By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Lexi Towner (Jr., Chico, CA/Chico HS) of Willamette University competed in the first round of the Northwest Conference Fall Classic in women's golf on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Michelbook Country Club. The tournament will conclude with the second round on Sunday, Oct. 14.

Towner shot a 96 in the first round. She was tied for 30th place at the end of 18 holes.

George Fox University led the team standings with a score of 323. Whitman College was just one stroke off the pace in second at 324. Lewis & Clark College held third place at 336, while Whitworth University was fourth at 338 and Pacific University was fifth at 359. Pacific Lutheran University followed in sixth place at 363 and University of Puget Sound was seventh at 396. Willamette and Linfield did not field complete teams.

The individual leader after 18 holes was Shiyang Fan of Whitman with a 1-over-par 73. She held a five-stroke lead. Mady Rhodenbaugh of L&C was second at 78 and Janelle Dekcer from George Fox was third at 79. Iris Kawada of GFU and Allie Slingsby of Whitworth were tied for fourth place at 80. Emma Beyer from Whitman was sixth with an 81.