McKendree’s Cameron Guerin overcomes the odds, returns to chase fifth national title at historic NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships

Since the US Olympic Trials in April of 2024, a ‘quick’ knee surgery, an ankle reconstruction and a heart condition are just a few of the obstacles Guerin recounts while looking back on her journey.

During that time, she even made peace with the possibility that her competitive career might have come to an end.

“I was OK with either coming back or not,” says Guerin.

“I was just going to put it in God’s hands and have faith. After that surgery I got the green light, and I know my destiny is to wrestle and do what I love.”

It wasn’t until last June that she was fully cleared to return – and another six months before her first competitive match at the 2026 NWCA National Duals.

All told, the Yakima, Washington, native went more than 20 months between getting her hand raised on a wrestling mat – something she’d grown so accustomed to experiencing at every step of her career prior.

“(I was) definitely nervous,” says Guerin of her January return. “I wrestled all the time before that in the room, but obviously when you get in competition it’s different.”

Her prevailing thought following those first matches back?

“I was just excited to keep getting better.”

Wrestling has always presented an interesting dichotomy as both an incredibly individual, yet team-oriented sport.

And when deciding to make her return, both factors came into play for Guerin.

With this being the first year of an officially sanctioned NCAA championship, she could etch her name in the record books as not only a five-time national champion, but as one of just 10 wrestlers who’ll ever be able to call themselves the first NCAA champions in women’s wrestling history.

“We talked about NCAA stuff. We talked about doing it for me and having that last (COVID) eligibility year available,” says Guerin.

“We talked about it and we said let’s run with it. And I’m grateful that I did because I would’ve regretted it if I didn’t come here to compete today.”

Guerin is also one of just three Bearcats on this year’s roster who were a part of the program during its run of three-consecutive NCWWC team titles from 2020-22.

Now, she’s looking to bridge the gap as part of new McKendree team that has title aspirations of its own – and is in fact favored on paper to win the 2026 team title ahead of #2 Iowa and #3 North Central.

“It’s been amazing to be a part of a team. We work every single day extremely hard together – so the team aspect, it’s going to be a beautiful thing no matter what the results are,” says Guerin.

“This whole week it’s been kind of crazy the amount of calmness we’ve had. We’ve done so much and prepared so much the last two months that I don’t know why we’d be nervous. We’ve done everything possible team-wise and individual-wise – so I’m just really excited for all of us.”

With the moment of truth now upon her – and 179 other women who’ll take the mat at Xtream Arena over the next two days – there’s only one thing left to do:

“I just soak in the moment…looking around, seeing my family and people cheering and screaming…I take in the moment and I run with it,” says Guerin (the top seed at 131 pounds) of her tried-and-true championship approach.

“And now I’m physically and mentally as healthy as ever – so I’m looking forward to it, and I can’t wait to put on a show.”

“This year has definitely been a year I’ve been able to be appreciative…I went through adversity – everybody does – and I truly went through some hard times last year. And to be on the NCAA stage this year at my frickin’ best – I’m extremely grateful, I’m blessed and I’m just excited to do it with my team one more time.”