National Champs Cam Guerin and Caitlyn Thorne Return To Competition

Cam Guerin of McKendree and Caitlyn Thorne of Lindenwood were dominant during their first dual competitions of the season.

Dec 2, 2023 by Kyle Klingman

National Champs Cam Guerin and Caitlyn Thorne Return To Competition

Two college national champions returned to competition and both picked up where they left off. McKendree’s Cam Guerin and Lindenwood’s Caitlyn Thorne competed in the Jewell Duals on Saturday, December 2 and both had dominant performances.

Cam Guerin, a three-time NCWWC (NCAA) champion at 130 pounds from 2020-22, earned falls over Lindenwood’s Cayden Condit and Missouri Baptist’s Riley White. Guerin is part of a powerful McKendree squad that will contend for the 2024 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids.

"I was super excited to get some wins this weekend," Guerin said. "I did my job, dominated, and the work continues."

Thorne won an NAIA Championship at 116 pounds for Central Methodist last season before transferring to NCAA Division I Lindenwood. Thorne won three matches, including a fall over McKendree’s Shayla Shotwell and a 10-0 tech over Andrea Karagiannis of Missouri Baptist.

She did not compete at the Trailblazer Duals on November 12 which included all four D1 women’s wrestling programs after finishing second at the Luther Hill Women's Open.

“It felt great just to be back competing again — especially for Lindenwood,” Thorne said. “I love getting to compete with these girls on the team and it has been an amazing experience.”