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

NEWBERG, ORE. -- Willamette University held a five-stroke lead after the first round of the Northwest Conference Fall Classic in men's golf, but Whitworth University won the second round by 13 strokes, forcing the Bearcats to take second place in the final standings on Sunday, Oct. 26. The tournament was held at Chehalem Glenn Golf Course.

Action in the first round was suspended on Saturday due to high winds and rain. The first round was completed on Sunday and was followed by the second round of competition.

Whitworth claimed the team title with a 36-hole score of 610. After shooting 310 in the first round, the Pirates lowered their score to 300 in the second round. Willamette finished second at 618. The Bearcats carded a score of 305 in the first round and added 313 in the second round.

Pacific Lutheran University took third place and trailed the Bearcats by a single stroke. The Lutes shot 619 overall (313-306). Linfield College placed fourth at 632 (314-318), while George Fox University was fifth at 638 (324-314). University of Puget Sound earned sixth place with a score of 643 (329-314).

Lewis & Clark College placed seventh at 649 (327-322), with Whitman College in eighth at 656 (338-318). Pacific University was ninth at 766 (377-389).

The Bearcats were led by Ryan Kukula (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS), who tied for second place at 148. Drew Groshong from Lewis & Clark achieved first place by one stroke at 3-over-par 147. He shot 72-75. Kukula was tied with Scott Martin of Whitman, as Kukula shot 73-75 and Martin carded 76-72.

Two golfers tied for fourth place at 150. Adam Bean of Puget Sound registered 78-72, while Oliver Rudnicki of Whitworth shot 76-74. Thomas Huddleston from Pacific Lutheran was sixth at 151 (74-77) and Andrew Dodge from Whitworth was seventh at 152 (77-75).

Clark Wilson (So., Ocean Park, WA/ Ilwaco HS) of Willamette tied four other golfers for 11th place at 156. Wilson carded a 74 in the first round and an 82 in the second round. Jonathan Ross (Sr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS) tied for 16th at 157 (80-77), whilePeter Mitzel (So., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) placed 20th at 159 (78-81).

Steven Rodriguez (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) also competed for the Bearcats. He shot 163 with an 83 in the first round and an 80 over the final 18 holes.

The NWC Fall Classic is worth one-fourth of the NWC team title. The NWC Spring Classic also is worth one-fourth. The NWC Tournament, which will be played late next spring, is worth one-half of the title.

Willamette has concluded its fall season. The Bearcats will return to action during the second semester.