SIOUX FALLS – It was pretty much business as usual for the Aberdeen Central girls’ golf team Monday during the opening day of the Class AA state tournament at Prairie Green Golf Course.

Junior Olivia Braun holds a six-stroke lead on the rest of the field after a 1-under round of 71, while the Golden Eagles have a 10-stroke lead over Mitchell in the team standings.

“It was a good opening day,” said Central coach Kim Zimmerman. “Something to build on for (Tuesday). It’s always nice to go into day two with a lead, but I guess as a coach you never feel that a lead is safe. You still have to go out and play (Tuesday). We’re only halfway through this. A lot of golf to be played yet (Tuesday). But we like where we’re positioned and that’s the goal after day one, to put yourself in a good position for day two, and I think we did that.”

Braun’s round of 71 was a case study in steadiness. The junior never strayed over par throughout the round of 18, resulting in a six-stroke lead over none other than fellow junior Emma Dohrer, who is tied for second with a 5-over 77.

Golden Eagle Kyley Wirebaugh is another three strokes back, sitting sixth with her round of 80.

“The top three players of ours were really good today,” Zimmerman said. “They led us and I’m confident about their ability going into (Tuesday).”

Junior Chloe Vikander rounded out Central’s team score with an 89, putting the Golden Eagles in prime position heading into day two.

“I don’t think the scores really indicate the difficult weather conditions down here,” Zimmerman said. “It got to be pretty warm today, probably in the 90s and the wind picked up throughout the morning. So by the time we made the turn on the back nine, it was pretty difficult. It affects a lot of parts of the game. I don’t think the scores indicate how difficult it was out there once in a while.”

Central holds a 10-stroke lead over Mitchell’s score of 327. Rapid City Stevens is third with a 342.

Zimmerman said the course conditions will likely change by today’s round, including a shift in wind speed and direction. It will be important for the Golden Eagles to maintain focus heading into the final round.

“I think you’re going to see a different golf course,” he said, “and I know Mitchell’s not going to go away. They’re going to keep battling, so we have to go out and take care of business (Tuesday). Approach it like it’s a 0-0 ballgame and we have to be better (Tuesday) than they are.”

The second and final day of golf begins this morning.

Results: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11544451608007956237