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

BANKS, ORE. -- Willamette University took first place in the team standings at the Willamette Cup in men's golf on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Quail Valley Golf Course. The Bearcats recorded a team score of 301 to win by three strokes over Linfield College at 304. Pacific University was third at 342.

Clark Wilson (So., Ocean Park, WA/ Ilwaco HS) of Willamette and Taylor Klopp of Linfield tied for medalist honors at 73. Steven Rodriguez (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) of WU placed third just one stroke back at 74. Peter Mitzel (So., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) for the Bearcats and Grant Loriaux of Linfield tied for fourth place at 75.

Logan Davis of Linfield earned sixth place after carding a 76. Willamette athletes Ryan Kukula (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS), Chase Lamothe (So., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) and Jonathan Ross (Sr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS) tied for seventh at 77. Also tied for seventh was Kevin Kawasaki of Linfield.

The team championship was the second in a row for the Bearcats at the Willamette Cup. Last season, WU took first place when the event was held at the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn, Ore., with a score of 312.

Individually, Wilson moved up from second place last season into the tie with Klopp for first place this year.

Willamette will return to competition on March 14-15 at the Pioneer Invitational, set for Heron Lakes Golf Course in Portland, Ore. The tournament will be hosted by Lewis & Clark College, with the men's event scheduled for the Great Blue Course.