PORTLAND, Ore. – A 7-over-par 79 by Hannah Christianson highlighted the first day of action for the Linfield Wildcats at the nine-team Northwest Conference Fall Classic staged Saturday at Heron Lakes Golf Club.

The NWC Fall Classic, one of three “major” tournaments for the Northwest small colleges, counts one-fourth toward determining the 2011-12 conference titlist.

Christianson, a sophomore, sits in fourth place, five strokes back of leader Megan McGrew of George Fox. McGrew’s tournament-leading 74 was one stroke better than Tate Head of Whitman and four strokes in front of fellow Bruin Kelsey Morrison.

For Christianson, it was her second sub-80 round of the fall season. Her previous best was a 77 recorded at last week’s Culturame Classic.

Individually the Wildcats, Brinn Hovde (Sr., Bellingham, Wash.) carded an 11-over-83 to share 11th place. Teammates Danielle Lungren and Lydia Smith sit tied for 21st at 89 while Alexandria Smith (Jr., Bellingham, Wash.) is three behind at 92.

As a team, the Wildcats shot 340 to occupy third place after 18 holes. At 313, George Fox owns a seven-stroke bulge over Whitman’s 320. Willamette is fourth, two strokes back of Linfield at 342. Whitworth (344), Pacific Lutheran (357), Pacific (403) and Puget Sound (448) all trail the frontrunners. Lewis & Clark did not field a complete team and was rendered no score.