By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Lexi Towner (Jr., Chico, CA/Chico HS) of Willamette University carded an 89 in the first round of the 2019 Northwest Conference Tournament in women's golf on Saturday, April 27 at Wine Valley Golf Club. Action in the tournament will conclude with the second round, which is set for Sunday, April 28.

Towner ended the day in 20th place, just one stroke out of a two-way tie for 18th and four strokes away from a four-way tie for 13th. Teammate Katerin Vasquez (So., Indio, CA/Coachella Valley HS) shot a 100 for the Bearcats. It was second lowest round of the year for Vasquez, almost matching her 99 in the first round of the University of Redlands' Bulldog Classic on March 25.

"Both Lexi and Kat faced challenging conditions in Round 1," Willamette Assistant Coach Ryan Melnychuk said. "The wind was gusting most of he day, but they prepared well the day before and wee able to shoot consistent rounds under unique conditions today."

The individual leader after the first round was Shiyang Fan of Whitman College with a 4-over-par 76. She held the lead by one stroke over  Janelle Decker of George Fox University, who was second with a 77. Tied for third place at 78 wee Alexandria McMenamin of GFU and Kamryn Ford from Lewis & Clark College.

Two athletes, Kacey Godwin of Whitman and Iris Kawada of George Fox, were tied for fifth at 81. Whitman golfers Ally Collier and Hannah Roh, along with GFU's Kayle Hunn, shared seventh place at 82.

George Fox topped the team standings at 318. Whitman was second at 321. Lewis & Clark, Whitworth University and Pacific Lutheran University were tied for third place at 347. Pacific University was sixth with a score of 378 and University of Puget Sound was seventh with a score of 382. Linfield College and Willamette did not enter complete teams.

Big Moment of the Day for Willamette

Katerin Vasquez shot a 100 in the first round of the NWC Tournament.
It was her second lowest round of the year, nearly matching the 99
she earned in the first round of the University of Redlands' Bulldog
Classic on March 25.