SIOUX FALLS -- Mitchell High School junior Kristin Sabers hit the farthest drive of her life Tuesday at the Class AA state girls' golf tournament at Elmwood Golf Course.
"Hole No. 7, into the wind, I drove the green about 330 yards," said Sabers, who finished the day with a score of 79 and a two-day total of 156 to take third overall in the individual standings. "I ended up birdieing the hole."
Sabers finished three shots behind the individual champion, Pierre's Hallie Getz, who carded a two-day score of 153. Yankton's Megan Mingo was second with a 154.
On Monday, Sabers recorded a 77, a score she's shot three times this season. On Tuesday, conditions weren't as favorable, but she was the Kernels' top scorer and finished with her best place at state in her career, playing in winds gusting up to 40 mph.
Last year, Sabers took eighth place. Tuesday, she was named to the all-tournament team for the first time, qualifying as one of the top six golfers in the tournament.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The driver was on for her," said Mitchell girls' golf coach Mark Horan, whose team finished in 13th place with a two-day score of 774. "Every part of her game was good. She's one of the best golfers in the state, and I think she prepared well for this tournament. She played three practice rounds and executed the game plan."
Sioux Falls O'Gorman won the team championship with a 671, Pierre came in second with a 674 and Yankton was third with a 682.
Mitchell's Macy Miller finished in a tie for 12th place. The sophomore shot an 86 on the first day and improved her score by one stroke Tuesday with an 85.
"She just kept grinding," Horan said. "Just like in basketball, she's a gamer."
Other individuals for Mitchell were freshmen Kylie Barington and Madison VanWalleghen and sophomores Allysa Sorenson and Taylor Sebert.
Barrington shot a 109 on Tuesday, five strokes better than her day-one score to finish with a 223 and in 82nd place. Sorenson finished with a two-day 226 to tie for 83rd, Sebert had a two-day 230 to tie for 85th and VanWalleghen tied for 88th with a total score of 235.
Horan said he's excited about the future of the Mitchell girls' golf team.
"It was an enjoyable year and fun working with the girls and helping them get better," he said.
