Mounties rally on Day 2 to capture 3C2A Women's Golf Championship

Complete Results (PDF) l Photos

NIPOMO – The Mt. San Antonio College women’s golf team did what they have done best throughout the 2024 season and beyond… win.

The Mounties, a powerhouse squad that has lost a grand total of two matches total over the past two seasons, added their biggest victory of all to their resume, winning the state title at the 3C2A Women’s Golf State Championship on Monday at Monarch Dunes Golf Club, par-71.

Facing an impressive field of the best golfers in the state, a challenging golf course and a relentless cold front and windy conditions, the Mounties overcame it all and overcame a Day 1, nine-shot deficit with a team score of 314 and a two-round total of 631. Modesto Junior College carried the opening-round lead into Monday’s action and finished second overall with a two-day total of 638 (608-630), while Reedley College (316-329=625) finished third. Rounding out the team scores included Orange Coast (323-333-656), Moorpark (336-339-675), Sacramento City (329-353-682), Cuyamaca (351-341-692), Santa Barbara (354-343-697) and Napa Valley (369-380-749).

The Mounties’ sophomore trio of Kylie Lau, Natalie Neal and Alana Lo ended their playing careers in style, winning the 3C2A title for their school.

“For this core group to lose just two times over two years says a lot about those three,” Mt. SAC head coach Art Guevara said. “After trailing yesterday, the mood of the girls was just fine. I mean, that 18^th hole cost us 9 shots alone yesterday! It was great to see those three girls end their careers as champions.”

All three sophomores lowered their opening-round totals, with Neal leading the way on Monday with a 3-over-par, 74 (two-day total of 151). Lo was close behind with a 81-78-159, with Lau topping her first round by seven strokes with an 84-77-161.

Guevara was especially proud of freshman Kaitlyn Wang, who shot a 160 (75-85) from the No. 5 spot in the lineup.

“She was a difference-maker for us,” Guevara said. “We don’t win this without her and her strong play these past two days.”

Other strong Mountie performances were turned in by Sophia Miller (90-90-180) and Julissa Garcia (100-102) and they add the state title to their 45-0 record in the Orange Empire Conference and a Southern California Regional title.

On the individual side of the scoresheet, College of the Canyons standout Sahya Kitabatake earned the top spot in the state with an incredible performance for her two days of play. After an impressive 2-over-par 73 on Day 1, Kitabatake earned the lone under-par round on Day 2, carding a 1-under-par, 70, three shots better than anyone else in the field.

Joining Kitabatake on the All-State squad include Moorpark’s Lisette Orellana (75-73-148), Natalie Neal from Mt. SAC (77-74-151), Reedley’s Maya Promwongsa (77-74-151), Cuyamaca’s Kiana Glossner (80-74-154) and Modesto’s Jordan Williams (79-75-154).

(Tony Altobelli, CCCSIA)