Olson and Lightle Tie for 2nd, Bearcats Place 2nd, at Whitworth Tournament

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Willamette University golfers Brock Olson (So., Kirkland, WA/Lake Washington HS) and Preston Lightle (Fy., Victoria, BC, Canada/Belmont Senior Secondary School) each shot 4-under par for 36 holes to tie for second place at the Whitworth Fall Invitational as the tournament ended with the final 18 holes on Monday, Oct. 9.

Olson and Lightle helped Willamette earn second place in the team standings at 6-under par 562. The Bearcats shot 2-over par 282 on the par 70 Liberty Lakes Golf Course on Sunday and carded an 8-under par 280 on the par 72 MeadowWood Golf Course on Monday.

Host Whitworth University won the team title at 14-under par 554. The Pirates matched Willamette with a 2-over par 282 in the first round, before shooting 16-under par 272 in the second round. Willamette's second place finish was followed by Whitman College in third place at even-par 568 (284-284). Linfield University was fourth at 577 (284-293), while the College of Idaho placed fifth at 585 (290-295). The Willamette "B" team was sixth at 592 (297-295), Whitworth's "B" team was seventh at 593 (297-296), and Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) was eighth at 630 (319-311).

Aaron Storem from Whitworth topped the individual leaderboard with a score of 8-under par 134. He earned rounds of 1-under par 69 at Liberty Lakes and 7-under par 65 at MeadowWood. Olson and Lightle of Willamette were part of a four-way tie for second place at 138. Olson carded scores of even-par 70 and 4-under par 68. Olson had an exceptional round on Monday, with an eagle 3 on the par-5 seventh hole, plus two birdies and 15 pars. Lightle also shot an even-par 70 and a 4-under 68. His results in the second round round were four birdies and 14 pars. Three of his birdies were on the front nine for a 3-under par 33.

Also tied for second place at 138 were Chris Cayford of Linfield and Jacob Rawley of Whitworth. Cayford carded rounds of 68 and 70, while Rawley shot 70 and 68.

Alexander Knox of Whitman took sixth place at 140. He achieved scores of 69 in the first round and 71 in the second round. Four golfers tied for seventh place at 141. They were Chris Zamani (69-72) of Linfield, Sam Pauly (74-67) of Whitworth, Matthew Durkin (69-72) of Whitworth, and Oliver Nordberg (69-72) from the Whitworth "B" team.

Paxton Jones (Jr., Wellington, NZ/Scots College) of Willamette's "B" team was one of three golfers tied for 11th place at 142. Jones registered a 70 in the first round and shot a 72 in the second round for par on both courses. Mason Remington and Dawson Fish, both from Whitman, also tied for 11th. Remington and Fish each carded scores of 71 in both rounds.

Olson and Lightle were the leaders of a strong effort by the Willamette "A" team. Also golfing for the "A" group were Jack McMullin (Sr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS), Alexander Papajohn (Fy., Parker, CO/Lutheran HS), and Oliver Smith (So., San Jose, CA/Pioneer HS). McMullin and Papajohn each shared part of a three-way tie for 14th place at 143, as McMullin shot 72-71 and Papajohn carded 70-73. Smith earned a 36-hole score of 148 by shooting 74-74.

Jones was one of five golfers on the Willamette "B" team. His 11th place finish at 142 led the "B" team. Jack Carr (Fy., Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage HS) shot 148 with rounds of 75 and 73. Kyler Phillips (Fy., Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS) recorded a score of 150 on rounds of 72 and 78. Connor Murphy (So., Palm Desert, CA/Xavier College Prep) shot 154 and improved from an 82 in the first round to an even-par 72 in the second round. Lucas Paul concluded the tournament at 158 (82-78).

The Bearcats will compete at the Northwest Conference Fall Classic, set for Saturday, Oc.t 14 through Monday, Oct. 16 at Michelbook Country Club in McMinnville, Oregon. The NWC Fall Classic will feature 54 holes over three days, with 18 holes each day.