ABERDEEN — Despite facing some tough conditions, Huron turned its best round of the season to claim the fifth spot after the opening round of the Class AA State Golf Meet on Monday at Moccasin Creek Country Club.
The four golfers for the Tigers combined to shoot a 364, which puts them just four strokes out of fourth place after the first 18 holes of the 36-hole event.
“We shot our lowest score of the season today, so it was a good day,” Huron coach Chris Rozell said. “However, Day 1 success does not get a plaque, so we must keep pace tomorrow.”
Sioux Falls O’Gorman, which is the defending Class AA girls’ champion, finished at 326 to carry a 16-stroke advantage over second-placed Aberdeen Central into the final round. With a score of 342, the Golden Eagles held a slim edge over Yankton, which shot a 343, for the second spot.
Brandon Valley was fourth at 360, followed by the Tigers at 364 and Sioux Falls Roosevelt at 369.

Karlie Bigelow turned in the best score of the day for Huron with an 87, which placed her in a tie for the 15th spot and put her in contention to earn all-state honors.
Kenya Bigelow shot an 89 for the Tigers to finished tied for 20th, while Jayda Shillingstad carded a 91 to put her No. 27 in the 95-golfer field. Bryn Huber turned in a 97 put her in a tie for 47th.
“The course played tough with the wind and hot temperatures, so the girls did a great job against the field,” Rozell said.
Sioux Falls O’Gorman had three of the top 10 golfers in the opening round, including Sophie Salter, who led the field with a 78. Carly Kunkel and Sophie Jansa were part of a five-way tie for the sixth spot with scores of 82.
Sydney Wirebaugh of Aberdeen Central and Erin Trohkimainen of Rapid City Central shared the second spot with scores of 80, while Cassidy Gough of Aberdeen Central and Morgan Strehl of Yankton had scores of 81 to share the fourth spot.
The final 18-holes on the tournament will be played today.

PHOTOs BY JOHN DAVIS/THE ABERDEEN AMERICAN NEWS
Huron's Karlie Bigelow putts on the second hole at Moccasin Creek Country Club in Aberdeen during Monday's first round of the Class AA State Golf Tournament.

Next, Huron's Jayda Shillingstad watches her tee shot on the third hole at Moccasin Creek Country Club in Aberdeen during Monday's first round of the Class AA State Golf Tournament.