WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Freshman Cayson VanBeekum made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut, tying Oregon Tech's single-round school record with a first-round 65, holding the Day 1 lead at the Walla Walla Invitational at Wine Valley Golf Club.
 
The Hustlin' Owls (278-284 – 562) hold the team lead heading into tomorrow's final round, recording their best team score in eight years – a first-round 10-under-par 278 – good enough for a 2-shot lead on Lewis-Clark State (277-287 – 564) and a 3-shot lead on British Columbia (287-278 – 565).
 
VanBeekum was near perfect, becoming the fourth OIT player (and first since 2019) to shoot 7-under-par, adding a 4-under-par afternoon round to end the day with a 36-hole total of 133 (65-68) – tied with LC State's Sondre Andresen (67-66 – 133) for the top spot. The first-year Hustlin' Owl had two eagles, eight birdies and just one bogey on the day.
 
Both freshman Grayson Moore (72-71 – 143) and Jack Tieman (69-74 – 143) head into the final round at 1-under-par – tied for tenth overall.
 
Issey Tanimura (79-71 – 150), Kade Bracken (72-78 – 150) and Silas Guzlas (72-84 – 156) rounded out the OIT competitors.
 
Tuesday's final round is set for a 9 a.m. shotgun start.