Three women's wrestlers placed in the top eight at the Bearcat Open, hosted by McKendree University February 8 at the Melvin Price Convocation Center in Lebanon, Illinois.

Angelique Terrones-Cruz provided the top performance at the event, finishing sixth in the 116 lb. weight class.  After an opening round bye, the Lindenwood senior lost a 7-2 decision to Felicity Taylor from McKendree, but Terrones-Cruz rebounded for wins in each of her next three matches.  She defeated Shania Magdaleno from Ottawa by technical fall, stopped Aleena Gomez from Colorado Mesa in an 8-2 decision, and shutout Alyssa Maldando in a 5-0 decision to advance to the consolation semifinals.  She fall to Emily Se from Emmanuel College in that round 4-0, and then lost the fifth place match to Tara Othman from Southern Oregon 8-2.

After dropping her opening round in the 123 lb. division to Alexandra Hedrick from Simon Fraser University by technical fall, Jasmine Ward pinned Gabrielle Grimes from Missouri Valley College at 1:59.  She earned an injury default victory over Niya Teresita Gaines from Emmanuel, but lost to Jasmine  Hernandez from Lyon College by technical fall 14-4 to finish in the seventh/eighth position.

Valerie Gaytan had a similar result in the 191 lb. class.  After getting a bye, she lost to Andreia Langley from Ferrum College by fall at 1:53, but Gaytan pinned Angelina Kirkpatrick from North Central College in the consolation round at 1:59 to advance, but Serena Woldring from Simon Fraser earned a quick pin in the next round to eliminate Gaytan in the seventh/eighth position.

Six other Lady Lions competed at the event, but none was able to earn a win.  Head Coach Mike Mena attributed the results to the strength of the teams.

"This event included the top four women's NCAA wrestling teams, along with several other top squads," he said.  "We now know where we are in comparison to the best in the country."

Women's wrestling has about a month of additional preparation before the Women's National Collegiate Championships March 6-7, hosted by Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan.