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

PENDLETON, ORE. -- The Bearcats on the Willamette University men's golf team were in sixth place, but only 14 strokes out of the lead, after the first day of the Northwest Conference Spring Classic on Saturday, March 31 at the Wildhorse Golf Course. Pacific Lutheran recorded the lowest team score of the day at 299, but the Lutes owned just a 1-stroke lead.

The close battle in the team standings had the second, third and fourth place squads within five points of the lead. Whitman College was second at 300 and Whitworth University was third at 303. University of Puget Sound ended the day in fourth with a score of 304.

Linfield College held fifth place at 310, while Willamette was sixth at 313 and George Fox was seventh at 316. The top seven teams were separated by just 17 points.

Trailing the top seven were Pacific University in eighth place at 333 and Lewis & Clark College in ninth place at 365.

Stephen Plopper of Whitworth shot a 3-under-par 69 to lead all golfers in the race for medalist honors. Scott Martin of Whitman was second with a 70 and Jesse Salzwedel from Whitworth was third with a 71. Dustin Hegge from Pacific Lutheran was fourth after matching par with a 72. Alex Fitch of Linfield was fifth at 73.

Willamette golfers Jonathan Ross (Fr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS) and Jacob Simonson (So., Fairview, OR/Reynolds HS) were tied for 15th place with scores of 77. Ryan Kukula (Fr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) carded a 78 and was tied for 19th. Kyle Derby (So., Oakdale, CA/Oakdale HS) and Cody Plofker (Fr., Montclair, NJ/Montclair HS) each shot an 81.

Action in the NWC Spring Classic will conclude on Sunday, April 1, with the final round starting at 9:30 a.m. (PDT).