By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Lexi Towner (Jr., Chico, CA/Chico HS) of Willamette University shot an 83 in the first round of the Bulldog Classic on Monday, March 25. The tournament, hosted by University of Redlands (Calif.), is being held at The S Club. Action will conclude with the second round on Tuesday, March 26.

Towner's 83 was her second lowest round of the year. It also tied for the third lowest round of Towner's Willamette career. Her lowest round was an 81 on the second day of the Pacific Spring Invitational earlier this season. She shot an 82 during the 2018 NWC Tournament and earned an 83 at the 2017 NWC Tournament.

Also competing at the Bulldog Classic for the Bearcats on Monday were Kristen Barclay (Jr./So., Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) and Katerin Vasquez (So., Indio, CA/Coachella Valley HS). Both shot a 99 in the first round.

The individual leader in the tournament after 18 holes was Kendall Nicholson from Redlands, who shot a 2-under-par 70. Emily Lewis from Chapman University (Calif.) was second with a 1-under-par 71, and Jillian Drinkard of Methodist University (N.C.) was third at even-par 72.

Andi Chaloult of Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) held fourth place at 73. Taylor Beckwith of Whittier College (Calif.) and Paige Church from Methodist were tied for fifth at 74.

Methodist topped the team standings at 299. Redlands was one stroke behind in second place at 300. Pomona-Pitzer was third at 304, with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) in fourht at 305 and Chapman in fifth at 308. Willamette did not record a team score.

Big Moment of the Day for Willamette

Lexi Towner carded an 83 in the first round of the
Bulldog Classic. It was Towner's second lowest
round of the year and also tied for the second
lowest round of her Willamette career.