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

GEORGETOWN, TEXAS -- Willamette University freshman golfer Mckenzie Weinhold (Placerville, CA/El Dorado HS/Univ. of Nevada-Reno) tied for second place at the West Region Invitational with a 36-hole score of 163, as the two-day event concluded on Tuesday, April 10 at the Berry Creek Country Club. The Bearcats finished in sixth place in the team standings at 726.

Weinhold tied for second with Taylor O'Rear from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor after both golfers shot a 79 in the first round, followed by an 84 in the second round.

When the second round started, Weinhold and O'Rear were tied for the lead, but Karissa Speck from Southwestern University made a great comeback to win the tournament.

Speck shot 160 for the 36 holes. She carded an 84 on the first day and was tied for eighth entering the second round. She led all players over the final 18 holes with a score of 76, as she surged into the lead.

There was a three-way tie for fourth place between Kesley Coburn of Southwestern, Molly Zumbro from Trinity University (Texas) and Kelly Gonyea from Mary Hardin-Baylor, as each carded a 165. Coburn and Zumbro shot 82-83, while Gonyea shot 84-81.

Willamette's Nicole Smith (Fr., Portland, OR/Westview HS) tied for 15th place with a two-day total of 173. She shot an 86 in the first round and concluded the tournament with an 87 in the second round.

Also competing for the Bearcats were Lettajoe Gallup (Fr., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS) and Mele Ana Kastner (Fr., Vancouver, WA/Columbia River HS). Gallup and Kastner both finished the 36 holes at 195, as Gallup shot 95-100 and Kastner shot 101-94.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor won the team title with a score of 667 (336-331). Southwestern took second place just three strokes beyond UMHB at 670 (334-336). Trinity claimed third place at 683 (337-346), while St. Mary's College (Ind.) was fourth at 687 (345-342).

Concordia University (Texas) earned fifth place at 701 (353-348). Willamette's sixth-place score of 726 included a 361 on the first day and a 365 on the second day. Texas Lutheran University placed seventh at 747 (372-375).

Willamette will return to the links on Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 with the Willamette Invitational at Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem, Ore. The action will get underway at 12 p.m. (PDT).