Saddleback’s Reign Comes to an End

Saddleback lost its grip on the Orange Empire Conference golf title Monday by losing to Cuyamaca in an Orange Empire Conference match at Tijeras Creek in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Saddleback had won six consecutive conference titles and 16 of 17 under Coach Bill Cunerty before Monday.

Cuyamaca won the match with a score of 380. Saddleback (390) was second, Palomar (410) third and Golden West (439) fourth. Cuyamaca has a conference record of 11-1 and Saddleback is 10-3.

Joe Wagner and Luiz Calero of of Cuyamaca tied for the low scores at one-over 73. Tom Larsen of Saddleback shot 76 and teammates Bill Bodensteiner and Kevin Osborn each had 77.

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Men’s volleyball: Orange Coast, which holds a one-match lead over second-place Golden West, can clinch a berth in the State tournament--April 24-25 at Irvine Valley--with two victories this week.

The Pirates host Palomar at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Irvine Valley at the same time Friday. Golden West is at San Diego Mesa Wednesday and at home against Grossmont Friday.