(FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 9)- The No. 8 McKendree University women's wrestling team won both of its matches on Saturday to finish in fifth place at NWCA National Duals.

The Bearcats improve to 14-6 overall and will return to action on Jan. 17 in Ottawa, Kan., at the EZ Flex Mats Open hosted by Ottawa University.

McKendree won five-straight matches in the heart of its lineup against No. 15 Missouri Valley College in the consolation semifinals to build a 29-8 lead and held on to advance to the fifth place match. The Bearcats earned bonus points in five competition matches, including pinfall wins by junior Tayler Resuriz (League City, Texas, Clear Falls) and senior Hailee Lilly (Sanford, N.C., Lee County) in a combined 36-seconds.

In the fifth place match, McKendree led No. 6 Lindenwood University, 16-5, at the midway point, and held on down the stretch to earn a 24-21 win. Junior Arielle Hernandez (Cicero, Ill.) and sophomore Megan Black (Batavia, Iowa, Eddyville-Balcksburg-Fremont) earned back-to-back decision wins at 116 and 123 pounds, respectively, to take a 12-5 lead, and junior Gabby Weyhrich (Fremont, Neb., Fremont) followed with a tech fall to take the commanding 16-5 lead. The Lions cut the deficit to 16-10, but tech fall wins by Weyhrich, junior Olivia Seppinni (Rocklin, Calif., Rocklin), and sophomore Alexis Porter (Ballston Lake, N.Y., Shenendehowa High School) clinched the dual for the Bearcats.


Match-By-Match Results
No. 8 McKendree University - 29
No. 15 Missouri Valley College - 18

101- Christina Bautista (MVC) def. Kayla Walker (McK), TF 10-0 | 0-4
109- Tayler Resuriz (McK) pinned Catherine Coleman (MVC), Fall 0:10 | 5-4
116- Christy Powell (MVC) def. Alyssa Gonzalez (McK), Dec. 8-6 | 6-7
123- Hailee Lilly (McK) pinned Anna Poyner (MVC), Fall 0:26 | 11-7
130- Gabby Weyhrich (McK) def. Samantha Higa (MVC), TF 14-4 | 15-8
136- Cassy Herkelman (McK) pinned Bethany Davis (MVC), Fall 2:15 | 20-8
143- Jasmine Bailey (McK) by forfeit | 25-8
155- Alexis Porter (McK) def. Carla Garcia (MVC), TF 10-0 | 29-8
170- Alyssa Cantu (MVC) pinned Alexandria Glaude (McK), Fall 2:31 | 29-13
191- Anissa Abrego (MVC) by forfeit | 29-18

Match-By-Match Results
No. 8 McKendree University - 24
No. 6 Lindenwood University - 21

101- Kayla Walker (McK) by forfeit | 5-0
109- Tori Degginger (LU) def. Arielle Hernandez (McK), Dec. 10-1 | 6-3
116- Arielle Hernandez (McK) def. Andrey Diaz (LU), Dec. 6-3 | 9-4
123- Megan Black (McK) def. Savanna Nobile (LU), Dec. 15-10 | 12-5
130- Gabby Weyhrich (McK) def. Axa Molina (LU), TF 12-0 | 16-5
136- Monica Ramirez (LU) pinned Cassy Herkelman (McK), Fall 5:53 | 16-10
143- Olivia Seppinni (McK) def. Anna McAleavey (LU), TF 12-2 | 20-11
155- Alexis Porter (McK) def. Lisa Gonzalez (LU), TF 11-0 | 24-11
170- Victoria Francis (LU) pinned Alexandria Glaude (McK), Fall, 3:45 | 24-16
191- Gabriela Guzman (LU) by forfeit | 24-21