By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

WARRENTON, Ore. -- Willamette University registered a team score of 9-under par 279 to build an eight-stroke lead on Saturday, Oct. 2, during the first round of the George Fox University Invitational at the Astoria Golf and Country Club. Alex Weirth (Sr., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) of Willamette was tied for first place after 18 holes with a 5-under par 67. Two other Bearcats, Austin Davis (Sr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) and Andrew Kibbee (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS), were tied with three other golfers for fifth place at 2-under-par 70. The tournament will conclude with the second round on Sunday, Oct. 3.

Jack McMullin (So., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) of Willamette added an even-par 72 to hold 10th place on the individual leaderboard. Paxton Jones (Fy., Wellington, NZ/Scots College) also competed for the Bearcats on Saturday and recorded a score of 74 to tie five other competitors for 13th place.

Willamette was one of just two teams to earn combined scores that were under par. Willamette 9-under 279 was followed by Whitman College in second place at 1-under par 287. Whitworth University was in third place at 291 and Pacific Lutheran University was fourth at 295. Pacific University and George Fox were tied for fifth place with matching scores of 299. Linfield University and the University of Puget Sound shared seventh place at 307. Lewis & Clark College was in eighth place with a score of 338.

Weirth ended the round in a tie with Oliver Nordberg of Whitworth for first place at 67. Max Ray-Keil of Whitman and Caleb Belton of Whitworth each shot a 69 to share third place in the standings. The five-player tie for fifth place included Davis, Kibbee, Mason Rodewald from Pacific, Josh Clogston of Pacific Lutheran, and Alex Knox from Whitman, all at 70. McMullin's 72 placed himi 10th overall and completed the list of players who shot par or below par. A total of 46 golfers are competing in the tournament.