Kernels boys golf program looks to reload varsity roster

Aug. 17—MITCHELL — As the Mitchell High School boys golf program opens its 2026 season, there are opportunities available for the taking at the top of the roster. Blessed with high levels of continuity and experience in recent years, the Kernels graduated four of the six players they took to the Class AA state tournament in 2025. Of those four, three were regular varsity golfers since they were freshmen. While such dramatic roster turnover presents a new dynamic for MHS, it's brought a welcome side effect: Elevated competition. "There are a lot of guys who think they could, and probably will, end up playing in the top six," said MHS coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt. "That just makes everybody better. Competition is the best motivator, and we have plenty of it." Kreutzfeldt said that from an abnormally large nine-man senior class down to the middle school ranks, there are capable golfers itching to earn their shot at making one of the six varsity roster spots. However, at least two of those top golfers are likely already known, as seniors Asher Dannenbring and Jordan Meyerink are the two returning players from the state tournament roster. Last season, Dannenbring maintained an 18-hole average of 73.1 strokes. Meyerink had an average of 83.3 strokes, but his low round of 74 was fourth-best on the team. Dannenbring, in particular, is coming off a summer filled with success. In June, he captured the South Dakota Golf Association Junior Championship and also won an SDGA Junior Tour tournament. During the first day of MHS qualifiers last week, he fired a round of 64 strokes. "Asher is, in my opinion, already one of the all-time greats for us. He's just played so much and has been so consistent," Kreutzfeldt said. "Of the guys who have a chance of winning state as an individual, he has as good a chance as anybody. Plus, he's playing about as good right now as I've ever seen him play." Earlier this month, Dannenbring, who has been a varsity mainstay for MHS since he was a seventh grader, verbally committed to play college golf at the University of Sioux Falls. With one more season in black and gold, Dannenbring's ultimate goal is to win a state title. "We have less experience on the squad this year, so I want to do my best to be a leader for the guys," Dannenbring said. "I feel good about where my golf game is at, so, hopefully, I can bring home a state individual championship for the Kernels." In the team standings, the Kernels have finished in the top eight at the Class AA state tournament every year since 2021. If they can add another year to that streak, Kreutzfeldt said it will likely have been a successful season. While the Kernels have seven total returning varsity letterwinners — others include seniors Dayton Adams, Mason Moody, Ian Weber and Stratton Zens as well as freshman Memphis Sevareid — no one other than Dannenbring and Meyerink played more than three varsity tournament rounds. Kreutzfeldt said the Kernels' season will come down to how quickly the rising players adjust to the rigors of varsity golf. He also hopes the six-man varsity roster stabilizes as the season goes along and doesn't turn into a revolving door. "It'll be interesting. We're going to play a lot of guys who have never played varsity golf before," Kreutzfeldt said. "In golf, experience is the best thing you can have. We have almost none of it, but there's room for a lot of improvement as the season goes on." The Kernels open the season at the Brandon Valley/Sioux Falls Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 17-18. Mitchell gets a look at this fall's state championship course with a Sept. 1 trip to Aberdeen for the Hub City Invitational at Lee Park Golf Course. The Kernels' home invite is set for Sept. 18 at Lakeview Golf Course. The Eastern South Dakota Conference meet is Oct. 1 at the Brookings Country Club, and the Class AA state championship tournament is Oct. 5-6 back at Lee Park Golf Course in Aberdeen.