By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

OREGON CITY, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's golf team shot a score of 304 on the first day of the Willamette Cup to build an eight-stroke lead at Stone Creek Golf Club on Saturday, Feb. 25. Trent Jones (So., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) led the Bearcats with an even-par 72 for the top spot on the leaderboard. The second round is set for Sunday, Feb. 26.

Jones held a four-stroke lead over the rest of the field. Four golfers, including Peter Mitzel (Sr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) of Willamette, were tied for second place at 76. Also shooting a 76 were Lucas Balala and Max Hanson from Linfield College and Luke Olson from Pacific University.

Two other Willamette golfers, Collin Fuller (Sr., Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) and Sam Hinton (So., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS) were part of a three-way tie for sixth place with Isaac Grebisz of Linfield. Fuller, Hinton and Grebisz each carded a 77 in the first round.

The top four scores from each five-man team counted toward the team standings. Mitzel of Willamette and Hanson of Linfield were two of seven golfers competing as indivduals.

WU's team score during the first round included results for Jones, Fuller, Hinton and Kenneth Sheldon (So., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS). Sheldon shot a 78 and was tied for ninth place. Clark Wilson carded an 81 and was tied for 13th.

Dylan King (So., Cottonwood, CA/West Valley HS) and Spencer Hong (Jr., Bellevue, WA/Singapore American School) joined Mitzel as WU athletes competing as individuals. King shot a 90 and Hong recorded a 93.

Willamette was followed in the team standings by Linfield in second place at 312. Lewis & Clark College was third at 320 and Pacific was fourth at 333.