Sabers in fourth at Class AA state golf tournament

SIOUX FALLS -- After day one, Mitchell High School's Kristin Sabers sits in fourth place at the Class AA girls' state golf tournament in Sioux Falls.

Sabers finished her first of two rounds with a 77, three shots back of leaders Halliee Piper, of Watertown, and Megan Mingo, of Yankton.

"She's performing well," Mitchell head coach Mark Horan said of Sabers. "I'm very proud of the way she's done so far."

Sabers' 77 tied her best score of the season, while Mitchell's Macy Miller carded her best score of the year with an 86. Miller finished day one in 14th place.

"Macy and Kristin had great days," Horan said. "They're in great position to maybe medal."

As a team, Horan said Mitchell lost ground on where they expected to finish. The Kernels are in 13th place with a first-round total of 388.

"We played well, but others played even better," Horan said.

Horan said the team's spirits are high as it heads into the final day of competition today in Sioux Falls at Elmwood Course.

"We have a game plan and it seems like a lot of the shots so far are being followed where they're supposed to be," he said.

Horan said conditions could make things more difficult today, as winds of up to 40 mph are expected.

"If that happens, scores are going to go up for everybody," Horan said. "We'll just play it one shot at a time."

(First place and Mitchell only)

Team -- 1. Pierre, 331; 13. Mitchell, 388.

Individual -- 1. Halliee Piper, Watertown 74; 1. Megan Mingo, Yankton 74; 4. Kristin Sabers, MIT 77; 14. Macy Miller, MIT 86; 78.. Allysa Sorenson, MIT 111; 81. Kylie Barington, MIT 114; 87. Taylor Sebert, MIT 117; 92. Madison VanWalleghen, MIT 121.