UCSC’s Mendoza shoots record round at Bulldog Classic

UC Santa Cruz sophomore golfer Gillian Mendoza posted a record round and took second individually at the four-team Bulldog Classic on Sunday. Her finish helped the Banana Slugs also take second at The S at Rancho Mirage.

Mendoza closed with 3-under-par 69 — the lowest round in school history — for an even-par 144 total. She finished one stroke behind medalist Hannah Jugar of Redlands, the tournament host and champion as well as the nation’s No. 1 ranked team in NCAA Division III.

“It’s been a struggle for the past few months, so shooting under par on the last day really boosted my self-confidence,” Mendoza told goslugs.com. “Our season got cut short last year and I wasn’t able to finish off strong. This is only our second tournament of the season. I’m just getting started.”

Redands finished with a 596 total and was followed by UCSC (612), Chapman (638) and Cal Lutheran (642).

UCSC’s Mikaela Paracuelles and Alyssa Yee tied for seventh at 154, Riley Birch (160) took 14th, Sarah Donovan (166) tied for 18th, and Mara Anunciacion (179) took 24th.

The Banana Slugs continue their spring by facing Division II opposition at the Sonoma State Invitational in Santa Rosa on Monday and Tuesday.

Men’s golf

VALcRO TcXAS OPcN QUALIeIcR >> Aptos’ Eddie Olson shot 3-over-par 75 and missed the cut at the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open qualifier Monday in Kerrville, Texas.

The former Aptos High and UNLV standout finished with four birdies, five bogeys and a double-bogey 7 on No. 17 at Club at Comanche Trace.

Four players shot 6-under-par 66 and advanced from the qualifier: Sam Fidone of Lufkin, Texas;

Tain Lee of Irvine; Patrick Grimes of Menlo Park; and JJ Killeen of Lubbock, Texas.

The Valero Texas Open runs Thursday through Sunday at TPC San Antonio’s AT&T Oaks Course.

Men’s track and field

WcSTMONT aOLLcGIATc aLASSIa >> Drew Koesel, Rylie Miller, Mateo Ramirez and Conrad Pereira teamed up for third place in the 4×400 meter relay finals at the Westmont College Classic on Saturday. They finished in 3:25.86.

Pereira took 10th in the shot put with a throw of 135 feet. UCSC’s Kellen O’Neill took 10th in the 800 in 2:02.03 and 14th in the 1,500 in 4:08.44.

Women’s track and field

WcSTMONT aOLLcGIATc aLASSIa >> UCSC’s Abby McPhillips took fourth in the high jump (5 feet, 1.75 inches) at the Westmont College Classic on Saturday.

UCSC’S Elana Muzzy took sixth in the 1,500-meter final in 4:45. Zoe Johnson, McPhillips, Clare Ahearn and Sophia Llamas-Caervante teamed up for seventh in the 4×400 relay with a 4:22.09 finish.

Girls beach volleyball

APTOS 4, SOQUcL 1 >> Peyton Dueck and Reina Townsend defeated Ciara Cantlen and Ava Adamsen 19-21, 21-16, 15-9 in the No. 1 match, and the Mariners won their SCCAL match at Rio Del Mar on Friday.

Aptos’ Jordyn WaiteWard and Emma Yeaman won 21-19, 20-22, 15-11 at No. 2. The Mariners’ No. 3 and 4 teams earned wins, too.