Towner Improves by Three Strokes, Moves Up Two Spots at NWC Fall Classic

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University women's golfer Lexi Towner (Jr., Chico, CA/Chico HS) moved up two spots on the leaderboard and improved by three strokes on the final day of the Northwest Conference Fall Classic on Sunday, Oct. 14 at Michelbook Country Club. Towner finished in a tie for 28th place after ending the first round of competition on Saturday tied for 30th place.

During the tournament, Tanner shot 189 for 36 holes. She carded a 96 in the first round and shot a 93 in the second round on Sunday.

Shiyang Fan of Whitman College won the individual title with a score of 5-over-par 149. She shot a 73 in the first round on the par-72 course and then added a 76 in the second round. Fan took first place eight strokes.

George Fox University athletes Iris Kawada and Kayle Hunn tied Emma Beyer from Whitman for second place at 157. Kawada shot scores of 80 and 77, while Hunn carded results of 82 and 75, and Beyer recorded rounds of 81 and 76. Mady Rhodenbaugh of Lewis & Clark College earned fifth place at 158 (78-80).

Two golfers, Janelle Decker of GFU and Hannah Roh of Whitman, tied for sixth place with scores of 160. Decker shot 79-81 and Roh shot 83-77. Rachel Drgastin of GFU was eighth at 162 (83-79).

George Fox won the team title with a score of 635 after shooting 323 in the first round and 312 in the second round. Whitman placed second at 642 (324-318), Lewis & Clark was third at 670 (336-334), and Whitworth was fourth at 684 (338-346). Pacific University grabbed fifth place at 719 (359-360), while Pacific Lutheran University was sixth at 729 (363-366). University of Puget Sound placed seventh with a score of 768 (396-372). Willamette and Linfield did not enter complete teams.