(LEBANON, Ill. - Feb. 5) - The No.1 McKendree University women's wrestling team hosts their first home events of the 2019-20 season as they welcome No.4 Colorado Mesa University for a dual on Friday Feb.7 and their annual Bearcat Open on Saturday, Feb.8.

The Bearcats are coming off a consecutive first-place finish at the 2020 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championship. They went 3-0 on the tournament, defeating Presbyterian College (41-6), No.4 Colorado Mesa University (33-7) and Tie-1 Simon Fraser University (18-17). No.2 ranked Pauline Granados (Rialto, CA/Wilmer Amino Carter High School), No.1 ranked Emma Bruntil () and No.2 ranked Sydnee Kimber (Sitka, AK/Mt Edgecombe High School) all went an undefeated 3-0 in their matches.

The No.4 Colorado Mesa University has a 7-3 record going into Friday's dual. They are coming off a fourth-place finish at the York College Open on Jan.18. Just a day prior, they went 4-0 in the York College Duals. They placed fourth overall at the NWCA National Duals, defeating Limestone College (33-8) and No.5 Emmanuel College (34-11), but falling to Tie-1 McKendree University (7-33) and No.3 King University (15-33). They placed sixth in the Missouri Valley Open and had six champions place in the Maverick Open.

Last season's Bearcat Open saw 11 wrestlers place in the top-6 of their weight classes, including a first-place finish by Kimber in the 170-lb class. This time around, the open will host No.4 Colorado Mesa, No.5 Emmanuel, Ferrum College, No.3 King, Lindenwood University, Lyon College, MacMurray College, Missouri Valley College, No.8 North Central College, Ottawa University, Tie-1 Simon Fraser University, Southern Oregon University, Waldorf University and No.7 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. There will also be appearances by unattached wrestlers throughout the tournament.

The dual will begin at 7:00 P.M. on Friday Feb.7 in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center and the Bearcat Open will begin at 9:00 A.M. and run all day on Saturday Feb.8 in the Melvin Price Convention Center.