Vaqueros claim Regional golf title; Johansson is third

Saralisa Ortega fired a 75 and Fanny Johansson shot 76 on Monday, guiding Santa Barbara City College to the Southern Cal Regional women's golf championship at the Alisal River Course in Solvang.

"Usually my drives are all over the place but today was straight-on," said Ortega, a freshman from Santa Barbara High who won the Channel League title last year. "The big difference from yesterday was my driving and putting."

SBCC finished with 313 strokes on the final day of the 36-hole tourney and their total of 624 was 15 shots better than Fullerton. Palomar improved its score by 30 strokes, shooting 315 on Day 2, to take third at 660.

The top two teams and top 12 individuals advanced to the State Championships on Nov. 17-18 at Tracy GC.

Iris Chung of Mt. San Jacinto was the individual champ on the 5,710-yard, par-72 course with a two-day total of 147 (74-73). Sadye Busby of Palomar shot the low-round of the day on Monday with a 1-under 71 that gave her second place at 150.

Johansson, a freshman from Sweden, was third at 151 (75-76), followed by Leleaga Meredith of Irvine Valley (153), Nea Bennett of Fullerton (155) and Vanessa Honnes of Palomar (155). The top six were named All-Region players.

Vanesa Villa and Jackie Ramirez both shot 81 for Santa Barbara, which won State titles in 2006 and 2008. Villa and Ortega tied for seventh at 157 with Cindy Dang of Irvine Valley.

"It feels really good to win the Regional," said SBCC coach Chuck Melendez. "We have a good group of talented players. Slowly but surely we've been getting better. The good news is I think we're capable of much more.

"Saralisa saved our day because a number of players were struggling out there. She clutched up and came through."

  
Southern Cal Regional
Final 36-hole scores
At par-72 Alisal River GC
 Team (top 2 advance to state) -- 1, SBCC 311-313--624. 2, Fullerton 318-321--639. 3, Palomar 345-315--660. 4, Canyons 347-328--675. 5, Desert 347-.338--685. 6, Saddleback 344-342—686.
 Individual (par 72) – 1, Iris Chung, Mt. San Jacinto, 74-73—147. 2, Sadye Busby, Palomar, 79-71--150. 3, Fanny Johansson, SBCC, 75-76--151.
 SBCC scores -- 3, Johansson 75-76--151. 7 (tie), Saralisa Ortega 82-75--157. 7 (tie), Vanesa Villa 76-81--157. 4 (tie), Maggie Daly 78-87--165, Jackie Ramirez 85-81--166, Haley True 89-90--179. Competed as individual: Megan Herrera 86-81--167.