BELLINGHAM, Washington—The Chico State men's golf team finished its first day of fall 2022 competition in the middle of the pack at the Western Washington University Invitational at Bellingham Golf and Country Club. The Wildcats are tied for eighth in the 17-team field at 9-over par following rounds of 292 and 293 on the par-72, 6,610-yard layout.
 
Dakota Ochoa leads Chico State's individuals and is tied for 12^th overall at even par following rounds of 71 and 73. Mark Noonan (73-72) is tied for 19^th at 1-over par. Making his Wildcats debut, Naoki Easterday shot 73-74 and is tied for 30^thin the 91-player field at 3-over par. Tyler Ashman shot 78-74 and is tied for 5^th at 8-over par, while Travis Miller (75-80) is tied for 68^th at 11-over.
 
While a top-three finish is likely out of reach—Western Washington is 15-under par, Holy Names 14-under par, and Cal State Dominguez Hills 7-under—the Wildcats certainly have an opportunity to move up the leaderboard. Just six shots separate the next six teams. Simon Fraser is in fourth place at 3-over par, followed by Victoria (+4), Hawaii-Hilo (+6), Cal State East Bay (+8), and Chico State and Fraser Valley (both +9). Montana State-Billings is 10 shots back in 11^thplace at +19.
 
The Wildcats will tee off in Tuesday's final round shotgun start at 9 a.m. They are paired with Cal State East Bay and the University of Fraser Valley. Fans can follow the action HERE VIA GOLFSTAT.