By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

BAKERSFIELD — College of the Canyons sophomore Nisha Gaulke will advance to the state championship tourney in Morro Bay after finishing 18th overall and leading the Cougars to a sixth-place team result at the CCCAA Southern California Regional Championships at Sundale Country Club on Monday.

Gaulke, who was an All-Western State Conference (WSC) selection, posted a two-day score of 177 (89/88) to place 18th in the field of 58 golfers representing 12 programs.  

That result ranked Gaulke fifth among WSC competitors. She also earned the opportunity to compete as an individual at the CCCAA State Championships Nov. 14-15. 

COC freshman Katie La Torre finished the regional championships in 31st place with a two-day total of 195 (97/98). 

Freshman Marie Naud took 34th place with an even 200 (96/104). Samantha McCray was 38th overall at 204 (104/100) playing the final round of her freshman season.

Tyra Boozer (102) and Ashley Cortez (112) took the course in day-two action but absent an opening round did not factor into the final standings. 

Saddleback College won the SoCal Regional Championship with a tally of 625 (311/314). Orange Coast College was a distant second at 657 (327/330). College of the Desert finished third at 723 (369/354) and Antelope Valley College at 736 (360/376) took fourth to qualify for the final spot at the state championship event. 

Citrus College at 768 (380/388) and Canyons at 774 (386/388) slotted into the five and six spots. Cuyamaca College with a 783 (404/379) finished seventh while Bakersfield fell short of a qualifying final team score. 

Heading into the 2021 campaign Canyons had won back-to-back regional and state championships in 2018 and 2019, while competing at the state championship tourney in nine of the last 10 years.

Gaulke will be representing Canyons when state championship play begins Sunday, Nov. 14 at Morro Bay Golf Course. The two-day event is scheduled to conclude on Monday, Nov. 15, with a state champion team, individual state champion and All-State team named.

TEAM SCORES - 1. Saddleback (625-311/314) 2. Orange Coast (657-327/330) 3. Desert (723-369/354) 4. Antelope Valley (736-360/376) 5. Citrus (768-380/388) 6. Canyons (774-386/388) 7. Cuyamaca (783-404/379) 8. Bakersfield (DNQ)

CANYONS INDIVIDUAL SCORES - Nisha Gaulke (18th — 177-89/88), Katie La Torre (31st — 195-97/98), Marie Naud 34th — (200-96/104), Samantha McCray (38th — 204-104/100), Tyra Boozer (NS/102), Ashley Cortez (NS/112).

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.  

—Photo by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information