By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Austin Davis (Sr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) and Andrew Kibbee (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS) of Willamette University each shot 1-under par 71 in the first round of the Linfield Fall Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 25 to end the day as the tournament's co-leaders. Their efforts also helped the Bearcats build a 12-stroke lead in the team standings. Action at the tournament will resume with the final round on Sunday, Sept. 25 at Michelbook Country Club.

Davis and Kibbee each recorded four birdies and three bogeys in the first round. They led the tournament by one stroke over teammate Jack McMullin (So., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS), who carded an even-par 72 for the Bearcats. Dante Heitschmidt from George Fox University was fourth with a 73. Eli Jamieson from Lewis & Clark College and Mason Rohleder of GFU were tied for fifth place at 74. A total of 43 players completed the first round.

Alex Weirth (Sr., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) of Willamette was eighth in the standings with a 76. Paxton Jones (Fy., Wellington, NZ/Scots College) was tied for 18th at 81, while Riley Lankford (Sr., Pilot Rock, OR/Pilot Rock HS) was tied for 22nd with an 82.

The Bearcats completed the opening round with a score of 6-over par 290. George Fox held second place at 320, with Linfield University in third at 318. Lewis & Clark was fourth at 322, the University of Puget Sound was fifth at 325, Pacific University followed in sixth at 329, and the Pacific University "B" team was seventh at 362.