By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

PORTLAND, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's golf team concluded its 2009-10 season on Sunday, April 25 at the Northwest Conference Championship, held at the Heron Lakes Golf Course in Portland, Ore. Whitworth University claimed the team title by three strokes over George Fox University.

Haylee Chung (Fr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) registered the lowest score for the Bearcats. She recorded a 179 (86-93) to finish in 28th place. Chung, just a freshman, has a promising future as a Bearcat.

Serena Cualoping (Fr., Manila, Philippines, International School) carded a 192 (96-96) to finish in a three-way tie for 38th place.

Emily Guthrie from Whitworth won the individual title. Guthrie (80-79) and Sarah Bicker (83-76) from the University of Puget Sound each carded a 159, but Guthrie captured the victory after winning on the first playoff hole. Brianna Nap of George Fox was third at 160 (83-77).

Whitworth earned the automatic bid for the NCAA Division III Tournament thanks to the victory. However, Whitworth and George Fox finished tied for the overall NWC Championship, as GFU won both the Fall Classic and Spring Classic.
The NWC Championship tournament counts for 50% of the overall title, with the Fall Classic and Spring Classic each counting for 25%.

The winning score for Whitworth was 654, while George Fox took second with a score of 657. The University of Puget Sound took third place in the team standings at 673, eleven strokes ahead of fourth place finisher Linfield College at 684.

Whitman College finished in fifth place with a score of 693, five strokes ahead of Pacific University in sixth at 698. Pacific Lutheran University (736), Willamette University (841) and Lewis & Clark College (896) finished in seventh, eighth and ninth place, respectively.

NWC All-Conference Team

Emily Guthrie - Whitworth
Sarah Bicker - Puget Sound
Brianna Nap - George Fox
Brynn Hurdus - Linfield
Kelsey Morrison - George Fox
Mandy Cameron - George Fox
Maresa Jenson - Puget Sound
Valerie Kitamori - Pacific