Canyons Wins Fourth Straight WSC Event, Places Fifth in SoCal

Story and Photo by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — College of the Canyons won its fourth straight conference event on Monday, as Corey Haase, Justin Buenaventura and Michael Lindgren each carded rounds of 74 to help the Cougars to a nine-stroke victory at Bakersfield Country Club.

COC bested second place Santa Barbara City College (391), third place Glendale College (394), fourth place Ventura (396) and fifth place Bakersfield College (407) in the WSC tourney.

The event also served as the setting for the annual California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Preview and drew a total field of 16 teams, including the nine Western State Conference (WSC) programs.

COC (382) placed fifth in the regional competition to trail Riverside City College (379), Cypress College (378), Palomar College (378) and event winner Orange Coast College (365).

By comparison, Canyons finished in ninth place at the SoCal Preview in 2017. The Cougars then placed third at the Southern California Championships in May en route to a state championship, the program's eighth overall and third in the last five seasons.

On Monday, Haase, Buenaventura and Lindgren tied for second place in the conference event's individual standings. Angelo Keklikian of Glendale took home medalist honors with a round of 73.

Jones Comerford followed with a score of 75 and Sam Daly rounded out the Canyons top-five with a round of 78.

Clayton Kucera (79), Jack Roycroft (80) and Clementa Yanes (81) all competed for the Cougars but did not factor into the final five-man score.

Canyons continues to lead the WSC with five conference tournaments remaining until the WSC Finals on April 30. Santa Barbara and Ventura are tied for second place followed by Glendale in the No. 4 spot.

The Cougars return to action at WSC No. 6 hosted by Antelope Valley College on Monday, March 12. Tee time is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Antelope Valley Country Club.

CCCAA SOCAL PREVIEW SCORES (16 TEAMS)

1. Orange Coast (365) 2. Palomar (378) 3. Cypress (378) 4. Riverside (379) 5. Canyons (382) 6. Desert (383) 7. Mt. San Jacinto (386) 8. SBCC (391) 9. Glendale (394) 10. Ventura (396) 11. Bakersfield (407) 12. El Camino (410) 13. Allan Hancock (419) 14. Antelope Valley (451) 15. Citrus (460) 16. Victor Valley (no score). 

WSC No. 5 SCORES (9 TEAMS)

1. Canyons (382) 2. SBCC (391) 3. Glendale (394) 4. Ventura (396) 5. Bakersfield (407) 6. Allan Hancock (419) 7. Antelope Valley (451) 8. Citrus (460) 9. Victor Valley (no score)

CANYONS INDIVIDUAL SCORES

Justin Buenaventura (74), Michael Lindgren (74), Corey Haase (74), Jones Comerford (75), Sam Daly (78), Clayton Kucera (79), Jack Roycroft (80), Clemente Yanes (81).

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.