(LEBANON, Ill. – Nov. 8) – McKendree University women's wrestling's Felicity Taylor (Spillville, IA/South Winneshiek High School) made her first world team competition appearance in Budapest, Hungary, at the Senior U23 World Championships, Oct. 28 through Nov. 3. Taylor placed ninth in the 53 kg class.

"It was a really good experience for my first world team competition," said Taylor "I had amazing coaches and teammates with me."

Earlier this year, Taylor paved her way through the U23 World Team Trials in Irving, TX, outscoring her opponents 23-5. Her undefeated 4-0 record (53 kg) qualified her onto her first world team.

Here are Taylor's results:
Qualifier round – Taylor defeated Viktoria Vilhelm of Hungary in a 4-3 decision.

¼ Final round – Taylor was defeated by fall to Haruna Okuno of Japan (Fall 5:35).

Repêchage round – Taylor was defeated by Katerina Pichkovskaya of Belarus in a 6-0 decision.

According to Taylor, she focused more on herself, on what she could do, and her offensive strategies, and less on her opponents. "I need to find more ways to get to my offense," said Taylor. "I just need to get more step-ups and be more confident in those shots."

Taylor is now entering her sophomore season with the Bearcats. Last season (2018-19), Taylor opened her collegiate career with a first-place finish in the Lady Warrior Open. She followed with a fifth-place finish in the Simon Fraser University International Open. She returned to the leader board with a first-place finish at the 2018 Missouri Valley Open. Her win at the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals helped contribute to McKendree's first championship title in program history. She went on the place fifth in the Bearcat Open. Finally, at the WCWA National Championship, Taylor finished second in the 52 kg class.

In the 2019 Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) Top-25 Poll, Taylor was ranked No.1 in the 116-lb (52 kg) weight class.

"There is not just one thing that sticks out that I'm excited for this season, because I'm excited for the whole year!"