SIOUX FALLS — The seeds for Olivia Sorlie’s state championship were planted five years ago. 

In 2017, Canton captured the Class A state championship and it left a lasting impression on Sorlie, who was then a middle schooler. 

“I practiced with the team my sixth-grade year and they won the championship that year,” Sorlie said. “So it really just opened my eyes and I wanted it.”

On Tuesday, Sorlie accomplished her goal and became Canton’s first individual Class A state champion since Kylie Gaughenbaugh in 2011. Sorlie shot a 13-over-par 155, edging Flandreau’s Keva Burshiem (156) and Beresford’s Maiya Muller (157) for the state championship at Bakker Crossing Golf Course. 

“I am so excited,” Sorlie added. “You work for it your whole life. So for it to finally happen — it’s incredible.” 

Sorlie shot a 75 on Monday and held a four-shot lead over St. Thomas More’s Rylan Horning, while Muller was five off the pace. 

How did Sorlie feel about her four-shot lead?

“Nervous,” Sorlie admitted. “Having the lead, it’s like you have extra pressure on you. But you want to go out and play good, like always and then don’t worry about anything else.”

Canton's Olivia Sorlie putts as a group of supporters watch at the Class A girls golf tournament on Tuesday at Bakker Crossing Golf Course. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

While Horning and Muller were within striking distance, Burshiem put the most pressure on Sorlie. After shooting an 82 on Monday, Burshiem surged into contention with a tourney-best 74 on Tuesday. Sorlie carded an 80 on Tuesday. 

On the back nine, Sorlie bogeyed holes 12-through-14 and Burshiem parred holes 13-through-15 to even it up with three to go. 

However, Burshiem’s second shot on No. 16 splashed into a water hazard and she took a double bogey. Sorlie bogeyed the same hole and she hit a clutch tee shot on the par-3 No. 17 hole. 

Sorlie’s tee shot settled close to the hole and she two-putted for a par. Burshiem, meanwhile, bogeyed as Sorlie took a two-shot lead into No. 18. 

“I saw Keva hit a good shot and I knew I had to get a good shot back,” Sorlie said about No. 17. “So I just did my routine and it worked out.”

Flandreau's Keva Burshiem putts at the at the Class A girls golf tournament on Tuesday at Bakker Crossing Golf Course. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

On No. 18, Burshiem parred to finish one back of Sorlie, who bogeyed and shortly afterward celebrated with a host of family and friends. 

“It was exciting,” Sorlie said about her emotions afterward. “I wanted to go hug everybody.”

 She also accomplished the feat against an elite field of golfers. Muller was last season’s Class A state champ, while five of the top-eight finishers from 2021 were also in the field. 

“They’ve been competition since seventh-grade,” Sorlie said. “So it’s pretty cool being on top.” 

Sioux Falls Christian's Sydney Tims watches a tee shot at the Class A girls golf tournament on Tuesday at Bakker Crossing Golf Course. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Chargers capture second straight Class A title

Sioux Falls Christian claimed its second consecutive Class A state championship on Tuesday.

Entering Tuesday, the Chargers held a two-shot lead over region foe Vermillion, 352-354. Sioux Falls Christian shaved 11 strokes off its score, while Vermillion cut seven off its score to get within striking distance. 

Sioux Falls Christian’s Sydney Tims (168) and Cecelia VanDenTop (169) powered the team title with a pair of top-six finishes. Claire Lamfers (180) and Aubrie Van Beek (181) finished 14th and 16th, respectively. 

Vermillion was paced by Kensie Mulheron, who finished in eighth place with a 172. Stephanie Carr (176) was just behind in ninth place, while Megan Brady (179) and Emma Willert (179) were tied for 12th place. 

Team scores: 1. Sioux Falls Christian, 693; 2. Vermillion, 701; 3. Canton, 730 4. Winner Area, 768; 5. Madison, 772; 6. West Central, 780; 7. St. Thomas More, 791; 8. Sioux Valley, 813; 9. Dell Rapids, 820; 10. Mobridge-Pollock, 901; 11. Custer, 907; 12. Belle Fourche, 933; Chamberlain, DNF. 

Individual Results: 1. Olivia Sorlie, Canton, 155; 2. Keva Burshiem, Flandreau, 156; 3. Maiya Muller, Beresford, 157; 4. Rylan Horning, St. Thomas More, 162; 5. Sydney Tims, Sioux Falls Christian, 168; T-6. Claire Crawford, Aberdeen Roncalli, 169; T-6. Cecelia VanDenTop, Sioux Falls Christian, 169; 8. Kensie Mulheron, Vermillion, 172; T-9. Stephanie Carr, Vermillion, 176; T-9. Marion Mischel, Milbank, 176;

11. Julia Steffensen, Sioux Valley, 177; T-12. Megan Brady, Vermillion, 179; T-12. Emma Willert, Vermillion, 179; T-14. Claire Lamfers, Sioux Falls Christian, 180; T-14. Elise Hajek, Elk Point-Jefferson, 180; 16. Aubrie Van Beek, Sioux Falls Christian, 181; T-17. Abby Greenhoff, Dell Rapids, 182; T-17. Kaitlin Tracy, Vermillion, 182; T-17. Izzy McNaughton, Tea Area, 182; T-20. Dakotah Larson, West Central, 183;

T-20. Tori Peterson, Sioux Falls Christian, 183; T-20. Lyric Riepma, West Central, 183; T-23. Eleni Sims, Madison, 186; T-23. Devan Dougherty, Winner Area, 186; 25. Madison Buenger, Elk Point-Jefferson, 187; T-26. Carly Guthmiller, Groton Area, 188; 28. Rylee Root, Winner Area, 189; T-29. Gracie Root, Winner Area, 190; T-29. Caitlyn Cradduck, Sioux Valley, 190; T-29. Julian Seeley, Beresford, 190; T-29. Alyvia Trumm, Canton, 190; T-29. Ellery Jansen, Canton, 190;

T-34. Trey Speer, Chamberlain, 192; T-34. Ashlee Sweeter, Lennox, 192; T-36. Amity Strand, St. Thomas More, 193; T-36. Alison Vacanti, Madison, 193; 38. Gracie Oakley, Parkston, 194; 39. Margaret Anderson, Aberdeen Roncalli, 195; 40. Allyson Kattke, Hot Springs, 196;

41. Landree Meister, Canton, 197; 42. Lexi Squier, Dakota Valley, 198; T-43. Kaylee Olson, West Central, 199; T-43. Kayla Neugebauer, Parkston, 199; T-43. Olivia Flemming, Madison, 199; 46. Abby Palmquist, Madison, 201; T-47. Elliot Hortness, Sisseton, 202; T-47. Natalie Kelsey, Chamberlain, 202; T-49. Julie Dossett, Madison, 203; T-49. Kelbi Meiners, Winner Area, 203;

T-51. Jayme Schmidt, Dell Rapids, 204; T-51. Jaida Jacobs, Little Wound, 204; T-51. Charlie Stamper, St. Thomas More, 204; T-54. Natalie Berg, Dell Rapids, 206; T-54. Leila Balisger, Winner Area, 206; T-56. Grace Seyer, Aberdeen Roncalli, 207; T-56. Tobi Carlow, Lakota Tech, 207; 58. Brooklyn Wiebe, Canton, 208; 59. Chloe Schmoker, Belle Fourche, 211;

T-60. Laryn Stevens, Sioux Valley, 213; T-60. Lauryn Robb, Custer, 213; 62. Blaire Eberhard, West Central, 215; T-63. Cadee Peltier, Mobridge-Pollock, 216; T-63. Kanyen Mousseaux Begay, Lakota Tech, 216; 65. Stephanie Buchman, Tri-Valley, 217; T-66. Gabby Zimmer, Mobridge-Pollock, 219; T-66. Shauna Zacher, Custer, 219; 68. Jordyn Conlon, Hot Springs, 223; 69. Avery Haskell, Dell Rapids, 228;

T-70. Kayla Blankhartz, Mobridge-Pollock, 232; T-70. Paetyn Carlin, St. Thomas More, 232; T-72. Quinn Lewison, Custer, 234; T-72. Denali Larson, Belle Fourche, 234; T-72. Haylee Bohnet, Sioux Valley, 234; 75. Claire Heil, Mobridge-Pollock, 237; 76. Arienna Mound, Mobridge-Pollock, 240; 77. Maddie Meyer, Custer, 241; 78. Reagan Hatling, Belle Fourche, 242; 79. Keyra Kruse, Sioux Valley, 245; 80. Jordyn Uphoff, Custer, 246;

81. Michelle Hanson, St. Thomas More, 248; T-82. Ayden Kummer, Belle Fourche, 250; T-82. Tia Williamson, Belle Fourche, 250; T-82. Gayle Thompson, Lead-Deadwood, 250; 85. Emma Taubert, Dell Rapids, 256; Altamirano Sequoia, Chamberlain, NS.