By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Willamette University women's golfer Taneesh Sra (Sr., Fremont, CA/Mission San Jose HS) was tied for seventh place after shooting a 77 in the first round of the Northwest Conference Spring Classic on Saturday, April 9 at Wine Valley Golf Club. Sra was tied with two other golfers, Alyssa Main and Madison Pillo, both from Whitman College.

The individual leader through 18 holes was Sydney Maluenda of George Fox University, who carded an even-par 72. Phoebe Nguyen of Whitman, who shot a 74, held second place.

Four golfers were tied for third place at 76. They were Chelsea Bayley from Whitworth University, Shiyang Fan and Lou Points from Whitman, and Hailey Ostrom from George Fox.

Maddi Barnett (So., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) of Willamette shot an 83 and was tied with two golfers for 21st. Aubryn Walters (Fr., Lafayette, OR/McMinnville HS) also competed for the Bearcats and finished the round at 108.

Whitman topped the team standings at 303, but held a slim one-stroke lead over George Fox in second at 304. Lewis & Clark College was third at 317, with Whitworth in fourth at 319. Pacific Lutheran University followed in fifth place at 333, while Linfield College was sixth at 366, and Pacific University was seventh at 368. University of Puget Sound was eighth at 434. Willamette did not field a complete team.

The NWC Spring Classic will conclude with the final 18 holes on Sunday, April 10. All of the golfers in the women's competition will tee off at 9 a.m. (PDT). Sra is scheduled to begin on the seventh hole, with Barnett starting at the eighth hole and Walters getting underway at the ninth hole.