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

PACIFIC GROVE, CALIF. -- The Willamette University women's golf team ended the first day of the UCSC Spring Invitational, hosted by the University of California-Santa Cruz, holding fifth place in the team standings after 18 holes at the Pacific Grove Gold Links on Saturday, March 29. The tournament will conclude with the second round on Sunday, March 30.

George Fox University topped the team leaderboard with a score of 316. University of Redlands was second at 319, and Carleton College (Minn.) was third at 329.

Whitworth University owned fourth place at 335 and Willamette was fifth at 343. Pacific Lutheran University was in sixth place, three shot behind Willamette at 346. UC-Santa Cruz was seventh at 354 and Whittier College (Calif.) was eighth at 371.

The Bearcats were led by Taneesh Sra (So., Fremont, CA/Mission San Jose HS) and LettaJoe Gallup (Jr., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS), who each shot an 84 in the first round. They were tied with three other golfers four 14th place. A total of 49 athletes are competing in the tournament.

Also playing for Willamette on Saturday were Jessi Weaver (Fr., Lincoln City, OR/Taft HS), Mckenzie Weinhold (Jr., Placerville, CA/El Dorado HS/Univ. of Nevada-Reno) and Elise Levy (So., Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS). Weaver shot an 87, while Weinhold and Levy both carded 88.

The individual leader after the first day was Hannah Durette from Redlands, who achieved a score of even-par 72. Loreece Magsanide of George Fox was second with a 76. Sydney Maluenda of GFU and Desirae Hazelwood of Pacific Lutheran were tied for third place at 77. Two golfers from Carleton, Geraldine Tellbuscher and Taylor Wells, were tied for fifth place, as each shot a 79.