By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University finished in eighth place at the Northwest Conference Men's Fall Classic, held on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Heron Lakes Golf Course. During Sunday's second round, Willamette improved by 20 strokes from its score on the first day. The Bearcats finished at 331-311--642.

Shane Adversalo (Sr., Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) was WU's top golfer. He took sixth place with a two-round score of 149. He was one of four golfers in the event who tied for the second lowest score of the second round with a 1-under-par 71. Adversalo recorded a 78 in wet and windy conditions during Saturday's first round.

Tyler Nelson of Linfield College, who won medalist honors, shot a 3-under par 69 on Sunday for the low round of the tournament. His overall score for 36 holes was 141 (72-69). Max Bonk of Pacific University, shot a 71 each day to take second at 142. Bonk's 71 on Saturday was the low score of the opening round.

Nelson and Bonk were followed by Christian Boudreau of Whitworth University in third place at 144 (72-72). Yutaro Sakamoto (74-73) of Linfield and Cameron Whittle of Whitworth (76-71) tied for fourth at 147, as they held off Adversalo by two strokes.

The team championship was won by Linfield with a score of 591 (299-292). Whitworth was second at 594 (306-288), just three strokes behind the Wildcats. Pacific took third at 596 (301-295). The University of Puget Sound was fourth at 607 (309-298), with George Fox University in fifth at 623 (323-300), Pacific Lutheran University in sixth at 624 (311-313), Whitman College in seventh at 629 (324-305), Willamette in eighth at 642 (331-311) and Lewis & Clark College in ninth at 658 (332-326).

Adversalo led WU's five golfers entered in the tournament. Robbie Beard (Sr., Yankton, SD/Yankton HS) shot a solid round of 75 on the second day to finish tied for 27th at 157 (82-75). Taylor McKenzie (So., Hermiston, OR/Hermiston HS) improved by seven strokes in the second round for an overall score of 166 (87-79).

Alex Bennett (Sr., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) carded a 36-hole score of 170 (84-86). Sam Church (So., San Carlos, CA/Sequoia HS) finished at 180 (93-97).

The Northwest Conference Fall Classic counts toward one-fourth of the overall NWC championship. The NWC Spring Classic will count for another quarter, with the NWC Championship tournament providing the final half.

Willamette has concluded its fall season. The Bearcats will return to action in the spring.