Greatest stories of 2021 (No. 2)

Saddleback athletics celebrated one of the more entertaining years in history in 2021, with a number of programs reaching all-time highs and records being broken in many sports.  This is the list of the Top-10 stories in Saddleback athletics for 2021.

No. 2   Women's golf finishes second at state championships

The No. 2 story in Saddleback athletics in 2021 was the women's golf team finishing second in the state.  The Bobcats were a dominating force all season long, setting scoring records and dominating their competition.

Saddleback rolled through Orange Empire Conference play, finishing 58-2 overall before heading into Southern California regional play.  The Bobcats then captured their first Southern California Regional title in program history in early November, winning by 32 shots over the closest competitor. 

Saddleback headed to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Tournament in Arroyo Grande as one of the favorites and did not disappoint, leading after the opening round by four shots over Modesto Junior College.  Unfortunately, Modesto had a phenomenal round in the final round of the season as the Bobcats finished as the state runner-up.

"I'm really proud of the way these kids played all season long," head coach Bob Bosanko said following the state tournament.  "They were all freshmen and I really look forward to having them back next fall."

Saddleback's feat was sensational given the entire roster was comprised of freshmen.  The Bobcats had three players named to the All-Orange Empire Conference Team and seven different players played in at least seven matches throughout the year. 

Amber Davalos led the team, finishing second in scoring average in conference play (79.3).  Mariana Gandia-Mak was the leader for Saddleback at the state tournament, shooting a two-day total of 153 (74-79) to finish seventh in the state in medalist play. 

Saddleback broke a program record on opening day when it shot 307 as a team to win the Orange Empire Conference opener by 16 shots at Soboba Springs.  Later in the season they again came close in shooting 308 to win by 21 shots at Arroyo Trabuco.

The second place finish at the state tournament was the second best finish in program history to a 2003 squad that won the state title.  The 58-2 finish in OEC play was the best record in program history since the team scoring format changes in 2013.  It was the fourth Orange Empire Conference championship in the past five seasons for Saddleback. 

TOP-10 STORIES OF 2021