By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

BANKS, Ore. -- Lexi Towner (Sr., Chico, CA/Chico HS) from Willamette University earned medalist honors at the Pacific Spring Invitational in women's golf by topping the field with a 36-hole score of 165 as the tournament concluded on Sunday, March 1 at the Quail Valley Golf Course. Towner won by seven strokes over Kamryn Ford of Lewis & Clark College, who took second place at 172. Kristen Barclay (Sr./Jr., Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) of Willamette placed third at 178.

While winning the individual title, Towner carded an 85 in the first round and followed up with an 80 in the second round to achieve her overall score of 165. Her 80 on Sunday was the low round of the tournament. Ford's second place finish at 172 included 18-hole totals of 9-0 and 82. Barclay reached her third place total of 178 with an 86 in the first round and a 92 in the second round. Completing the top five were Annika Clunk of Lewis & Clark in fourth at 182 (93-89) and Emmi Modahl from the University of Puget Sound in fifth at 184 (96-88).

Brian Finau of Pacific University placed sixth at 187 (94-93). Reagan Barr of Linfield College and Kelsey Nakagawa from Pacific tied for seventh at 188, with Barr shooting 98-90 and Nakagawa registering scores of 94-94.

Puget Sound earned the team title with a score of 764 (390-374). Pacific placed second at 771 (388-383), while Lewis & Clark was third at 784 (394-390) and Willamette placed fourth at 798 (409-389). The Bearcats lowered their 18-hole score by 20 strokes on Sunday.

Joining Towner and Barclay for the Bearcats were Meghan Hook (So./Fy., Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS), Analyssa Ruiz (So./Fy., Keizer, OR/Blanchet Catholic School), and Alexis Schwartz (So./Fy., Ontario, OR/Ontario HS). Hook shot 224 (117-107). Ruiz carded an overall score of 241 (121-120). Schwartz earned a score of 247 (137-110) after improving by 27 strokes on Sunday.

Up next for Willamette is the Puget Sound Invitational on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. The tournament will be held at The Home Course in DuPont, Washington.