RAPID CITY - Defending champion Sioux Falls Washington is expected to be again among the top contenders for this year's league crown when golfers from eight schools tee off at the Greater Dakota Conference tournament Monday at Rapid City's Meadowbrook Golf Course.

The Warriors return five of six letterwinners from last year's squad, including two top-10 placers from last year's state meet, junior Kyle Cooper and senior Trevor Mathison.

Sioux Falls O'Gorman senior Sam Harr and junior Dylan DeShepper will lead the Knight's hopes, but O'Gorman's title fortunes will hinge on the rest of the line-up.

Rapid City Central will bring a junior- and sophomore-laden team to the hunt, while Rapid City Stevens hopes to better its fourth-place GDC finish from last year with a strong upperclassmen lineup.

Leading the Cobblers will be juniors Eric Brewer and Trevor Kautzman, who carded a 39 on Meadowbrook's challenging greens during last week's Cobbler Triangular. The Raiders are led by seniors David Oberlitner, Max LaCroix, James Samuelson and Taylor Sagen; juniors Josh Pappel, Brogan Pappel, Travis Theel and Casey Ommen; sophomore Taylor Den Hartog and frosh Mac Young.

Sturgis hopes to better its eighth-place finish last year, and is led by seniors Tyler Hinker, Luke Lynass, Chase Williamson and Trevor Potts and sophomore Kyle Kopplin.

Spearfish is led by seniors Carson Wika and David Gannaway, and juniors Nik Graslie and Kolton Claggett.