As has become almost routine this spring, Alex Fitch has been recognized as the Northwest Conference Men’s Golf Student-Athlete of the Week. The most recent honor was announced Tuesday by the league’s sports information directors.

Fitch won his sixth medal of the year at the Willamette Invitational, leading the Wildcats to a team victory in the final tournament before the NWC Championships. He was the only player to finish under par and posted the lowest rounds on both days to outdistance the field by a whopping 14 strokes.

This season, Fitch is averaging a career-low 72.4 strokes per round while placing in the top five at every tournament, including the NWC Fall Classic, NWC Spring Classic and the prestigious Texas Lutheran Invitational.

The senior has been recognized as the NWC golfer of the week three times this year and is the reigning player of the year. His career average (75.1) currently ranks second-best in the Linfield record books.

As a team, the Wildcats enter this weekend’s NWC Championships with the lead in the conference title race. Linfield finished second at the fall classic and won the spring classic to total 15 points so far, two more than second-place Whitman.

The season-ending tournament, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, is hosted by Whitworth at the Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick, Wash. This event counts 50 percent toward determining the league's team champion and automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship.