By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University'sLettaJoe Gallup (Jr., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS) shot an 81 to tie for third place during the first round of the Pioneer Invitational at Heron Lakes Golf Club on Saturday, March 14. The Bearcats finished the day in fifth place in the team standings.

Whitworth University held first place with a score of 328 and an eight stroke lead over second place Lewis & Clark College. Pacific Lutheran University was third at 344.

Linfield College held fourth place at 361, followed by Willamette at 378. Pacific University was sixth at 451.

Katie Ochoa of Whitworth led all golfers with a seven over par 79. She held a one stroke lead over teammate Chelsea Bayley, who was in second. Gallup's 81 tied Maggie Harlow and Madeline Rice, both of Linfield, for third, while Arielle Valdez from Lewis & Clark owned sixth place at 82.

Desirae Hazelwood of Pacific Lutheran and Nicole Lomax of Whitworth shared seventh place in the standings after carding an 83. There was a tie for ninth between Claire Burke of Lewis & Clark and Kadyn Coltum from PLU, both at 84.

In addition to Gallup, the Bearcats' team included Taneesh Sra (Jr., Fremont, CA/Mission San Jose HS), Maddi Barnett (Fr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS), and Holly Steele (Fr., Stayton, OR/Stayton HS). Sra tied for 17th place with an 89, whileBennett carded a 93, and Steele recorded a 115.

The Pioneer Invitational will conclude with the second round of action on Sunday, March 15. The tournament is taking place on the Greenback Course at Heron Lakes, which has a total distance of 5,814 yards.