Watkins, Chang go 1-2 as Vaqueros tie season best of 308

Vanessa Watkins fired a 2-over 73 on Monday to take medalist honors and Carolin Chang shot 74, leading SBCC to a 45-stroke win in the eighth WSC women's golf tournament at Simi Hills GC in Simi Valley.

Watkins, a freshman from Arroyo Grande, tied her season low while capturing her third medalist honor. Danielle Picard shot 77 and Savanah Boss and Daniela Ruffo carded 84s.

The defending state champion Vaqueros have won 11 straight tourneys this year and 17 in a row, dating back to last season. Citrus was second at 353 and Bakersfield took third at 395.

Santa Barbara is a perfect 76-0 overall and 48-0 in WSC action. Citrus is second at 40-8 with two tournaments remaining.

"This is usually a tough course for us, so I was real happy with our play," said coach Chuck Melendez. "We had a lot of good swings. We shot 308 and left some strokes out there.

"This group is self-motivated and one of the hardest-working teams I've ever had."

The Vaqueros will try to wrap up their third WSC title in the last four years in the two-day conference finals. WSC No. 9 will take place on Sunday at Elkins Ranch in Fillmore at noon and WSC No. 10 is set for Monday at Buenaventura in Ventura with tee-off at 11:30 a.m.

WSC No. 8
At par-71 Simi Hills GC
Final scores
 Team -- 1, SBCC 308. 2, Citrus 353. 3, Bakersfield 395. 4, Antelope Valley 414. 5 (tie), Canyons, Glendale, Moorpark, no score.
 Medalist -- 1, Vanessa Watkins, SBCC, 73. 2, Carolin Chang, SBCC, 74.
 SBCC scores – 1, Watkins 73. 2, Chang 74. Danielle Picard 77, Savanah Boss 84, Daniela Ruffo 84, Corina Garcia 92.
 WSC standings -- 1, SBCC 48-0. 2, Citrus 40-8. 3, Antelope Valley 25-23. 4, Bakersfield 19-29. 5 (tie), Canyons, Glendale, Moorpark 0-48.
 SBCC overall record -- 76-0 (11 tournament wins).