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Watertown's Natalie Pearson hits hole-in-one on No. 17 at Pierre's Hillsview Golf Course

roger merriam, watertown public opinion
·4 min read
Riley Zebroski of Watertown follows through with her tee shot on No. 15 during the opening day of the state Class AA girls golf tournament on Monday, June 5, 2023 at the Hillsview Golf Course in Pierre. Zebroski capped her career Tuesday by medaling in the state meet for the third-straight year, leading the Arrows to a fourth-place finish by tying for 15th.

PIERRE — Huron senior Bryn Huber and Mitchell won titles in the state Class AA high school girls golf tournament that ended Tuesday at the Hillsview Golf Course.

Huber shot a 2-under 70 in the final round and tied Mitchell's Allison Meyerink after 36 holes at 145. Huber (75-70—145) then won an on-course playoff over Meyerink (70-75—145) for the individual titles.

Mitchell held on to the win the team championship with a two-day total of 616 (309-307). Aberdeen Central shot the lowest team score of the day (303) and pushed Mitchell before finishing at 619 (316-303). Rapid City Stevens (320-314—634) held off Watertown (325-317) for third place.

The fourth-place finish is the best for the Arrows since they also placed fourth in 2009.

"The girls really came out today with a great mindset and accepted the challenge to be ready to compete," said Watertown head coach Tommy Mattingly. "For the first 9-hole stretch, we posted the best team scores of the day and leapfrogged into third place at one point. I'm extremely proud of their effort and it shows their hard work paid off this season."

Aberdeen Central and Watertown each had only one senior playing in the state tournament. Leah Gough, who medaled by tying for 18th for Aberdeen Central, and Riley Zebroski, who led Watertown by tying for 15th. It's the third time she has medaled at the state meet.

Other medalists for Aberdeen include freshman Olivia Braun (third), freshman Emma Dohrer (tied for ninth) and junior Morgan Jones (12th) for head coach Kim Zimmerman.

Sisters Shelby and Natalie Pearson also medaled for Watertown. Shelby, a junior, tied for 18th and Natalie, a sophomore, tied for 22nd.

Natalie produced one of the highlights of the day when she aced the par-3 No. 17 hole at Hillsview.

""There are many memorable moments to take away from this tournament, but it was certainly exciting to see Natalie have an ace on No. 17," said Mattingly. "Plus her teammates enjoyed that the ice cream tab was on Natalie after the meet.

The top six teams and 25 individuals received awards. Complete results can be found at www.thepublicopinion.com.

The Pearsons, juniors Aspen Reynolds and Avery Palmquist and eighth-grader Gabi Olson will return to lead Watertown next spring. Mattingly, who only served as the team's head coach this season, has resigned from teaching for a new career.

"It's a great way to end your season knowing you played some of your best of your best golf. I wouldn't expect any less from this group as they have always worked hard and been great teammates to each other," he said. "That's always a recipe for success."

Team Scores: 1. Mitchell 309-307—616; 2. Aberdeen Central 316-303—619; 3. Rapid City Stevens 320-314—634; 4. Watertown 325-317—642; 5. (Tie) Sioux Falls Lincoln 339-329—668 and O'Gorman 336-332—669; 7. Yankton 345-344—689; 8. Pierre 352-351—703; 9. Brookings 353-357—710; 10. Sioux Falls Washington 376-353—729; 11. Brandon Valley 390-379—769; 12. Sioux Falls Jefferson 400-381—781.

State Medalists (Top 25): 1. Bryn Huber, Huron, 75-70—145 (won one-hole playoff); 2. Allison Meyerink, Mitchell, 70-75—145; 3. Olivia Braun, Aberdeen Central, 73-75—148; 4. Quinn Dannenbring, Mitchell, 77-72—149; 5. (Tie) Olivia Rink, Huron, 79-71—150 and Lauren Knapp, RC Stevens, 77-73—150; 7. Tanna Phares, RC Stevens, 80-72—152; 8. Erin Hurd, O'Gorman, 79-75—154; 9. (Tie) Emma Dohrer, Aberdeen Central, 79-76—155 and Delilah Fuls, Brookings, 76-79—155; 11. Allison Kennedy, Spearfish, 77-79—156; 12. Morgan Jones, Aberdeen Central, 83-74—157.

13. (Tie) Maddie Childs, Mitchell, 83-75—158 and Ella Homstad, Yankton, 77-81—158; 15. (Tie) Brinly Sanderson, Harrisburg, 82-77—159; Morgan Sandness, SF Lincoln, 83-76—159; and Riley Zebroski, Watertown 78-81—159; 18. (Tie) Megan Christoffels, SF Washington, 82-78—160; Leah Gough, Aberdeen Central, 81-79—160; Shelby Pearson, Watertown, 82-78—160; and Mattie Weidenbach, Harrisburg, 78-82—160; 22. (Tie) Natalie Pearson, Watertown, 83-78—161; and Paydyn Peterson, O'Gorman, 78-83—161; 24. (Tie) Hadley Hart, Pierre, 86-76—162 and Kamryn Shull, RC Stevens, 78-84—162.

Other Watertown Golfers: 28. (Tie) Avery Palmquist 85-80—165 and Gabi Olson 82-83—165; 39. (Tie) Aspen Reynolds 92-84—176.

Other Aberdeen Central Golfers: 31. Kyley Wirebaugh 88-78—186; 39. (Tie) Chloe Vikander 83-93—176.

Final State AA Results: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23836558-final-state-aa-girls?responsive=1&title=1

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on Twitter @PO_Sports

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Aberdeen Central takes second, Watertown fourth in State AA girls golf