By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
LA VERNE, Calif. -- Willamette University junior Clark Wilson (Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) was tied for first place after 36 holes of action in the West Cup on Monday, March 28 at Sierra La Verne Country Club in La Verne, California. Willamette was in fourth place in the team standings, just one stroke out of a tie for second.
Wilson was tied with Aaron DiGiamarino from University of La Verne (Calif.) at 3-over-par 143. Wilson led all players with a 1-under 69 in the first round and then shot a 74 in the second round. DiGiamarino carded a 70 in the first round and a 73 in the second round.
Two golfers -- Alex Spencer from La Verne and Oliver Rudnicki from Whitworth University -- were tied for third place at 145. Spencer shot 70-75, while Rudnicki earned a 73 in the first round and then shot a 72 to lead all golfers in the second round.
Rowan Foxley from University of Redlands (Calif.) was fifth at 146 with back-to-back rounds of 73. Nick Dallas of California Lutheran University (Calif.) and Justin Bennett of Whittier College were tied for sixth with scores of 147. Dallas carded 72-75, while Bennett shot 74-73.
La Verne led the team standings at 589 (288-301). California Lutheran and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) were tied for second place at 604, with CLU shooting 294-310 and CMS recording 299-305. Willamette followed in fourth at 605 after earning a score of 299 in the first round, followed by 307 in the second round.
Redlands was fifth with a score of 610 (302-308). Chapman University (Calif.) held sixth place at 615 (304-31), while Whitworth University and Trinity University were tied for seventh at 619. Whitworth's golfers shot 305-314, while Trinity recorded 313-306. Occidental College (Calif.) was ninth at 620 (313-306) and Christopher Newport University (Va.) was 10th at 624 (310-314).
Competing with Wilson for the Bearcats were Chase Lamothe (Sr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS), Trent Jones (Fr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS), Steven Rodriguez (Sr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) and Sam Hinton (Fr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS).
Lamothe was tied with three other golfers for 18th place with a 36-hole score of 153 (75-78). Jones owned part of a three-way tie for 33rd at 156 (78-78). Rodriguez carded 158 (76-82), while Hinton shot 162 (85-77).
A total of 14 teams and 78 golfers are competing in the 54-hole event. The tournament will conclude with the final 18 holes on Tuesday, March 29.
