Orender Takes Third, Branchaud Second at Will Abele Open
COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. (January 15, 2023) – The Western New England women's wrestling team picked up two place winners at the Will Abele Open on Sunday afternoon as Victoria Orender placed third in the 116 lb. weight class while Kendall Branchaud took second in the 136 lb. weight class. Overall, Western New England placed 5th of 17 teams in the event.
How it Happened:
In the 116 lb. weight class, Victoria Orender would win her first match of the afternoon via default before falling via fall 6-0 in 2:03 to move into the consolation bracket. There, Orender would steam through the bracket, defeating teammate Olivia Amaral 10-0, via technical superiority to move into the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket. Orender would take the match over East Stroudsburg's Natalie Dunn to move into the third-place match of the 116 lb. weight class. Orender would square off with Waverly Kanelong, who had defeated Orender in the second match of the championship bracket. The Byfield, Massachusetts native sought revenge, grabbing a 4-2 victory via fall to take third place in the weight class bracket.
Kendall Branchaud took second place in the 136 lb. weight class. Branchaud took down East Stroudsburg's Rachel DeGiilio before dropping a close match to eventual champion Gabby Bradigan, 7-6, to secure second place in the open.
Sabrina Sedor, Greta Hobbs, and Lillyann McDorman also competed for the Golden Bears in the open, helping the Golden Bears secure fifth place of 17 teams in the open, hosted by Ursinus College.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England heads to Elmira College on Sunday, January 22 for a 3:00 pm dual.
