Written by Mark Colachico, Athletic Communications Writer

PENDLETON, Ore. - After the opening round of the Whitworth Invitational, the Willamette University men's golf team holds a nine-stroke lead after posting a combined score of 1-under 287, led by Trent Jones (So., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) with a 7-under-par 65, on Saturday, March 11 at Wildhorse Golf Course.

"As a team, I thought they're performance was electric and contagious," said Willamette Head Coach Patrick Daugherty. "Trent's 65 was really fun to watch, but not at all surprising."

Jones, who is the reigning Northwest Conference Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week, posted a career-low score en route to securing the overnight lead by five shots over Linfield's Lucas Balala with 18 holes remaining in the tournament. Balala held second place with a 70.

This is the fifth time during his young career that Jones has posted a single-round score in the 60s. The second-year Bearcat had a previous career-low of 67 during the Willamette Spring Thaw on April 16, 2016.

Along with Jones, Kenneth Sheldon (So., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) also posted a career-low, as he tied his top round with a 1-under 71. Sheldon ended the day tied for third place with Logan Davis of Winfield. Sheldon shot 71 for the third time this season and for the fourth round of his young career. Keegan Loo from Whitworth was fifth at even-par 72.

Clark Wilson (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) and Peter Mitzel (Sr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) also figured in the team scoring, as the duo posted scores of 3-over 75 and 4-over 76, respectively. Wilson was tied for eight and Mitzel was tied for 10th.

Sam Hinton (Seaside, OR/Seaside HS) rounded out the Bearcat scorers on the official team entry, as the sophomore tied Mitzel and two other golfers with a 76.

Playing as individuals, Collin Fuller (Sr., Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS), Spencer Hong (Jr., Bellevue, WA/Singpore American School) each shot 78. Dylan King (So., Cottonwood, CA/West Valley HS), also competing as an individual, posted an opening round score of 85.

Behind the Bearcats on the team leaderboard was Linfield at 296. Tournament host Whitworth was third at 298, University of Puget Sound was fourth at 325, and Whitman College was sixthat 327.

Daugherty added, "The amount of time these guys put in at practice and the quality in which they practice, it's not if, but when they'll go low. I'm proud of each of they're individual performances, but obviously it takes a team to win. I'm really happy to see both of those things come together and hopefully we can close it out tomorrow."

The tournament will conclude with 18 holes tomorrow - Sunday, March 12 - beginning at 12 p.m. (PDT) at the Wildhorse Golf Course.