The Lions wrestling team will open the 2009-10 season this Friday by hosting the 15th annual Lindenwood Open. The competition will begin at 9 a.m. at the Hyland Performance Arena and continue straight through the finals.

Over 250 entries are expected for this year's tournament, including approximately 60 NCAA Division I wrestlers from the University of Missouri, the University of Illinois, and the University of Oklahoma.

Lindenwood opens the year ranked sixth in the NAIA despite winning three straight national championships. The Lions lost four individual national champions but will attempt to win a fourth consecutive crown with three returning All-Americans and a good class of newcomers.