Lindenwood's women's wrestling team will return to competition Friday at the Missouri Valley Open in Marshall, giving several ranked Lions an early-season test against a broad field at the Burns Athletic Center.
The two-day event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, with competition continuing at the same time Saturday, Nov. 14. Lindenwood listed the Missouri Valley Open as its next competition after a strong opening weekend at the Luther Hill Invitational on Nov. 1.
A ranked group heads to Marshall
Jacinda Espinosa is the highest-ranked Lindenwood wrestler identified in the team's preseason information. She was ranked fourth nationally at 138 pounds and second in Region VI by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Espinosa also owns the program's best recent result at the Missouri Valley Open, placing fourth at last season's tournament.
Four additional Lindenwood wrestlers appeared in the NWCA's regional preseason rankings. Morgan Leonhardt was listed fifth at 124 pounds, Rebecca Strong fifth at 160, Makayla Rivera fourth at 180 and Malia Martin fifth at 208. The Lions were tied for 21st in the preseason coaches poll, giving the Marshall competition an early measure of how the roster performs against other programs.
| Wrestler | Weight class | Preseason ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Jacinda Espinosa | 138 pounds | Fourth nationally; second in Region VI |
| Morgan Leonhardt | 124 pounds | Fifth in Region VI |
| Rebecca Strong | 160 pounds | Fifth in Region VI |
| Makayla Rivera | 180 pounds | Fourth in Region VI |
| Malia Martin | 208 pounds | Fifth in Region VI |
Strong opening showing
Strong enters the weekend after winning the 160-pound division at the Luther Hill Invitational. She went 4-0 at that tournament, reaching the final with two technical falls and a pin that lasted 1 minute, 52 seconds in the semifinals. She then defeated Fort Hays State's Kiley Dillow by a 12-1 technical fall in the championship match.
Strong was not the only Lindenwood wrestler to reach the podium in the season opener. Sienna Caruso took second at 103 pounds, while Megan Valdez finished third in the same division. The university said 16 Lindenwood wrestlers placed at the invitational, giving the program a sizable group of athletes with competitive results before the trip to Marshall.
The opening event also produced several team statistical leaders. Six athletes were tied with four victories. Rivera recorded the team's most falls with three, while Strong led in technical falls with three. Those numbers offer a limited but useful snapshot of the Lions' early production heading into a tournament where individual results will again shape the team's overall showing.
Last year's results provide a benchmark
Lindenwood's results from the previous Missouri Valley Open include a 23-24 combined record and 13 falls. Rivera led the team at that event with four pins, and Espinosa's fourth-place finish was the Lions' top individual result. This year's roster will have an opportunity to improve on that performance, while the coaching staff can evaluate the ranked wrestlers against the demands of a second event.
- Location: Burns Athletic Center in Marshall
- Competition: Missouri Valley Open
- Start time: 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday
- Live coverage: Results will be available online through Lindenwood's athletics information
The event also matters as part of the Lions' broader early-season schedule. The team has moved from an opening invitational, where multiple wrestlers placed, to a tournament that previously produced a 23-24 team mark for Lindenwood. That progression should give the program another opportunity to compare its depth across weight classes rather than relying on one individual result.
Home competition follows
After the Missouri Valley Open, Lindenwood is scheduled to host the Lindenwood Duals at Hyland Arena the following Sunday. Competition is set to begin at 10 a.m. The home event will give the Lions their next listed opportunity to compete in front of their own supporters after the Marshall tournament.
For now, the immediate focus is the Missouri Valley Open. Espinosa returns to the venue after last season's fourth-place finish, Strong arrives as a tournament champion, and the Lions bring a roster with five preseason-ranked athletes and a nationally recognized team position. The results from Friday and Saturday will provide the next concrete measure of Lindenwood's progress in the 2026-27 season.
