(LEBANON, Ill. – Jan 8) – The McKendree University men's and women's wrestling programs kick off the new year at the 2020 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championship Jan 10 – 11. The women's team looks to defend their title and the men's team looks to improve on last season's fourth-place finish.

Earlier this month, the men's team was ranked No. 5 in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association second poll of the 2019-20 regular season. The Bearcats have seven national-ranked wrestlers and are led by No.2 Marcus Povlick (Plainfield, IL/Plainfield North) at 125-lbs., No.2 Nick Foster (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) at 165-lbs., and No.2 Ryan Vasbinder (Grand Rapids, MI/Grandville) at 197-lbs.

At the end of the 2019 calendar year, the women's program was ranked No. 1 in the NWCA NCAA first women's team regular-season poll of the 2019-20 season. The Bearcats have 14 nationally-ranked wrestlers and are led by No.1 Felicity Taylor (Spillville, IA/South Winneshiek High School) at 116-lbs., No.1 Emma Bruntil () at 136-lbs., and No.1 Alexandria Glaude (West Sacramento, CA/Christian Brothers High School) at 155-lbs.

ABOUT NO. 5 MEN'S PROGRAM:
The Bearcats sit at a 1-1 record going into the tournament. They are coming off a defending championship title at the 41^st Annual Midwest Classic, hosted by the University of Indianapolis. Povlick, Foster and Vasbinder all captured first-place finishes. In addition, five other top-8 finishes came from Juwan Edmond (Bellwood, IL), Nate Smalling (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West), Caleb Gossett (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell Central), Qian'te Wagner (Alton, Ill./Alton) and Michael Aldrich (Ballwin, MO/Parkway South).

Last season's NWCA Multi-Divisional Nationals Duals appearance was the highest placement in men's program history.

ABOUT NO. 1 WOMNE'S PROGRAM:
The Bearcats sit at a 0-0 record going into the tournament. They have not participated in a dual this season, but placed second overall in the Simon Fraser University Open, placed first overall in the Missouri Valley Open, and placed first overall in the North Central Open. They are coming off an impressive showing at the 2019 Senior Nationals and Trials Qualifier. Emma Bruntil () was crowned National Champion, Alexandria Glaude (West Sacramento, CA/Christian Brothers High School) finished fourth, and both qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. In addition, five other top-8 finished came from Natalie Reyna (Hesperia, CA/Whittier High School), Felicity Taylor (Spillville, IA/South Winneshiek High School), Alara Boyd (Muncie, IN/Yorktown High School), Andrea Sennett (Wheeling, IL/Wheeling High Shcool) and Kori Bullock (Cahokia, IL/Cahokia High School).

Last season's NWCA Multi-Divisional National Duals appearance was the first NWCA championship in women's program history.

The 2020 NWCA Multi-Division National Dual Meet will begin at 9:00 A.M. in the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ken.