By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Maddi Barnett (Sr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) of Willamette University shot an 87 in the second round of the Northwest Conference Spring Classic in women's golf on Sunday, April 8 to lead the Bearcats as the tournament concluded at Hangman Valley Golf Course. Barnett, who carded a 91 in the first round, finished in a tie for 22nd overall with a 36-hole score of 187.

Kristin Elich of George Fox University won the individual title with a score of 145 after shooting a 70 in the first round and 75 in the second round. Elich's 70 in the first round was the only 18-hole score below par on the par 72 course. Janelle Decker, also from GFU, earned second place at 147 (74-73). Phoebe Nguyen from Whitman College was third at 149 (73-76). Shiyang Fan of Whitman and Maggie Peters of Whitworth University tied for fourth at 155, as both golfers shot 78-77.

George Fox golfer Kayle Hunn earned sixth place with a score of 156 (79-77). Rachel Drgastin from GFU and Mady Rhodenbaugh from Lewis & Clark College tied for seventh place at 157. Drgastin carded rounds of 77 and 80, while Rhodenbaugh achieved scores of 76 and 81.

A three-way tie split ninth place between Alex McMenamin from George Fox, Jaymie Pentony from Whitworth and Hannah Roh of Whitman. All three shot 158 for the tournament, with McMenamin and Pentony each recording 79 in both rounds, while Roh carded 75-83.

The first round of the tournament was suspended near the end of play on Saturday due to lightning. Several golfers completed all 18 holes before play was suspended on Saturday, and all athletes were through at least 14 holes. Golfers resumed and completed the first round on Sunday morning. The entire second round was played on Sunday.

George Fox won the team title with a score of 604 (300-304). The Bruin's score in the first round was the low team round of the event. Whitman placed second at 626 (308-318) and Whitworth was third at 652 (326-326). Lewis & Clark finished fourth at 692 (354-347), with Pacific Lutheran University in fifth at 724 (358-366), and Pacific University one point behind the Lutes in sixth at 725 (363-362). Linfield College placed seventh at 748 (371-377), while University of Puget Sound was eighth at 785 (388-397) and Willamette was ninth at 807 (412-395).

The NWC Spring Classic is one of three tournaments used to determine the overall NWC champion. The Spring Classic is worth one-fourth of the overall title and the NWC Fall Classic is worth one-fourth. The NWC Tournament, set for April 21-22, counts for one-half of the title.

Up next for the Bearcats is the Willamette Spring Thaw on Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 in Bend, Oregon. The tournament will be held at Pronghorn Golf Resort.