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

PENDLETON, ORE. -- Willamette University freshman Nicole Smith (Portland, OR/Westview HS) carded a 76 on the first day of the Northwest Conference Spring Classic in women's golf to move into second place with one round remaining. Kelsey Morrison from George Fox University shot a 1-under-par 71 for a 5-stroke lead. Nicole Lomax of Whitworth University was third with a 77.

Led by Morrison, George Fox surged out to the early lead in the team standings. The Bruins shot a team score of 312 during the first day for an 8-stroke lead at the Wildhorse Golf Course in Pendleton, Ore. Whitman College was in second place at 320.

Whitworth followed in third place at 328. Linfield College ended the day in fourth at 331. Willamette was fifth after shooting 338. The Bearcats were just 10 strokes out of third place.

Pacific Lutheran University concluded the round in sixth place at 356, with Pacific University in seventh at 385 and University of Puget Sound in eighth at 419. Lewis & Clark College did not field a complete team.

Morrison, Smith and Lomax led the field and were three of the five golfers who shot under 80 in the first round. Hannah Christianson of Linfield and Elaine Whaley from Whitman each finished the day with a 78 to tie for fourth place in the standings.

In addition to Smith, other golfers for Willamette were Lettajoe Gallup (Fr., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS), Mckenzie Weinhold (Fr., Placerville, CA/El Dorado HS/Univ. of Nevada-Reno) and Mele Ana Kastner (Fr., Vancouver, WA/Columbia River HS).

Gallup and Weinhold each shot an 87 for the Bearcats. Kastner ended the round with an 88.

The NWC Spring Classic will conclude with the second round on Saturday, April 1, starting at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).