Here is what we know about the McKendree women’s freestyle team.

No team has been better during the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships era (NCAA programs only). McKendree won the first three NCWWC titles (2020-22) and placed third and fourth respectively the next two years. 

This year’s team is full of potential. Third-year coach Alexio Garcia worked the transfer portal again, convincing some of the nation’s best to attend the Lebanon, Illinois-based college. He also landed a monster recruiting class with several top high school stars.

McKendree's Winning Tradition

Here is what we don’t know about the McKendree women’s freestyle team.

Will four-time NCWWC champ Cam Guerin return for her final season of eligibility in an attempt to win a historic fifth national championship?

Will two-time national champion and 2023 Senior World teamer Emma Bruntil announce another late-season return?

When will NAIA champion Kaylynn Albrecht — a transfer from Baker who lives and trains in Colorado Springs — enter the line-up?

When will two-time NAIA All-American Alexis Gomez — a transfer from Grand View — enter the line-up?

Is two-time All-American Tristan Kelly of the Army's World Class Athlete Program returning to the team?

Who will start at 207 pounds?

There are more questions than answers — especially since McKendree’s roster hasn’t been updated on its homepage since last season. 

We can make guesses, though. There’s plenty of talent as the season kicks off. A team can send a maximum of 15 wrestlers to the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships, so multiple wrestlers at a weight can compete. 

McKendree's Individual NCWWC champions

McKendree's 2024-25 Options

103: Incoming freshman Gabby Tesesco was in the top three nationally at 105 pounds. She should be the front-runner. Lizette Rodriguez finished third at nationals four times. Will she use her COVID year?

110: Samantha Miller is a four-time All-American who placed third at 2024 nationals for Mount Olive after three All-American finishes for Presbyterian. She is one of Garcia's biggest gets from the transfer portal. 

117: Norah Swaim of Rhode Island was ranked in the top 20 nationally at 120 pounds. 

124: Sophomore Shelby Moore finished fourth at the 2024 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. She finished fifth at the 2022 U17 World Championships. 

131: Will four-time NCWWC champion Cam Guerin return for a fifth season? She’s the frontrunner if she does. Sophomore Alex Szkotnicki missed the college post-season but competed at 59 kg (130 pounds) during the recent Senior World Team Trials. She’s a quality option.

138: Viktorya Torres, Haylie Jaffe and Estella Gutches could be options here. Jaffe was among the best pound-for-pound high school wrestlers in the country. Gutches started last season and went 2-2 at nationals. Torres is a three-time All-American, finishing fifth and seventh for King, and third for McKendree.

145: Does Emma Bruntil make a surprise return again? Alexis Gomez finished third and second at the NAIA Championships. 

160: Lots of high-caliber options here, led by national champion Kaylynn Albrecht. Eduarda Rodrigues (nickname Duda) hasn’t wrestled long but burst onto the scene by winning two Fargo titles after a third-place finish as a sophomore. She quickly developed into one of the country’s best high school wrestlers and could be a force in college. Sophomore Destiny Rodriguez was the #3 pound-for-pound recruit out of high school. Lillian Freitas was a 2021 Cadet World bronze medalist. 

Does someone at 160 move up to 180?

180: This is Tristan Kelly’s spot if she wants it. Actually, Kelly could take any spot from 160 to 207 if she wants it. She’s placed third twice at nationals and is among college wrestling’s best, winning the U23 National Championships. All-American Lydia Krauss transferred from Northern Michigan to McKendree. 

207: Manusiu Muti? Alisha Narvaez? Mia Trujillo? Someone else? Does Krauss move up?

There are more questions than answers. This could be a second-semester team with the best wrestlers emerging when it matters most.