Golden Bears Women’s Wrestling Competes in Inaugural Match
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 3, 2022) – The Western New England women's wrestling team opened their 2022-2023 season on Thursday evening, welcoming the Warriors of East Stroudsburg University in what was the first ever match for Western New England. Kendall Branchaud won the first ever match in Golden Bears history, while the team fell 31-12 in the match.
How it Happened:
Western New England opened with a tough bout to begin their campaign in the 101 lb. weight class as Emma Heslin would work two rounds with ESU's Haley Delia, though would fall short in a 22-16 decision. After a double forfeit in the 109 lb. weight class, Alanna Coker would make her debut on the mat, though would come up short in a pinfall decision to Waverly KaneLong.
East Stroudsburg would win the first five matches of the contest after Victoria Orender (123 lb. weight class), Sabrina Sedor (130 lb. weight class), and Samantha Groncki (136 lb. weight class) were all defeated via pinfall in their respective matches.
Western New England women's wrestling picked up their first ever victory in program history in the 143 lb. weight class when Kendall Branchaud took down Grace Kaczanowski via pinfall to become the first ever member of Western New England women's wrestling to record a victory in a collegiate match.
WNE would battle in the 155 lb. weight class, as Dakota-Marie Dinielli would go the distance in the match with ESU's Zoe Gress, though the decision would lie on Gress's side, 11-8. Ella Nichols would win the 170 lb. weight class via injury forfeit, winning Western New England's second match of the evening. WNE's Lillyann McDorman closed out the evening in the 191 lb. weight class for the Golden Bears, dropping a pinfall decision. Western New England would drop a 31-12 match with the Warriors.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England will visit East Stroudsburg University for the ESU Open on Sunday, November 6 at 10:00 AM.
