McMINNVILLE, Ore.—Three Lewis & Clark College men's golfers shot 73 (+1) or better, to lead the River Otters on Day One of the Wildcat Invitational.
THE BASICS
Men's Golf "B" Team – 6
th out of 8 Teams – 309 (+21)
Women's Golf – No Team Score
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior
Ben Oates turned in the best round of his career and sophomores
Charlie Hageman and
Tanner Moody each joined him in the top-11 after 18 holes. This weekend's tournament is the final tune-up before the Northwest Conference Championship.
Hageman, who's coming off a top-five finish at the NWC Spring Classic, led the team with an even-par 72 on Sunday. He notched three birdies, one bogey, one double bogey and 13 pars to finish in a tie for sixth overall and is two strokes off the lead.
Oates, who joined Hageman and first year
Trae Fredrickson as independents this weekdn, shot a career-low 73 (+1) to place tied for 10
th. Oates led the entire team with five birdies to match his four bogeys and one double bogey. He recorded four of his birdies in a six-hole span on the back-nine. Oates is tied for 11
th overall after Day One.
Fredrickson notched a 76 (+4) to finish in a tie for 24
th overall. The first year was at even par after the front nine thanks to one birdie, one bogey and six-straight pars. He opened and closed the back nine with birdies but would fall to +4 thanks to five bogeys.
B TEAM RECAP
Moody carded a 73 (+1) to lead the "B" Team. This weekend's "B" Team is comprised of the players who didn't compete at the NWC Spring Classic and gives them a chance to make their case for a spot at the NWC Championship.
Moody put together a strong first nine holes. He birdied three of his first five holes and added five pars and one bogey. Moody would tack on one more birdie on the back nine, to finish in a tie for 11
th place at +1 (73).
First year
Brady Gless placed second on the "B" Team. He notched a pair of birdies on the back nine to finish at 76 (+4). Gless matched Fredrickson in a tie for 24
th overall.
Junior
Kenji Pickeral carded a 79 (+7) to finish third on the "B" Team. The junior overcame early struggles, to put together his best golf on the back-nine. He recorded all three of his birdies in a four-hole stretch and went -1 over his final six holes. He wrapped up the day in a tie for 35
th.
First year
Nate Loew ended the day as the fourth and final scorer on the "B" Team. He notched an 81 (+9) to place tied for 46
th on Sunday. Loew posted his lone birdie of the day on the Par 5 ninth hole.
Senior
Millen Mistry finished fifth on the "B" Team and tie for 49
th overall. He turned in an 82 (+10). Mistry opened and closed his front nine with birdies.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Sophomores
Lydia Schwenker and
Natalie Nuñez Lezama represented Lewis & Clark as independents on Sunday.
Schwenker, who will be graduating at the end of this school year, led the River Otters with a 95 (+23). She notched three pars, including opening her day with a four on the Par 4 first hole. The sophomore finished the day in 10
th place.
Nuñez Lezama came in just behind Schwenker in a tie for 11
th overall. The sophomore posted five pars, including three-straight to close out her front nine. She finished her round with a 97 (+25).
BY THE NUMBERS
- Oates' round of 73 (+1) was three strokes better than his previous career-low (2024 Pines Cup First Round). He finished in the 70s for the first time since the Langdon Tri Meet on February 24, 2025 (76, +5).
- Hageman notched his eighth round of par or better this season. The sophomore has accomplished the feat in 14 of his 38 collegiate rounds.
- Schwenker finished Sunday in a tie for third in the field - with a 4.88 average (+7) on Par 4s.
- Oates finished tied for first in the field in birdies (five) and tied for second on Par 5s (4.40, -3).
- Nuñez Lezama finished sixth in the field with her five pars on Sunday.
- Hageman wrapped up the day tied for first on Par 3s (3.00, Even).
WHAT'S NEXT
Lewis & Clark will return to Michelbrook Country Club on Monday for the second and final day of the Wildcat Invitational.
