Women’s Wrestling Places Five at ESU Open
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. (November 6, 2022) – The Western New England women's wrestling team traveled to their first ever open in program history, competing in the East Stroudsburg Open on Sunday afternoon. Western New England placed five wrestlers in the top six of their respective weight classes.
How it Happened:
After falling in her open round match in the 101 lb. weight class, first year Emma Heslin came all the way back in the consolation bracket to take fifth place in the event. Heslin took down Krsity Travis by victory of technical superiority by a score of 10-0 in bout 112, the final eight match. With the win, Heslin would move into the fifth-place match where her victory by fall, 13-8 over Elmira College's Skylynn Tommlinson would secure the 5thplace spot for Heslin and the Golden Bears.
Victoria Orender would drop a quarterfinal match to Naomi Henry of New Jersey City University, though would make a huge comeback in the consolation match round of four, defeating Gianna Amendola of East Stroudsburg University by a final score of 6-5 to move into the fifth-place bout match. Orender would come up short in the match, though would secure sixth place in the Open for Western New England.
The Golden Bears saw Kendall Branchaud, who won the first ever match in Western New England women's wrestling history just four days ago, collect a 10-0 victory by fall of Aliza Leander of Sacred Heart University to move into the semi-final match. Branchaud would finish the afternoon in the third-place match, finishing in fourth place in the 136 lb. weight class.
Dakota-Marie Dinielli finished in the best position for the Golden Bears on the afternoon, wrapping up third place in the 143 lb. weight class. Dinielli defeated Leslie Monterrosa of Elmira College to take the quarterfinal match by a final score of 18-8. Dinielli would wrestle through the consolation bracket and would win the third-place match over Michaela Rankin of Brock University by a 5-0 victory by fall to take third in the event.
Ella Nichols placed fifth in the 155 lb. weight class, winning five straight matches in order to pick up that victory. Nichols would defeat Zoe Gress of East Stroudsburg University 8-4 via VPO. Nichols knocked off Angelina Caban of Elmira College, Sidney Ramos of Tiffin University, and Vanessa Keefe of Brock University via pinfall to take fifth place in the event.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- WNE heads to Ursinus College on Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 pm for a dual match.
