2026 NCAA Regionals (Region VI)
Feb. 21-22 | 11:00 a.m.
St. Charles, Mo. | Hyland Arena
Live Stats
 
On Tap
The Lindenwood women's wrestling team is set to take part in the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Regionals this weekend. The Region VI tournament will be hosted at Hyland Arena on the campus of Lindenwood, with action scheduled to get underway at 11:00 a.m. both days.

Last Time Out
Lindenwood enjoyed a successful outing at the Lindsey Wilson Open on February 7th, with five Lions registering podium finishes, including a pair of gold medal winners. Kate Cooper (110) and Jacinda Espinosa (138) both took first place, while Sienna Caruso (103) and Alana Duggan (160) both secured second-place finishes. Meanwhile, Ally Jelinek posted a third-place finish at 117.

History in the Making
This weekend will be the first ever NCAA sanctioned Regional for women's wrestling. It was announced at the beginning of last year that women's wrestling would be added as the 91st NCAA championship sport, providing another athletics opportunity for female athletes to compete at the NCAA Divisions I, II and III levels. Women's wrestling had previously been part of the NCAA's Emerging Sports for Women program since 2020.

Top Performers

• Jacinda Espinosa (138) is 28-7 this season, leading the team in wins while posting a team second-best 12 falls. She took first place in the Luther Hill Invitational and Lindsey Wilson Open, placed fourth at the Missouri Valley Open, finished sixth at the North Central Invitational, and claimed second place at the MBU Open.
• Three Lions are tied for second on the team with 18 wins, including Kate Cooper (110), Madeline Haynes (145) and Alana Duggan (160).
• Makayla Rivera (180) is third on the team in wins with an overall record of 18-6. She leads the squad with 13 falls and has one first-place finish on the season (MBU Open).

In the Rankings

• The Lions are ranked 21st overall in the most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, which was released on February 12th.
• Jacinda Espinosa is ranked fifth nationally and second regionally at 138 lbs. She is also ranked 6th in the nation by The Open Mat.
• Three other Lions are ranked regionally, including Kate Cooper (4th, 110 lbs.), Laney Duggan (4th, 160 lbs.), and Makayla Rivera (4th, 180).
• The Lions are ranked No. 12 in The Open Mat's Team Dual rankings, and No. 19 in their Team Tournament rankings.

Leaders
Wins – Jacinda Espinosa (28), Alana Duggan/Kate Cooper/Madeline Haynes (18) Makayla Rivera (18)
Falls – Makayla Rivera (13), Jacinda Espinosa (12), Alana Duggan/Ally Jelinek (7)
Tech Falls – Madeline Haynes (12), Kate Cooper/Jacinda Espinosa (7), Alana Duggan (5)

Next Up
The top three wrestlers from each weight class will advance to the 2026 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships scheduled for March 6-7 at the Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.