Kernels' Maddie Childs leads girls golf program through consistency in pursuit of lofty goals

In Childs' eyes, that ability comes back around to how much time she puts into practicing her craft.

"Golf is a game where you can't just show up and expect to be good," Childs said. "You have to put in the work both on the course and mentally."

Childs is the latest in a steady stream of collegiate-level golfers produced by the MHS program. She committed to Augustana in January 2025 and signed her letter of intent last fall.

During her time as a Kernel, she's shared the course with standout teammates who went on to college careers such as Masy Mock (Augustana), Quinn Dannenbring (University of Sioux Falls) and Allison Meyerink (Dakota Wesleyan). Current MHS juniors Anna Eliason (Augustana) and Mia Larson (USF) are already set to play in college, too.

Carrying on that tradition of team and individual excellence while also fostering an environment for the next wave of MHS golfers to thrive is a responsibility Childs has taken very seriously, especially as her prep career winds down.

"I didn't really know anyone on the team, and I didn't know anything about competing at the varsity level, but they all took me in, and I was like the little sister on the team, which was a lot of fun. I grew so close to those girls, and that was really important to me and helped me love the game," Childs said of her experience. "Being a leader on this team has been fun, and I just hope I've been someone that everyone can look to as an example. I hope they're seeing what I do with the younger girls and with trying to keep building the program up and that this is what they want to do, too."

While Childs' influence on MHS girls golf has been clear during her six varsity seasons, Coach Eliason believes there's even more to be realized even after she's moved on through the legacy she leaves within the program.

"I think it's extremely important when you have close contact with somebody who has been successful ahead of you, because it opens up your world and makes it easier to succeed and play at that next level. That's certainly been the case here," Eliason said. "When you have a culture like that in Mitchell, like Mitchell does, of having good quality golfers, that culture gets stronger and stronger. That's a testament to what Maddie and those before her have done."

Childs is no stranger to playing rounds under pressure.

She's been to the state tournament five times, and four times, she's left with a top-25 medal. The one time she didn't was as a freshman, narrowly missing out on that distinction with a 27th-place finish. Since then, she's steadily risen in the rankings from 23rd to 13th to third in 2024 and second in 2025.

With three weeks to go in the season, signs point to Childs being in contention for a top finish individually once again. Plus, Mitchell figures to be in the mix as a team, as well.

"She certainly has the game to win a state championship," Eliason said. "She puts plenty of pressure on herself to play and perform at her highest level, so I don't think outside pressure has gotten to her whatsoever."

With one final state tournament looming, Childs hopes she can make the climb to the top step on the podium.

"The goal is to win," Childs said. "I know that's everyone's goal, and it's going to take a lot of work. I definitely have some tough competitors out there who I'll be challenged by, but it's not far off. I know I can do it."