The Northern Michigan University women’s wrestling team poses for this team shot before the season opens on Saturday at the Pointer Open in Stevens Point, Wis. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — The women’s wrestling team at Northern Michigan University opens its season on Saturday at the Pointer Open in Wisconsin.

The meet will be hosted by Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, at 10 a.m. EDT.

First-year head coach Adam Wilson leads the nationally ranked Wildcats, who were voted No. 22 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll.

They’re also in the opening year of women’s wrestling in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, a league consisting of several teams from that league and several like NMU from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, including Grand Valley State and Davenport.

NMU was also slotted into fifth in the GLVC preseason poll.

The Wildcats’ Alissa Caltagirone is ranked fifth nationally at 145 pounds, along with second in Region 4.

Other NMU wrestlers with regional rankings include Zhivanna Magdaleno, fifth at 117 pounds; Keaton Hood, third at 138; Sophia Bassino, fourth at 160; and Abbie Miles third at 207.

Northern is coming off a 2024-25 season when it placed third at regionals as it had three wrestlers advance to the national championships. Seven Wildcats earned Scholar All-America honors, while Yu Sakamoto won a regional title and was third in the nation, the best finish in NMU history.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release previewing the season. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.