By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Lexi Towner (Jr., Chico, CA/Chico HS) of Willamette University was tied for fifth place at the end of the first round of the Willamette Valley Cup in women's golf on Saturday, March 16 at Creekside Golf Club. The Bearcats are hosting the tournament, which also includes golfers from Corban University, Johnson & Wales University (Colo.), Lewis & Clark College, Linfield College and Pacific University. Action will conclude on Sunday, March 17 with the second round. Tee times will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Towner shot an 87 and was tied for fifth place with Raelyn Lambert from Corban.

Two other Corban golfers, Delainey Patterson and Casey Jansen, were tied for the individual lead after 18 holes with matching scores of 3-over-par 75. Annie McCuthan from Lewis & Clark was third with an 81, while Kamryn Ford, also from L&C, was fourth with an 82.

Three golfers tied for seventh place at 88 to complete the list of sub-90 rounds on the first day. Those carding an 88 were Haley May and Karly Easterday for Corban, plus Jane Almeida from Lewis & Clark.

Other competitors from Willamette were Kristen Barclay (Jr./So., Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) and Katerin Vasquez (So., Indio, CA/Coachella Valley HS). Barclay carded a 95 and Vasquez shot 115.

Corban led the team standings at 325. Lewis & Clark was second at 342, Pacific was third at 382, and Johnson & Wales was fourth at 696. Linfield and Willamette did not enter complete teams.

Big Moment of the Day for Willamette

Willamette's Lexi Towner shot an 87 in the first round
to tie for fifth place entering Sunday's final round. Only
nine of 26 golfers shot below 90.