SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 17, 2025) – Western New England men's basketball senior Luka Vlajkovic and Western New England men's wrestling sophomore Matthew Rodriguez have been named Golden Bear Athletes of the Week, following impressive performances on the court and the mat this week, leading to successful weeks for the Golden Bears. 

Luka Vlajkovic had a big hand in helping the Golden Bears come away with a pair of wins this past week, a seven-point win over Brandeis University on home court and the first win of the season on the road, a five-point victory at Keene State College. Vlajkovic opened the week with a double-double, his first of the season and second career as a Golden Bear, producing 14 points and ten rebounds in a 64-57 win over Brandeis. Vlajkovic shot 6/10 from the floor and added two assists against the Judges, helping the blue and gold avenge a defeat to Brandeis last season and turn that into a win this season. The Melrose, Massachusetts, native went on to play in 37 minutes of the 40-minute contest at Keene State College, picking up 15 points and nine rebounds in the win over the Owls, adding four assists in the win, defeating Keene State for the first time since 2011. Vlajkovic and the Golden Bears remain unbeaten on the season through three games and entertain the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University this coming Wednesday, November 19, at 7:30 PM for the first Conference of New England game of the season. 

Men's Wrestling's Matthew Rodriguez was impressive on the mat in a pair of dual matches this weekend over Springfield College and Bridgewater State University. Rodriguez picked up a pair of wins in the 157 lb. weight class, starting off the weekend with a fall victory in 2:57 over Springfield's Jeremiah Cruz, earning six points to Western New England's total on the night. Rodriguez came up with his second win of the weekend over Bridgewater State's James Calabrese on a 7-3 decision, helping the Golden Bears defeat BSU in the annual Bear Cup. Rodriguez is now 5-2 on the season through three events, earning three fall wins, a technical fall win, and a decision victory. WNE men's wrestling is back on the mat this coming Saturday, November 22, at 10:00 AM at the Doug Parker Invitational, hosted by Springfield College.