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

KENNEWICK, WASH. -- Willamette University is in sixth place after the first round of the 2012 Northwest Conference Championship Tournament with a score of 314 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course. The Bearcats are 11 points out of third place. Linfield leads the team standings at 293.

Leading the Bearcats on Saturday was Cody Plofker (Fr., Montclair, NJ/Montclair HS) with a 75 for 11 place on the leaderboard. Alex Fitch of Linfield held first place with a 4-under-par 68, giving him a one-stroke lead of Dustin Hegge of Pacific Lutheran University, who earned a 69.

The NWC Championship Tournament will conclude on Sunday, April 22 with the final 18 holes. The tournament counts for one-half of the overall NWC men's golf championship, with the NWC Fall Classic and the NWC Spring Classic each counting for one-fourth of the title.