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Women's Wrestling 11/29/2021 2:02:00 PM Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Gannon Climbs to Ninth in Latest NWCA Division II Women's Wrestling Coaches Rankings

MANHEIM, Pa. -- The Gannon University women's wrestling team moved up one spot in the latest 2021-22 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division II Women's Wrestling Coaches Rankings. The Golden Knights began the year tenth in the preseason poll. In addition, five Golden Knights appear in the individual preseason rankings.

King, last season's national runner-up, moved into the top spot in the national rankings with 101 points, supplanting defending national champion McKendree (94 points). North Central and Simon Fraser are tied for third with 70 points, while Colorado Mesa completes the top five with 51 points. Gannon received 21 points. The Golden Knights ended the 2020-21 season ranked tenth.

Breonnah Neal is in her first season as Gannon's head coach after previously serving in the same capacity at Ferrum. She has the Golden Knights off to a fast start with strong showings in the ESU Invitational, Adrian Open and Albion Invitational. Gannon finished first at Albion and second at Adrian.

Mikayla Vega (Escalon, Calif./Escalon) is the highest-ranked Golden Knight, with the junior ranked sixth at 109 lbs. She owns a 10-1 record, finishing first at the ESU Invitational and Albion Invitational, and second at the Adrian Open.

Three Gannon grapplers are ranked seventh in their respective weight classes. Kat Pendergrass (South Hill, Va./South Granville(NC)), a transfer from Ferrum and an All-American under Neal, is ranked seventh at 101 lbs. The sophomore has been competing at 109 lbs. in the early portion of the season and has a 5-1 record, winning the Albion Invitational and placing third at the ESU Invitational. She was eight at Nationals at 109 lbs. last season.

Lana Perez (Honolulu, Hawaii/Moanalua) is ranked seventh at 136 lbs. after finishing sixth a year ago to earn All-American honors. She has a 6-1 record with a first place showing at the Albion Invitational and a second place finish at the Adrian Open.

Freshman Anya Knappenberger (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) holds down the seventh spot at 130 lbs. She has a 10-1 record with first place finishes at Adrian and Albion and a second place at ESU. Kendall McGarity (Spring Branch, Texas/Smithson Valley) is the fifth Golden Knight in the rankings at eighth at 191 lbs., although the redshirt junior has yet to take to the mat this season. She finished seventh at 191 lbs. at the 2020 WCWA National Championships to earn All-American status.

Gannon will compete in its first dual of the season on Wednesday, December 1, hosting Elmira. The wrestling gets underway at the Hammermill Center at 7:00 p.m.

NWCA WOMEN'S WRESTLING COACHES PRESEASON POLL
1. King (101 points)
2. McKendree (94)
T3. North Central (70)
T3. Simon Fraser (70)
5. Colorado Mesa (51)
6. Augsburg (35)
7. Presbyterian (29)
8. Emmanuel (28)
9. GANNON (21)
10. Adrian (16)

GANNON WRESTLERS NATIONALLY-RANKED
101 lbs. -- Kat Pendergrass (South Hill, Va./South Granville(NC)) (No. 7)
109 lbs. – Mikayla Vega (Escalon, Calif./Escalon) (No. 6)
130 lbs. – Anya Knappenberger (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) (No. 7)
136 lbs. – Lana Perez (Honolulu, Hawaii/Moanalua) (No. 7)
191 lbs. – Kendall McGarity (Spring Branch, Texas/Smithson Valley) (No. 8)

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Players Mentioned

Kendall McGarity: 5' 6"; Redshirt Freshman; 191

Mikayla Vega: 4' 11"; Freshman; 109

Lana Perez: 130; Sophomore; 130

Kat Pendergrass: 101/109; Sophomore

Anya Knappenberger: 123; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kendall McGarity
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Freshman; 191

Mikayla Vega
: 4' 11"; Freshman; 109

Lana Perez
: Sophomore; 130
: 130

Kat Pendergrass
: Sophomore
: 101/109

Anya Knappenberger
: Freshman
: 123