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

PACIFIC GROVE, CALIF. -- Willamette University finished in fifth place with a team score of 676 at the UCSC Spring Invitational, as action concluded with the second round on Sunday, March 30 at the Pacific Grove Golf Links.

George Fox University won the team title at 623 (316-307). The Bruins registered the low round of the tournament with a 307 in the second round. University of Redlands (Calif.) placed second at 629 (319-310) and Carleton College (Minn.) took third place at 641 (329-312).

Whitworth University was fourth with a score of 664 (335-329). Willamette's score of 676 in fifth place included 343 in the first round and 333 in the second round, as the Bearcats improved by 10 strokes.

University of California-Santa Cruz was sixth at 697 (354-343), while Pacific Lutheran University was seventh at 699 (346-353). Whittier College (Calif.) placed ninth at 734 (371-363).

Taneesh Sra (So., Fremont, CA/Mission San Jose HS) was Willamette's top individual, as she placed 21st out of 49 competitors with a score of 165 (84-81). She was just five strokes out of the top 10. LettaJoe Gallup (Jr., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS) tied for 23rd place at 168 (84-84).

Elise Levy (So., Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS) carded a 36-hole score of 171 for the Bearcats. Levy improved from an 88 in the first round to an 83 over the final 18 holes.

Willamette's Jessi Weaver (Fr., Lincoln City, OR/Taft HS) shot 172 (87-85) and Mckenzie Weinhold (Jr., Placerville, CA/El Dorado HS/Univ. of Nevada-Reno) of WU shot 174 (88-86). Both golfers reduced their scores by two shots in the second round.

Medalist honors were achieved by Sydney Maluenda from George Fox, who won the tournament by three strokes with a 6-over-par 150 (77-73). Her score of 73 on Sunday was the second-lowest round of the two-day event.

Hannah Durette from Redlands and Loreece Magsanide of GFU tied for second place at 153. Durette was the leader after 18 holes with a 72, but shot an 81 in the second round. Magsanide carded a 76 in the first round and followed that up with a 77.

Taylor Wells from Carleton was fourth at 155 (79-76). Charlene Dahlstrom of UC-Santa Cruz took fifth place at 156 (82-74).

Three golfers tied for sixth at 159. They were Dalton Meade of Redlands (81-78), Madison Perry of GFU (82-77) and Geraldi Tellbuscher of Carlton (79-80). Kari Gordon of Redlands (83-77) and Shannon Holden of Carleton (85-75) tied for ninth at 160.

Willamette will play at the Northwest Conference Spring Classic on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick, Wash. The Spring Classic is one of three tournaments that determine the NWC championship. It is worth one-fourth of the overall total.