Kucera Medals, Cougars Take Third at WSC Opener

Story and Photo by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons freshman Clayton Kucera earned medalist honors with a round of 74, but the Cougars were forced to settle for third place at the Western State Conference season opener played at Valencia Country Club on Monday.

Kucera was the leader on a Canyons squad that saw three players shoot in the 70s.

Clemente Yanes put together a round of 77 and Jones Comerford followed behind with a score of 79.

Those scores helped the Cougars stay in contention through much of the morning. But in the end it wasn't enough to keep pace with first place Ventura College, which ended with a five-man score of 388.

The Pirates were trailed by Santa Barbara City College, which edged the Cougars by a single stroke to capture second place at 395.

Canyons ended its day at 396 after rounds of 82 by Michael Lindgren and 84 from Corey Haase. Mitch Beohm finished at 89 but did not factor into COC's team score.

The third place finish at Valencia Country Club comes on the heels of the Cougars' 29-stroke victory in the 14-team Pt. Conception Open at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc, Calif.

COC returns to action Monday, Feb. 12, at WSC event No. 2 hosted by Bakersfield College at Rio Bravo Country Club. Tee time is 10:30 a.m.

FINAL SCORES

1. Ventura (388) 2. SBCC (395) 3. Canyons (396) 4. Glendale (402) 5. Bakersfield (422) 6. Hancock (426) 7. Citrus (500) 8. Antelope Valley (507) 9. Victor Valley (no score)

CANYONS SCORES

Clayton Kucera (74) - Medalist; Clemente Yanes (77); Jones Comerford (79); Michael Lindgren (82); Corey Haase (84); Mitch Beohm (89).

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.