Jan. 29, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern hosts its final event of the 2008-09 season as the Wildcats welcome 11 schools to Evanston to compete in the NU Duals Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Sports and Aquatic Center (SPAC). The sixth-ranked `Cats host top-ranked Penn State, second-ranked Notre Dame, third-ranked Ohio State and eighth-ranked Temple, along with Cleveland State, Detroit-Mercy, Fairleigh Dickinson, Johns Hopkins, Lawrence, North Carolina and Wayne State in the duals as both men's and women's teams will be in action. Competition begins at 8 a.m. each day with each round scheduled to last 45 minutes to an hour.

Saturday's competition is the Chipotle BIG Match, which means the first 50 NU students into the match will receive a free burrito coupon from Chipotle. Plus, one NU student will have the chance to win a quarter's supply of Chipotle burrito coupons!

Along with some of the top collegiate fencing talent on display this weekend, spectators will also get a chance to meet some Olympians from the Beijing Games. Hannah Thompson, a silver medalist on the women's foil team, will serve as a referee while Doris Wilmette, an alternate on the same foil team, will compete for Penn State. Douglas Findlay, a U.S. official at the Olympics, will also serve as a referee this weekend.

Also on Saturday the No.1-ranked Northwestern Wildcat women's tennis team begins its spring dual season in earnest when it hosts the Indoor Team Qualifying event at the Combe Tennis Center. NU takes on New Mexico in the opening round and with a win would advance to play on Feb. 1 against the winner of the Tulsa-Washington State match.

Fans can have the chance to participate in a serving contest to win an IPod. Plus free breakfast before the match will be provided by LePeep so arrive early to cheer on the 'Cats.

For more information about Wildcat Promotions, please e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu. To provide feedback about your experience at Wildcat Athletic events, please fill out this online survey (http://nusports.cstv.com/ot/nw-post-game-survey.html). Just for filling out the survey you will receive a coupon good for 15% off Prairie Moon and each month one respondent will be randomly selected to win a personalized Wildcat jersey.