By Matt Gade

605 Sports

NORTH SIOUX CITY — After a state championship a season ago, the St. Thomas More Cavaliers knew they had the pieces to claim a second straight title.

On Tuesday the Cavaliers did just that as sophomore Kailtin Strain and senior Rylan Horning finished 2-3 in the individual standings to lead the team to a victory over second place Dakota Valley. 

St. Thomas More finished with a team score of 606 (+46) while Dakota Valley finished with 622 (+62) and third-place Vermillion at 626 (+66).

“It's something that they knew at the end of last year that they thought they had a chance to repeat,” St. Thomas More head coach Brandon Kandolin said. “Even after last year was over, in the summertime, they all worked on their game, participated in other events, and we're dedicated to wanting to have that opportunity to repeat and to be able to do it is very special.”

St. Thomas More’s Strain finished one-under-par for the meet (139) just behind Dakota Valley’s Katie Betsworth (138). Horning finished at one over par (141) for the meet after coming into day two of the tournament two-strokes over. 

“I think we executed, we came in today thinking the score was 0-0 with no expectations that we had a big lead or anything,” Horning said. “We got the job done.”

On Tuesday, Horning came out on fire as St. Thomas More head coach Brandon Kandolin said, as the defending Class A state champion shot a 6-under par on the front nine before a few holes got to her on the back nine. 

All-in-all, Kandolin said his team knew what they needed to do to be in the hunt for the team title. 

“The girls showed up and played and were consistent, and that's what's important for this part of it, but I also think that being able to manage their game well and not really give up a lot of big scores here and there was pretty crucial,” Kandolin said. “They deal with the results, and you know, I love that Rylan (Horning) worked hard, she made a big run, big push right away this morning, and then a couple of par threes got to her, and that's just golf. Kate (Strain) was extremely even, not a lot of bad shots out of her at all, and was able to manage her game and get up and down when she needed to.”

Rounding out the scoring for the Cavaliers were Mara Wilkening at 21st (162) and Finley Young at 23 (164). Senior Amity Strand was the Cavaliers other golfer finishing 39 (179).

In her time with St. Thomas More, Horning won the Class A individual state title in 2023 and 2025 while also helping lead the Cavaliers to their first-ever team title a season ago.

Kandolin said Horning and the Cavaliers other senior, Strand, have left a strong impact on the Cavaliers’ program.

“The experience that they brought in, and how good they are with the younger girls, and the camaraderie they have. This is always just such a special time when you get to travel, and they get to spend all that time with each other,” Kandolin said. “It's been so fun to be a part of it.” 

Horning will continue her golf career next year at South Dakota State University, while Strand is playing tennis at the University of Sioux Falls.

“It's been really impactful. I'm going to miss it greatly,” Horning said. “Never would I have expected this when I was just a little seventh grader out here, but I'm glad I got it done. Now I’m ready to go to the next level.”

Team Scores: 1. St. Thomas More, +46; 2. Dakota Valley, +62; 3. Vermillion, +66; 4. Sioux Falls Christian, +70; 5. Aberdeen Roncalli, +95; 6. Madison, +120; 7. West Central, +163; T-8. Chamberlain, +175; T-8. Sioux Valley, +175; 10. Winner, +182; 11. Rapid City Christian, +191; 12. Belle Fourche, +212; 13. Hot Springs, +227; 14. Mount Vernon/Plankinton, +303.