Santiago Canyon picked up the pace in capturing the OEC men's golf match at the Santa Ana Country Club on Wednesday (March 18) to pull within one victory of defending state champion Riverside and put a little pressure on the Tigers.
The Hawks posted a five-man team score of 382 to earn five wins while Riverside finished at 391 and Saddleback took third at 399. Riverside (31-4) still leads the conference in the team standings while Santiago Canyon (30-5) is closing in. Orange Coast (20-15) slipped a bit this week as the Pirates finished fourth in this event at 400.
Riverside's Chad Hambright was the individual medalist for this event, posting an even-par 72 while Wes Hatton (75) and Eric Cross (79) helped the Tigers' score. But Santiago Canyon had four players post scores in the 70's, including a pair of 73's from Cory Cannon (pictured) and Byron Busse. Tanner Dice added a 75 with Austin Trcka carding a 77.
Saddleback edged out Orange Coast for third place as Kyle Small (75), Tommy King (76) and Nick Prudhomme (79) lead the Gauchos. Bryson Bentley (76) led Orange Coast while Zach Eddy added a 79.
The teams will have a little break in the conference schedule before heading back to the Victoria Club in Riverside for an April 6 match and then closing out the conference schedule on April 15 at Oak Creek. The 36-hole conference championship is slated for Monday, April 27, at Los Serranos.