By Jesse Muñoz
COC Sports Information Director
PALMDALE — Sahya Kitabatake was the low scorer for a fourth straight event and three Cougars finished in the top eight of the individual standings to help College of the Canyons win the Western State Conference event at Rancho Vista Golf Course on Monday.
Canyons (24-0) and Kitabatake both remain unbeaten on the season despite the tight competition behind the Cougars, who carded a four-player score of 342.
Allan Hancock College (346) ended just four shots back for runner-up status with Bakersfield College (350) not far behind in third place. Santa Barbara City College (354) was also in the hunt before finishing fourth.
Kitabatake, the defending 3C2A state champion, turned in a one-over-par score of 73. That was three strokes better than both Zan McGovern of Allan Hancock and Aldie Smith of Santa Barbara City, who tied for second. Kitabatake has now medaled in 10 of 12 WSC events dating back to the start of the 2024 season.
COC freshmen Alex Downing and Sofia Allard both recorded rounds of 85 to tie for eighth place in the field of 37 players. That score represents Allard’s lowest round of the season.
Baily Fara Lieberman (99) tied for 24th and Valerie Sherman (104) was 27th overall.
Canyons will next prepare for the WSC event hosted by Citrus College at San Dimas Country Club on Monday.
Team Scores
1. Canyons (342) 2. Allan Hancock (346) 3. Bakersfield (350) 4. Santa Barbara (354) 5. Moorpark (378) 6. Antelope Valley (419) 7. Citrus (444).
COC Individual Scores
Sahya Kitabatake (73-medalist); Alex Downing (85-T8th); Sofia Allard (85-T8th); Baily Fara Lieberman (99-T24th); Valerie Sherman (104-27th).