SIOUX FALLS – It was a strong day for Northeast Conference golfers during the opening round of the State A Tournament at Bakker Crossing on Monday.

Aberdeen Roncalli’s Claire Crawford and Milbank Area’s Marion Mischel are both tied for ninth after they shot an 87. Groton’s Carly Guthmiller is tied for 19th with a 92.

Olivia Sorlie of Canton has a four-shot lead after carding a 75. Sioux Falls Christian leads the team points.

Crawford played her same steady round as she has all season, according to Cavaliers coach Kerry Brandenburger.

“I was very, very impressed with the way Claire handled herself today. She’s just a very rock steady kid,” Brandenburger said. “She doesn’t get really overly excited. She doesn’t really get down and hard on herself. She is just kind of like water off a duck’s back.”

Brandenburger said the key to Crawford’s game is her approach shots.

“She has learned from last year’s state tournament it’s all in the short game. She’s working very hard on that,” Brandenburger said. “I would say as her coach, what I see as the best part of Claire’s game is her second shot. She hits her irons so, so well.”

Roncalli’s Margaret Anderson is tied for 36th after shooting a 99.

“I was very happy with Margaret as well,” Brandenburger said, noting that it was her first state tournament experience. “I was very excited to see her come out and play very well. She’s starting to find out that it’s in the short game, as well.”

Grace Seyer struggled early and then finished strong during the opening day of play, finishing with a 108. She chopped 14 strokes off her first nine total.

“Grace obviously struggled on the first nine, but came back and played fantastic on the back nine,” Brandenburger said. “That’s how you want to end your first day.”

Action will conclude with the second round today.

To see complete first round results, click on the following link:

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/8523573323496445506