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

GEORGETOWN, TEXAS -- Willamette University freshman golfer Ryan Kukula (Fr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) shot a 70 during the second 18 holes on Monday, April 9 to tie for the low round of the day, as the first two rounds at Berry Creek Country Club were completed to start the West Region Invitational. Kukula overcame an 85 in the first round to move into a tie for 11th overall at 155.

The tournament will conclude on Tuesday, April 10 when the action is set to resume at Berry Creek.

Kukula's 70 in the second round matched the top individual, Jack Cersosimo from Concordia University (Texas), for the best round of the opening day. Cersosimo, who began the tournament with a 73 in the first round, carded a 70 in the second round. Cersosimo's overall score of 143 was 1-under-par and gave him a two-stroke lead.

Lewis Peters of Millsaps College (Miss.) was second with a combined score of 145 (71-74), while Cameron Button from Southwestern University (Texas) was third at 146 (75-71). Two golfers, James Charles from Southwestern and Bryce Myburgh from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, were tied for fourth at 178. Charles carded 76-72, while Myburgh shot 72-76.

Kukula led the five athletes competing for the Bearcats in the men's competition. Cody Plofker (Fr., Montclair, NJ/Montclair HS) followed with a score of 171 (82-89), while Jonathan Ross (Fr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS) shot 174 (87-87).

Jacob Simonson (So., Fairview, OR/Reynolds HS) recorded a score of 179 for WU after improving by five strokes in the second round (92-87). Kyle Derby (So., Oakdale, CA/Oakdale HS) shot 192 (95-97).

Host Southwestern held the top spot in the team standings with a 36-hole score of 603 (302-301). Concordia University (Texas) was 12 strokes back in second place with a score of 615 (310-305) and Trinity University (Texas) was third at 621 (313-308). Millsaps followed in fourth place at 622 (309-313), while LeTourneau University (Texas) was fifth at 625 (310-325).

Texas Lutheran University owned sixth place at 633 (320-313) and Mary Hardin-Baylor was seventh at 637 (326-311). George Fox University held eighth place at 651 (328-323), Willamette was ninth at 679 (346-333) and the University of Dallas (Texas) was 10th at 695 (343-352).