Black Hills State women's golf and interim head coach Randy Doran are pleased to announce a new signee heading to Spearfish in 2024.
 
Makaela Swanson
"Makaela is our first signee for the class of 2024; her talent and accomplishments during her high school career put her toward the top of our prospect list early on," said Doran.
 
"I'm excited to see all of the hard work she has put into her game and to continue to add to her accolades in her final season of high school golf this spring. We cannot wait until Makaela joins our program next fall."
 
Swanson currently attends Northfield High School, where she has played varsity golf all four years of her high school career. In her time at Northfield, Swanson earned First Team All-Conference accolades through all four years and Second Team All-State in her four seasons.
 
The five-foot-eight high school senior recently played at the First Tee Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach with PGA Tour Pro Estaban Toledo. In her prior three years, Swanson has made and played in all State Championship tournaments and is a two-time league MVP, which she earned in consecutive seasons. During her junior season, Swanson recorded a career-best round score of 68 (-4) while she won the JGAC series championship in her freshman campaign. 
 
Intending to major in marketing once she arrives on BHSU's campus in 2024, Swanson wishes to pursue a career in social media marketing post-graduation. Currently ranked 175^th out of her class of 350, Swanson, a member of Academic High Honors at Northfield High, holds an unweighted 3.4 GPA.
 
Makaela is the daughter of Kris and Beth Swanson and sister of Hunter Swanson. Her brother, Hunter, plays collegiate golf as a member of the University of Colorado – Boulder men's team.