The Cougars had an impressive comeback from last week as they were able to place fifth in the Oregon State Invitational. Sophomore Jaden Cantafio lead the Cougars as he shot 1-over 214. 

The fifth-place finish for the Cougars was the highest for the team since finishing second at The Joust in Riverside, California, in February of the 2020 season.

“I feel we got back on track this week after a disappointing event last time out at Notre Dame,” WSU head coach Dustin White said. “To come back and play like this on a short turnaround was encouraging.” 

The tournament featured a 14-team field with Oregon State, Washington, Utah, Boise State, Santa Clara, Cal Poly, Pacific, Grand Canyon, Cal Baptist, Seattle, Idaho, Sacramento State and Dixie State that competed against the Cougars. 

The Cougars started off strong and never went back as Cantafio led the Cougars. In the first round, he shot a 2-under-par 69, earning four birdies through the first 18 holes. 

At the end of the tournament, Cantafio earned the first top-15 finish of his career as he finished tied for 13th after the three rounds of play. Redshirt senior Max Sekulic had the best third round for the Cougars as he finished the 18 holes at 2-under-par, 69. In the final nine holes, he earned himself two bogies. 

Junior Pono Yanagi wrapped up his tournament 5-over-par (218), shooting nine birdies in his first two rounds in a tie for 24th. Sophomore Preston Bebich finished the tournament at a 3-over-par 74 and was in a tie for 33rd. Redshirt sophomore Tianyu Wu wrapped up the day with a score of 228 (+15), earning a tie for 60th. 

The only individual playing for the Cougars, Peter Jung, wrapped up his day with a 3-over 74 earning 36th place. Head coach Dustin White feels that the team is getting back on track.

“We held a lead early in the tournament, which was exciting, but we need to continue to get better, get smarter and get tougher,” White said. “All-in-all, it was another positive step in the right direction.”

The Cougars will be participating at the Visit Stockton Invitational on Oct. 21-23 in Stockon, California.