By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

DuPONT, Wash. -- Willamette University was fourth in the team standings after 18 holes, as the first round concluded at the Puget Sound Invitational in women's golf on Saturday, March 7 at The Home Course. Lexi Towner (Sr., Chico, CA/Chico HS) of Willamette was tied for 17th in the individual standings.

Whitman College and Whitworth University were tied for the team lead with scores of 333. St. Martin's University (Wash.) was third at 335, with Willamette in fourth at 394, Bellevue Community College (Wash.) in fifth at 399 and the University of Puget Sound in sixth at 408. The tournament will conclude with the second round, set for Sunday, March 8.

Towner was followed on Willamette's team scorecard by Kristen Barclay (Sr./Jr., Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) and Meghan Hook (So./Fy., Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS), who both shot 96 and were tied for 19th. Analyssa Ruiz (So./Fy., Keizer, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) of Willamette carded a 108, while Alexis Schwartz (So./Fy., Ontario, OR/Ontario HS) shot 120 and Kiki Fierstos (So./Fy., Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) shot 126. 

The individual leader at the end of the first round was Allie Slingsby from Whitworth, who shot a 1-over-par 73. She held a three-stroke lead. Emma Beyer of Whitman and Kathryn Crimp of St. Martin's were tied for second at 76. Two more golfers, Hannah Roh from Whitman and Vreni Todd from Bellevue CC, shared foruth place at 82. Michaela Morris from St. Martin's was eighth with an 85.