(NEW YORK CITY, NY – Nov. 18) – The McKendree University women's wrestling team was represented in the annual Bill Farrell Memorial International Open Friday night, by Alexandria Glaude (West Sacramento, CA/Christian Brothers High School) and Emma Bruntil (). They left the Big Apple with two top-four finishes and a qualified spot for the 2020 Olympic Trials.

Alexandria Glaude (West Sacramento, CA/Christian Brothers High School) went into this competition with the same mentality as any other match-up. "If I wrestle hard and believe in myself, good things will happen – and they did," said Glaude.

Glaude placed third with a 6-2 defeat over Skylar Grote of New York Athletic Club in the 68 kg class. That placement qualified her for the 2020 Olympic Trials.

"Qualifying for Olympic Trials is just one step closer to my major goal of becoming an Olympic gold medalist," said Glaude. "I learned so much about myself during this competition that will allow me to get back in the room with thing to work on immediately." The Olympic Trials will be April 4-5, 2020 in State College, PA.

Emma Bruntil () went into the competition as a mental and physical test against heavy competition.

"Coming off of five surgeries last year, I really didn't know where I stacked up against the best girls," said Bruntil. "I've only competes once in the last year and a half."

Bruntil placed fourth with a 4-3 defeat over Mallory Velte of Mercury Wrestling Club in the 62 kg class. Bruntil will have another chance to earn a spot for the Olympic Trials later this year.

"Beating a World 5^th and a World Bronze shows me that I'm doing the right thing and that I'm where I need to be," said Bruntil. "I'm excited for the rest of the season not only to qualify for the Olympic Trials, but to compete and win NCAA titles with my team.

The Bearcats will be at the Senior Olympic Trials Qualifier, US Open Dec. 19 – 21 in Fort Worth, TX.