Warren Central was eyeing its first state championship, St. Aloysius its second in a row, and everyone was keeping a sharp lookout on the weather after one day of the MHSAA girls Class I and Class III Golf Championships at Clear Creek Golf Course.

Warren Central’s Karley Whittington and Peyton Rutherford were both among six players within six shots of the lead after Monday’s first round in the Class III tournament.

Their play helped the Lady Vikes to a three-shot lead over Tupelo in the team standings heading into today’s final round, but that leaderboard was also congested. Warren Central (170), Tupelo (173) and St. Martin (176) were all within six shots of first place. Hernando (184), Madison Central (185) and defending champion Hancock (189) are also lurking.

Class III consists of teams that compete in Class 5A and 6A in all other sports.

“It was tough out there (Monday). The wind was up. They played good and let a couple of holes slip away. They got so close last year, they want to go out and win a championship this year,” Warren Central coach Matt Williams said. “We’re in good shape. We didn’t post any numbers where I was wondering where we’re going to get more shots from.”

In the Class I tournament, St. Al seemed well on its way to bringing home not only its second consecutive team championship, but its first medalist as well.

St. Al’s Anna Fletcher shot a 76 to open up a four-shot lead over Presley Baggett of Our Lady Academy, and Fletcher’s teammate Laura Phillips was third with an 81.

St. Al’s third golfer, Beth Newman, shot a 102 and was tied for 10th place. St. Al was the only team with three golfers inside the top 10, and led OLA by 20 shots — 157 to 177 — in the team standings. Cathedral was a distant third after totaling 195 in the first round.

Monday’s first round was delayed by rain in the morning, then completed about an hour before a round of severe weather ripped through Central Mississippi. A possible tornado passed south of Clear Creek around 5 p.m., but the course didn’t suffer any major storm damage, Clear Creek pro Kent Smith said.

Another round of bad weather is forecast for this afternoon. The second round of the tournament started at 9:30 a.m. with a shotgun start in an effort to complete it before the weather turns sour again.

After the girls’ tournament is wrapped up, the Class 1A boys will play their state tournament at Clear Creek on Wednesday and Thursday. St. Al is the tournament host, and will be seeking its fourth straight state title.