By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's golf team has been selected to compete at the 2021 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia, from May 11 through May 14. Willamette earned its trip to the NCAA Tournament by winning the overall Northwest Conference Championship. The Bearcats took second place at the NWC Fall Classic, won the NWC Spring Classic, and finished second at the NWC Tournament for their second consecutive title.

It was WU's second straight NWC title after winning the championship in 2018-19. The NWC The NWC did not award a championship in 2019-20 after COVID-19 cut the season short.

A total of 37 teams and six individuals were chosen for this year's NCAA Division III Championship. Bethany College (W.V.) and the Presidents' Athletic Conference will be hosting the tournament. Thirty teams received automatic bids by winning conference championships. Four at-large bids went to independents or to teams in conferences without automatic bids. Three at-large bids went to the top remaining teams.

"We are incredibly honored to represent Willamette University and the Northwest Conference at the NCAA National Championship," Willamette Head Coach Patrick Daugherty said. "We are really excited to get back the NCAA's and we know it's not something to take for granted. Winning conference championships in the NWC is hard and I don't think our conference gets the credit it deserves for competition, and this year was no exception. The field is stacked with teams playing to win every weekend."

All 191 golfers in the tournament will participate in the first two rounds. After the second round, the field will be reduced to the top 18 teams plus the top six individuals not on one of the advancing teams. The reduced field of 96 golfers will compete in the final two rounds. Overall scores will include all four rounds.

"The National Championship is really special and the guys have been working hard to be ready to compete with the other 36 teams from across the country," Daugherty commented. "This is their time to compete on a national stage and I know they are ready to take on the challenge."

Competing for Willamette at this year's national event will be Austin Davis (Jr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS), Andrew Kibbee (Jr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS), Alex Weirth (So., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy), Riley Lankford (So./Fy., Pilot Rock, OR/Pilot Rock HS), and Aunders Erickson (Grad., Portland, OR/Westview HS/Ohio Wesleyan Univ.).

Willamette is participating in the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship for the second time in school history. The Bearcats also qualified for the NCAA Championship in 2018-19 and finished in 13th place. Prior to joining the NCAA for the 1998-99 athletic year, the Bearcats qualified for the NAIA Men's Golf Championship eight times. Willamette placed 14th at the NAIA Championship in 1975 and 1976.