respectively. Eliason took seventh place and Larson was 18th individually at last season's state tournament.
Also back in the mix for Mitchell this spring are sophomore Londyn Hajek (86.7), junior Presley Meyerink (103.5) — last year's Eastern South Dakota Conference junior varsity champion — and sophomore Elliot Smith (105). Brian Eliason also pointed to the trio of Emma Reinesch, Kate Schutz and Rorey Koch as individuals who could challenge for varsity time this season.
"We have good players," Brian Eliason said. "I see the lineup as similar to what it was last year, but we certainly have the capability of filling a bigger team than six varsity spots."
Reigning Class AA champion Aberdeen Central figures to be among Mitchell's top competition again this season, as the Golden Eagles similarly return seven varsity golfers, led by individual state champion Olivia Braun.
"These girls have been extremely hungry to beat Aberdeen and everyone else, and they're certainly not scared of anybody," Eliason said. "You can't teach that or coach that. They're just so competitive, and they want to win.
"We should certainly have a shot at the state title, and we know we can compete with (Aberdeen)," he added. "We just have to put a couple of really good rounds together to beat them. We're going to work hard to try to get it done."
If the current schedule holds, Mitchell opens its season at Harrisburg on April 16. Mitchell is set to host its home invitational on May 15 at Lakeview Golf Course. The ESD Conference meet is May 26 at Moccasin Creek Country Club in Aberdeen. The Class AA state championship tournament is set for June 1-2 at Cattail Crossing Golf Course in Watertown.
Continue reading...
