(LEBANON, Ill. – Jan. 15) – The No.2 McKendree University women's wrestling team will open their 2021 season at the Tornado Duals on Saturday, Jan. 17, in Bristol, Tenn. The King University Quad Duals will feature No.3 Emmanuel College, No.4 King University, and No.7 Colorado Mesa, in the Student Center Complex.

Sam Schmitz's team was recently ranked No.2 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Preseason Poll with 11 individually ranked women, three of them being No.1 in their weight class. Those wrestlers include sophomore Pauline Granados (Rialto, CA/Carter), sophomore Emma Bruntil (Acme, WA/Mount Baker Senior), and junior Sydnee Kimber (Sitka, AK/Mt. Edgecumbe ).

The Bearcats closed out their 2019-20 season undefeated 4-0 and with the inaugural 2020 Cliff Keen National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championship (NWCCW) title. Schmitz was recognized as Coach of the Year, along with 13 women achieving All-American Status, and five individual Champions. No.2 McKendree also won their second-consecutive NWCA Multi-Division National Duals Championship title.

No.3 Emmanuel College closed out their 2019-20 season with and 8-4 record. The Cyclones had five NCAA All-Americans, one National Champion runner-up, and a Manuel Gorrarian Award Winner at the 2020 Cliff Keen NWCCW. They also finished fifth-overall in the tournament.

No.4 King already has their first win under their belt for the 2021 season. They defeated No.6 Tiffin Saturday afternoon, 31-14. King took eight of the 10 weight classes, including three victories by pin.

No.7 Colorado Mesa finished their 2019-20 season with a 7-4 record. The Mavericks took a fourth-place finish at the 2020 Cliff Keen NWCCW and one All-American. In the two previous matchups between McKendree and Colorado Mesa, it was two victories for McKendree. The bearcats won 33-7 at the NWCA National Duals and 31-12 on Feb. 7 in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. The Mavericks will face No.14 Limestone University and Ferrum College on Saturday, Jan. 16.

All three matches for the Bearcats can be streamed via Conference Carolinas SDN. The Official Digital Network of King University. The links can be found on the No.2 McKendree University women's wrestling schedule page.