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

OREGON CITY, ORE. -- Willamette University golfer Ryan Kukula (Jr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) shot a 5-under-par 67 to top the individual standings and help the Bearcats lead the team standings by 15 strokes during the first round of the Northwest Conference Fall Classic in men's golf, on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Stone Creek Golf Club.

Kukula achieved a 5-stroke lead in the medalist race. Teammate Chase Lamothe (Fr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) was in second place with an even-par 72. Jacob Armelino (Fr., Redding, CA/University Prep), also from Willamette, was part of a three-way tie for third at 73.

Tied with Armelino were Matt Kitto from the University of Puget Sound and Oliver Rudnicki from Whitworth University. Kevin McCrossin and Kelekolio Moore, both from Pacific Lutheran University, were tied for sixth place at 74.

Adam Bean of UPS and Jonathan Ross (Jr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS) of Willamette each owned part of eight place at 75. Clark Wilson (Fr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) of Willamette carded a 76 and was tied with three other golfers for 10th place.

Kukula, Lamothe, Armelino, Ross and Wilson combined for an outstanding first 18 holes for the Bearcats. Kukula was particularly strong over the first nine holes, as he registered a 4-under par prior to the turn.

For the round, Willamette shot a 1-under-par 287 to build it's double-digit lead. Whitworth held second place at 302.

Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound shared third place at 304. Linfield College was fifth at 314, with Lewis & Clark College in sixth at 323. Pacific University was seventh with a score of 327, George Fox University was eighth at 334 and Whitman College was ninth at 335.

The tournament will conclude with the final 18 holes on Sunday, Oct. 27 at Stone Creek. The NWC Fall Classic counts for one-fourth of the overall 2013-14 NWC championship, while the NWC Spring Classic counts for another fourth and the NWC Championship Tournament is worth one-half.