By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- The Willamette University men's golf team was in second place at the Whitman Confluence Classic with a score of 5-under par 283, during the first round on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Veterans Memorial Golf Course. Pomona-Pitzer College (Calif.) led the team standings at 13-under par 275. Host Whitman College was third at 5-over par 293.

Four Bearcats were among the top 10 and ties after 18 holes. Jack McMullin (Jr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) was third with a 4-under par 68. Andrew Kibbee (Grad., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS) was tied for fourth place at 2-under 70. Alex Weirth (Sr., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) shared part of a four-way tie for sixth place at 1-under par 71. Riley Lankford (Grad., Pilot Rock, OR/Pilot Rock HS) was in a three-way tie for 10th place at even par 72.

Willamette entered an "A" team and a "B" team in the tournament, giving the Bearcats a total of 10 golfers competing in the event. Willamette's "A" group includes McMullin, Kibbee, Weirth, Lucas Paul (Fy., Salem, OR/South Salem HS), and Paxton Jones (So., Wellington, NZ/Scots College). The "B" team features Lankford, Brock Olson (Fy., Kirkland, WA/Lake Washington HS), Oliver Smith (Fy., San Jose, CA/Pioneer HS), Carlos Cortez Dequidt (Sr., San Diego, CA/Torrey Pines HS), and Andrew Cerqui (So., Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS).

Highlighting the Bearcats' round were eagles by McMullin and Smith. McMullin recorded his eagle with a two on the par 4 ninth hole. Smith achieved his eagle with a three on the par 5 eighth hole. McMullin's round also included four birdies, 11 pars, and a pair of bogeys. Kibbee earned three birdies and just one bogey.

Pomona-Pitzer, Willamette, and Whitman were followed by Whitworth University in fourth place at 295 and by North Idaho College in fifth place at 296. Willamette's "B" team, Linfield University, and Pacific Lutheran University were tied for sixth place at 303. Linfield's "B" team was ninth with a score of 304 and George Fox University was 10th at 305. Whitworth's "B" team held 11th place at 3067, while the University of Puget Sound was 12th at 321, and Lewis & Clark College was 13th at 336.

On the individual leaderboard, Yuki Bannai of Pomona-Pitzer was in first place by two strokes with a 7-under par 65 in the opening round. He led teammate John Kim, who was in second place at 5-under 67. McMullin of Willamette was third with his 68, while Kibbee of Willamette was tied with Tom Hoyne of Whitman for fourth place at 70.

The four-way tie for sixth place at 1-under 71 included Weirth, Brenden Borck of George Fox, Josh McCartain from North Idaho College, and David Wong from Pomona-Pitzer Golfers tied for 10th place at 72 were Lankford from Willamette's "B" team, Joshua Clogston of Pacific Lutheran, and Max Rockpohr from Pomona-Pitzer.

Other top results from Saturday's round for the Bearcats were carded by Jones and Paul. Jones carded a 74 and Paul registered a 75. In addition, Olson and Smith from the WU "B" team both shot a 76. Overall, 76 golfers completed the first round.

The Whitman Confluence Classic will continue with the second round on Monday, Oct. 24. Action will move to the Wine Valley Golf Club, also in Walla Walla.