Story and photos by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons made the most of the clear skies above Valencia Country Club on Monday, where the Cougars carded a five-man score of 381 on their home course to win their second conference tourney in as many weeks and claim a share of the conference top spot.

COC’s Nobuhiko Wakaari finished the day three-under at 69 to win medalist honors for a second straight week.

The freshman has now medaled in three of the first four Western State Conference (WSC) events, also taking top honors at Bakersfield Country Club and River Ridge Golf Course in weeks one and three, respectively. Monday’s round of 69, which was buoyed by back-to-back birdies to begin the day, is Wakaari’s best mark of the young season.

Playing from the blue tees and operating under winter weather rules, Canyons saw three of its five scoring golfers finish in the top five.

Jules Lavigne finished even with a round of 72 to rank second in the individual standings. The freshman also got off to a hot start with a birdie on the first hole to set the tone for the rest of his round. “That was a good hole,” remarked Lavigne before making his way to the next tee box.

Tom Sims ended up tied for third in the final tally with a score of 76. Sims has been a regular atop the leaderboard in recent weeks having finished no worse than third in the individual standings since week two. Monday’s result came despite a tough ninth hole in which the freshman was forced to use two strokes to punch out of some deep rough.

Anguerrand Voisin at 81 and Jack Greene’s score of 83 also added to COC’s final total. James Wilkes was scratched at 84.

Santa Barbara City College (392) was runner-up for a third straight week. Ventura College (405) finished third followed by Glendale College (418).

The Vaqueros and Cougars are currently tied for first in the season standings with identical 29-3 records.

Monday’s tournament at Valencia Country Club was originally scheduled for Monday, Feb. 4, but had to be postponed due to weather.

Canyons will continue conference play at the WSC event hosted by Allan Hancock College on Monday, March 11, at Santa Maria Country Club. Play is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Final scores:
1.Canyons (381) 2. SBCC (392) 3. Ventura (405) 4. Glendale (418) 5. Bakersfield (429) 6. Hancock (433) 7. Antelope Valley (446) 8. Citrus (513) 9. Victor Valley (no score)

Canyons scores:
Nobuhiko Wakaari (69)-Medalist; Jules Lavigne (72) – Second; Tom Sims (76) – Tie Third; AG Voisin (81); Jack Greene (83); James Wilkes (84).

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.