Bearcat Women's Golf Team Places Fifth at NWC Spring Classic

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PENDLETON, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's golf team concluded the Northwest Conference Spring Classic in fifth place as the two-day tournament ended on Sunday, April 1 at the Wildhorse Golf course. Willamette carded a 338 in the first round on Saturday and shot 352 in the second round on Sunday.

George Fox University, which recorded the lowest team score each day, finished the 36-hole event at 620 (312-308) to win by 30 strokes. Whitman College was second at 650 (320-330), Whitworth University claimed third place at 658 (328-330) and Linfield College took fourth at 681 (331-350).

Willamette was fifth at 690 (338-352), followed by Pacific Lutheran in sixth at 716 (356-360), Pacific University in seventh at 770 (385-385) and the University of Puget Sound in eighth at 857 (419-438). Lewis & Clark College did not field a complete team.

Kelsey Morrison from George Fox won medalist honors at 142 after shooting a 1-under-par 71 in both rounds. Nicole Lomax, the only other golfer with scores in the 70s both days, earned second place at 153 (77-76).

Three competitors tied for third place at 158. Catelyn Webber from Whitman shot 80-78, Jill Westendorf of George Fox also carded 80-78, and Elaine Whaley from Whitman shot 78-80. Two GFU golfers, Loreece Magsanide (81-79) and Abby Mann (80-80) tied for sixth place at 160.

Willamette freshman Nicole Smith (Portland, OR/Westview HS) earned ninth place with a 36-hole total of 164 (76-88). Lettajoe Gallup (Fr., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS) achieved the Bearcats' low round of the second day, as she registered a score of 80 to finish tied for 12th place at 167. Gallup improved by seven strokes from an 87 in the first round.

Also contributing for the Bearcats were Mckenzie Weinhold (Fr., Placerville, CA/El Dorado HS/Univ. of Nevada-Reno) and Mele Ana Kastner (Fr., Vancouver, WA/Columbia River HS). Weinhold finished 22nd with a score of 176 (87-89). Kastner shot 183 (88-95).

The NWC Spring Classic counts for one-fourth of the overall NWC championship. The NWC Fall Classic also counts for one-fourth, with the NWC Championship Tournament (April 21-22) counting for one-half.

Willamette will travel to Georgetown, Texas, for the West Region Invitational at the Berry Creek Country Club on Monday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 10. Southwestern University is hosting the tournament.