By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

ALOHA, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's golf team competed on the first day of the Northwest Conference Fall Classic at The Reserve Vineyard and Golf Club on Saturday, March 27. The Bearcats finished the day in eighth place.

George Fox University led the team standings with a 306. The Bruins held a 53-stroke lead over Whitman College in second place at 359. Pacific Lutheran University was third at 376, and Whitworth University was fourth at 378. The University of Puget Sound followed in fifth place at 396, with Pacific University in sixth place at 403. Lewis & Clark College was seventh at 438, while Willamette was eighth at 478. Linfield University did not field a complete team.

Analyssa Ruiz (Sr./So., Keizer, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) topped Willamette with a score of 111. Meghan Hook (Jr./So., Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) carded a 118. Kiki Fierstos (Jr./So., Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) shot 124 and Alexis Schwartz (Sr./So., Ontario, OR/Ontario HS) shot 125.

The battle for medalist honors featured Alison Takamiya of George Fox in first place with a 73. Allie Slingsby of GFU held second place, just one stroke behind Takamiya at 74. Makensie Toole, also from GFU, was third with a 77. Kamryn Ford of Lewis & Clark ended the 18 holes in fourth place with an 80. Kaitlyn Tonai from George Fox was fifth at 82, while teammate Alexandria McMennamin was sixth at 85. Madeline Hahn of Whitworth held seventh place with an 86.

Last semester, the NWC Fall Classic was postponed due to COVID-19. Action at the tournament will conclude with 18 holes on Sunday, March 28.