Carlson, Farouze lead Vaqueros to second straight perfect WSC season

Elly Carlson took second in the WSC Finals women's golf tournament on Monday and Stephanie Farouze tied for third as SBCC completed its second straight undefeated WSC campaign at Kern River GC in Bakersfield.

Carlson shot 75-82--157 and finished two shots behind the 36-hole medalist, Michaela Klundt (76-79--155) of Antelope Valley. Farouze (79-80) tied for third at 159 and Lauren Calvin (84-81) tied for fifth at 165. Vanessa Watkins (87-80) placed ninth and Elle Gaston (87-82) was 12th.

The Vaqueros, who won state titles in 2013 and 2015 and placed second last year, went 50-0 to win the conference by 15 games over Canyons (35-15). The Vaqueros are 110-0 the last two years in the WSC and 202-17 over the last five seasons.

SBCC has won three straight WSC crowns and four of the last five. It was their eighth title since 2004.

The Vaqueros shot 325 and 323 for a 648 total in the WSC Finals. Canyons was second, 37 strokes back at 685.

Santa Barbara is 76-1 overall this year and 175-2 in the last two years.

"It feels good to win the conference," said 18th-year coach Chuck Melendez. "I was very pleased with our steadiness and consistency. I was happy to see Vanessa Watkins and Elle Gaston play better today."

Watkins, who's played No. 1 for the Vaqueros most of the season, shaved seven strokes off her Sunday score with an 80 that tied her for second in WSC No. 10. Gaston was five strokes better at 82.

The Vaqueros shot 323 and won WSC No. 10 by nine strokes over Canyons.

Klundt was the medalist at 79 and she was named WSC Player of the Year. Watkins and Farouze tied for second at 80, Calvin tied for sixth at 81 and Carlson tied for eighth with an 82.

Four Vaqueros made first team All-WSC -- Watkins (2nd in league scoring at 76.9), Carlson, Farouze and Calvin.

"We still have a lot of work to do to get to our ultimate goal," said Melendez, who was named WSC Coach of the Year for the third straight season.

The Vaqueros will go for their third consecutive Southern Cal Championship on Nov. 5-6 at Temecula Creek Inn.

WSC No. 10
At par-73 Kern River GC
 Team -- 1, SBCC 323. 2, Canyons 332. 3, Citrus 345. 4, Moorpark 349. 5, Bakersfield 357. 6, Antelope Valley, no score.
 Medalist -- 1, Michaela Klundt, AVC, 79. 2 (tie), Stephanie Farouze, SBCC, 80; Vanessa Watkins, SBCC, 80; Brandi Borjon, Bakersfield, 80; Georgia Shevitt, Moorpark, 80. 6 (tie), Lauren Calvin, SBCC, 81; JoJo Roecker, Canyons, 81.
 SBCC scores – 2 (tie), Farouze 80; Watkins 80. 6 (tie), Calvin 81. 8 (tie), Elly Carlson 82; Elle Gaston 82. Jessica Safford 89.
 Final WSC standings -- 1, SBCC 50-0. 2, Canyons 35-15. 3, Moorpark 23-27. 4, Citrus 20-30. 5, Bakersfield 17-33. 6, Antelope Valley 5-45.

WSC Finals (36 holes)
At par-73 Kern River GC
 Team -- 1, SBCC 325-323--648. 2, Canyons 353-332--685. 3, Moorpark 352-349--701. 4, Citrus 364-345--709. 5, Bakersfield 362-357--719. 6, Antelope Valley 389-no score.
 Medalist -- 1, Michaela Klundt, Antelope Valley, 76-79--155. 2, Elly Carlson, SBCC, 75-82--157. 3 (tie), Stephanie Farouze, SBCC, 79-80--159; Georgia Shevitt, Moorpark, 79-80--159. 5 (tie), Lauren Calvin, SBCC, 84-81--165; Sydney Crawley, Bakersfield, 84-81--165.
 SBCC scores – 2, Carlson 75-82--157. 3 (tie), Farouze 79-80--159. 5 (tie), Calvin 84-81--165. 9, Vanessa Watkins 87-80--167. 12, Elle Gaston 87-82--169. Jessica Safford 93-89--182.
 SBCC overall record -- 76-1.