SALEM, OR – LC State Men’s Golf, receiving votes in the NAIA poll, finished round one of play at the Willamette Valley Cup in sixth place as part of a field loaded with NCAA Division III opponents.
The Warriors shot 6-over on the day and just four strokes separate first place from sixth place. Host DIII Willamette leads the field at 2-over, and fellow CCC team Bushnell (Ore.) holds a two-stroke lead on LC State in a tie for fourth.
“Interesting round for the men today. They started off strong, couldn’t keep it together, and then finished on a solid note,” coach Zach Anderson said. “We just never capitalized on the strong start. But to not have our best and only be four back of the lead keeps leaving Salem with the trophy still in play. Work to do tomorrow.”
The Warrior men are led individually by sophomore Lucas Ortega who sits tied for 14th. Ortega carded an even-par round of 71 that has him within one stroke of third place.
Three Warriors are tied for 26th place at 2-over in Adam Lovatt, Andrea Artusini and Sondre Andresen. All three shot matching rounds of 73
Luke West rounded out the day for the Warriors at 5-over. Despite the low scores, he sits in 45th in the tight field. No players outside the top 50 shot higher than 6-over.
