This year, the Lindenwood women’s wrestling team has hope to take the team far this season.
On Sunday, Nov. 17, the women’s wrestling team hosted the annual Lindenwood Duals tournament at Hyland Arena. The Lions won five of their six duals, ultimately falling short of the McKendree Bearcats. Despite the loss to the Bearcats, the Lions are confident in an improved year from last season.
“I think the biggest highlight of this season has been our freshmen stepping up, and wrestling tough against quality competition and young people having big moments,” head coach Frank Yattoni said. “I think we have a new group of girls on the roster now, so there’s a different culture and different feel to the team. Everybody wants to win, everybody wants to be competitive, it’s a team effort.”
Last year was Yattoni’s first season as head coach of the Lions. According to graduate student Caitlyn Jackson, because of last year’s coaching changes, that season was a learning curve. Last year, the Lions finished their season 10-6. With pre-season training, the opening meet, and fierce practices, the team has been striving to build off from last season and go far.
“I think beating McKendree is something that is very doable, taking our whole team to Nationals I think is also doable. The Regionals will also be here, but I think it’s something that if we don’t do it definitely wouldn’t be a letdown,” Jackson said. “I think all of our girls are capable of making it to Nationals, and then placing at Nationals. So I think we should be in good shape the rest of the year.”
This weekend, Fri Nov. 22- Sat Nov. 23, the Lions will be traveling to Marshall, MO, to take on the Missouri Valley Vikings, who the Lions defeated last Sunday 32-18, in Lindenwood’s opening duel. As of now, Lindenwood is ranked no. 8 in the country. With this year’s additions, strong returning members, and the team being adjusted to Yattoni’s style, the Lions look to be a force to reckon with this year, and many seasons to come.
“I think we’ve definitely grown closer as a team, which has helped us, along with atmospheres like this,” Jackson said. “Just rallying behind each other and supporting each other as we go through, so I think our team has grown really close. It started last year, and it’s kind of just grown as this year’s gone on.”
