Andy Stanfield shot a 4-over-par 148 and Andrew Garcia shot a 7-over 151 as the Ventura College men's golf team clinched a berth in Monday's Southern California regionals with a second-place finish at the WSC Championships last Monday at Marshallia Ranch.

The Pirates will tee off Monday at Glendora Country Club. The top two teams and next six individuals advance to the state championships May 15 in Santa Maria.

It has been a rollercoaster of a season on the links for the Ventura College men's golf team.

The Pirates won the Glendale Invitational March 16 and finished second in the Southern California Invitational March 14. But they've also slumped to fifth- and sixth-place finishes in WSC play at Citrus March 28 and Santa Barbara City Feb. 21, respectively.

The top three of Andy Bennett, Brett Silvernail and Kevin Dann, who have combined to average a 76 in WSC play, have been strong.

But the Pirates have struggled for consistency at the bottom half of the lineup.

"It hasn't materialized," said Ventura coach Bob E. Smith. "I don't know what it is. They start second guessing themselves, they get a little negative and that puts more pressure on their entire golf game."

Coming off a third-place finish Monday at Elkins Ranch, Ventura (18-18), which sits in fourth place, remains hopeful of a postseason berth.

"That's progress," said Smith of Monday's performance, which included a 1-under 70 from medalist Andrew Garcia and a 78 from Vince Rodriguez. "I think they're going to peak at the right time."

Paul Misko left the Oak Valley Golf Club Monday feeling like he was one decision from winning the state championship.

The Ventura College sophomore shot a 3-under 141 over 36 holes to finished tied for third at the California Community College men's golf championships in Beaumont.

"I hit the ball really well," said Misko, who was tied for the lead after 18 and 35 holes and finished one shot behind champion Connor Covington. "I hit everything stiff. I made a lot of putts that were crucial."

"That's the only thing that makes me sad. I haven't hit the ball this good when I've won tournaments."

Having lost the card off for third place, Misko, who officially finished fourth, is VC's second straight All-State selection. Alton Anderson tied for the medal last year, before losing a card off for the title. The Top 6 finishers make up the All-State team.

The Royal High product was 4-under and tied for the tournament lead stepping into the 36th and final tee box. Setting up for his second shot, 237 yards from the pin, Misko reached for his 3 wood, rather than the hybrid that had served him so well all day.

"I knew I had adrenline," said Misko. "I knew I had to hit a shot."

The shot flew over the green, carrying nearly 260 yards, leaving him to chip back onto the green and two-putt for just his fifth bogey of the day.

"I could have hit a hybrid, made birdie and won the tournament," said Misko. "But I'm not really disappointed. It's a lesson learned."

Misko didn't bogey a hole until the par-4 15th in the morning. He finished the first round with a 2-under 70.

Misko credited Ventura coach Bob E. Smith for his good day.

"He talked me through every single shot, every single yardage," said Misko. "It took a lot of pressure off me. It was a tremedous."

One round from qualifying for the California Community College championships, the Ventura College men's golf team suffered through a season-spoiling afternoon in the 36-hole Southern California regionals at SGCA Golf Course in Murrieta.

Sophomore Paul Misko shot a 71 and 71 for a 2-under 142 to tie for the medal, but lost a cardoff to Riverside's Nick Paez for the regional championship.

"Everything inside 100 yards, I wasn't playing my best," said Misko. "That kind of killed me... But I was making a lot of pairs, not doing anything stupid, hitting the ball straight."

The Royal High product advances to the state tournament next week in Beaumont individually, but the moment was spoiled by the Pirates missing their team goal by six strokes.

With three 79s and an 80 in the second round, Ventura finished with a 41-over 761, six strokes behind fourth-place Cypress. The top four teams advanced to next week's championships.

"I've never been an individual player," said Misko. "It's just the fact that our team's not going ruins it."

Santa Barbara, which finished third in the Western State Conference behind Canyons and Ventura, won the regional title with a 744, followed by Orange Coast (749), Riverside (753) and Cypress (755).

After a strong morning, Ventura sat tied for third at 373, three shots behind leaders Santa Barbara. Jonathan Lum shot a 72, Chad Gillespie shot a 74 and Ryan Turner and Dan Dress both shot 78.

But everything evaporated in the afternoon.

"The wind started blowing and the scores started going sky high," said Ventura coach Bob E. Smith. "Everyone thought they had to shoot 72, but it turns out we just had to shoot 77. That means everyone just needed a shot here or there."

Misko, who said the wind blew between 25 and 40 miles per hour "non-stop," started the second round with a par and two bogeys before getting going with an eagle on the fourth hole.

"Paul played his heart out," said Smith. "Other than that, I don't know what to say."

Misko singled out freshman Andy Bennett, who finished the front half of the first round 3-under par.

"We had a good season," said Misko. "Not what we wanted to do, but that's how it goes. That's golf for you."

The Ventura College men's golf team is in Murrietta today for the 36-hole Southern California regional tournament.

The Pirates are tied for third after the morning round. The top four teams advance to next week's state tournament.

Team standings: Santa Barbara City 370, Orange Coast 372, Ventura 373, Cypress 373, Riverside 374, College of the Canyons 375, College of the Desert 379.

Ventura, first round: Paul Misko 71, Jonathan Lum 72, Chad Gillespie 74, Ryan Turner 78 Dan Dress 78.

The Ventura College men's golf team may have let the chance to push for a conference title slip in recent weeks.

But there is plenty to play for today when the Pirates compete in the 36-hole Western State Conference championships at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo.

"Hopefully, we can go ahead and maybe not win the conference," said Ventura coach Bob E. Smith, "but win the state."

Ventura (35-13), which finished third in the state meet a year ago, has slipped 11 games behind runaway leader Canyons (46-2) in recent weeks, but the Pirates can advance to Southern California regionals as a team by protecting its six game lead over third-place Santa Barbara City (29-19) today.

"I'm somewhat concerned," said Smith, "but we look like we're pretty confident for that second spot.

"It all depends on how we play in the morning."

Sophomore Paul Misko enters the final 32 holes from the WSC individual championship.

The Royal High product is the conference's scoring leader, averaging 72.9 per round.

"The only thing I have to do (today) is go out and play my game," said Misko. "I won't put scores in my head, because then you're not thinking about your game.

"I can tell you, I've been practicing a lot."

The local course isn't expected to be a big advantage for the Pirates, who practice at Saticoy C.C. and Olivas Links.

"It's nice that they get to sleep in their own bed," Smith, "but it's not so much of an advantage for us because we don't practice at Spanish Hills."

Canyons is actually hosting the event. Every team was allotted one practice round.

SoCal regionals are May 10 at SCGA golf course in Murrieta and the state championships are May at Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont.

Sophomore Paul Misko shot a 3-under 69 to earn medalist honors the Western State Conference men's golf tournament Monday at Santa Maria Country Club, hosted by Hancock College.

Chad Gillespie added a 75 as Ventura (28-8) finished second to WSC-leading College of the Canyons, 376-367.

Ventura will host the WSC Championships April 26 at Spanish Hills C.C.

Through 18 of 36 holes at the WSC Championships at Santa Maria Country Club, the Ventura College men's golf team is a strong second, shooting 377, eight strokes behind leaders Santa Barbara City College. Moorpark was fourth with 387.

Ventura's Russell Boring shot a team-best 70 in the first round, followed by Ryan Turner (73), Alton Anderson (76) and Zack Kanny (77).

Third-place Canyons finished the morning round in seventh place, which solidifies Ventura's second-place position.

Conference standings with 18 rounds to play -- Santa Barbara City 58-12, Ventura 54-16, Canyons 47-23, Citrus 44-26, Bakersfield 40-30, Moorpark 19-51, Hancock 16-54, Glendale 2-68.

The top three places in Monday's WSC golf match at Debell Golf Course in Glendale were separated by a single stroke, as Canyons (369) edged Ventura (370) and Santa Barbara City (371).

Ventura's Zack Kanny earned the match medal with a 69, which moved him into fourth in the WSC's individual standings at 72.75 per round.

Ventura (25-10) sits five matches behind co-leaders Canyons and Santa Barbara (30-5) entering Monday's home match at Saticoy Country Club.