SIOUX FALLS – Life is crowded atop the Class A State Golf Tournament following the opening round at Bakker Crossing in Sioux Falls on Monday.

Just two strokes separates the top 11 golfers, while Sioux Falls Christian has opened a sizeable lead in team points. The Chargers take a 21-stroke lead into today’s second round.

Aberdeen Roncalli is in sixth place following a rough start to the tournament. However, the Cavaliers were able bounce back and are now just two strokes out of fifth.

“Not the start we wanted. A lot of good things to build today for (Tuesday),” said Roncalli coach Jon Murdy. “Hoping the girls could bounce back (Tuesday).”

There is a three-way tie for first in the individual race. Tori Peterson of Sioux Falls Christian, Hayden Thorton of Rapid City Christian, and Kaitlyn Strain of St. Thomas More each shot a 77 during the opening round. Four other golfers are one shot off the pace, while four other golfers are two strokes back.

The top area golfer on Monday was Elliot Hortness of Sisseton who fired an 83. Groton’s Carly Guthmiller is tied for 18th with an 84, and Roncalli’s Claire Crawford is tied for 22nd with an 87.

The majority of the Cavaliers were packed up within a couple of strokes of each other.

Grace Seyer is tied for 34th with a 94, teammate Morgan Helms is tied for 47th just one stroke back, and Mackenzie Wegehaupt is tied for 49th with a 96. Ava Danielson shot a 103.

“They all have small goals to improve (Tuesday). It’s hard to get the girls to realize that they are really good at this game,” Murdy said. “And once they start to understand and believe it, then we are going to be really good as a team.”

Today’s final round will feature a bit of unique start to try and beat a forecast that calls for inclement weather.

“Going to be different starting in a shotgun (Tuesday) for state,” Murdy said. “It will help us to get the event in before a storm comes.”

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

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/10492096083595908709