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

SUNRIVER, Ore. -- Willamette University overcome an early deficit to take the lead after 18 holes at the 2016 Northwest Conference Tournament in men's golf on Saturday, April 23 at Crosswater Golf Course. Peter Mitzel (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) led the Bearcats by shooting a 1-under-par 71 and was tied for first place on the individual leaderboard when the round ended.

Men's Live Results
Championship Information

Willamette trailed Whitworth University by 15 strokes after nine holes, but the Bearcats rallied over the final nine holes to take a two-stroke lead. With all players teeing off from the 10th hole on Saturday, it was over the front nine that Willamette made its charge.

The Bearcats' team score was 298, while Whitworth finished the day at 300. Pacific Lutheran University was third at 306. The tournament will conclude with 18 holes on Sunday.

Willamette or Whitworth can win the overall NWC Championship by winning this weekend's tournament. Both teams entered the weekend with 15 points in the NWC team standings.

Following Willamette, Whitworth and PLU was George Fox University in fourth place at 312. Lewis & Clark College and Linfield College were tied for fifth at 314, while University of Puget Sound was seventh at 316. Whitman College was eighth at 330 and Pacific University was ninth at 349.

Mitzel and Jacob Bell from Lewis & Clark College, who also shot a 71, were tied for the individual lead. They were the only golfers to shoot below par. Andrew Dodge of Whitworth was third at even-par 72.

Tyler McQuilkin from Whitworth held the fourth position on the leaderboard with a 73. He was followed by five golfers -- Steven Rodriguez (Sr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) and Clark Wilson (Jr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) of Willamette, plus Brett Golden of Puget Sound, Zach Mode from George Fox and Oliver Rudnicki of Whitworth -- all tied for fifth at 75.

Chase Lamothe (Sr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) from Willamette was part of a thre-way tie for 15th place at 77. Also competing for Willamette was Trent Jones (Fr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS), who shot a 79 and was one of three athletes tied for 21st. A total of 45 golfers completed the first round.