Depth leads to CCCAA Women's Golf Championship for Modesto; Sierra's Bando is medalist
MORRO BAY, Calif. – Despite not having any individuals finish among the top six, Modesto Junior College used balanced team scoring to capture its first California Community College Athletic Association women’s golf state championship.
The Pirates – who led the 8-team field after the first day with a 4-person score of 316 – added a 317 on Monday for a two-day total of 633. Defending state champion Sierra College (Rocklin, CA) posted a 313 on Monday to earn state runner-up honors with a two-day total of 637. Santa Barbara City College finished third with a team total of 641.
Modesto saw sophomore Janita Vongphoumy post a 3-over-par 75 on Monday, while sophomore Brooke Vierra and freshman Alyse Padilla each carded 77’s. Sophomore Shawna Ratto rounded out the scoring with an 88 as Modesto had the most returning players at this year’s state championship – three – than any other team.
Sierra’s Nao Bando, who tied for medalist honors last year but settled for the runner-up medal in a card-off, made a statement this season in posting a two-day score of 3-under-par 141 (71-70) to easily capture this year’s medalist honor. Teammate Mikia Fang posted a 76 on Monday with Emily Dixon adding an 80. Santa Barbara was paced by sophomore Vanessa Watkins with a tournament-low 69 on Monday while Stephanie Farouze (81), Elly Carlson (83), and Lauren Calvin (84) added to the Vaqueros’ score.
Hannah Lovering of Reedley College also posted a 70 on Monday and finished tied with Watkins at 145 for the tournament but took home the individual runner-up medal in a card-off covering the back nine holes. Saddleback College freshman Brittney Do was a first-day leader at 1-under-par 71 and added a 76 on Monday to finish fourth overall at 147. Irvine Valley’s Kylie Sok also posted a 76 on Monday and finished fifth overall at 148. Aman Sangha of Canada College (Redwood City, CA) posted a 74 on Monday to finish sixth overall with a 149 total. The top six players earned all-state recognition.
(Courtesy Jerry Hannula, Saddleback College)