SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 24, 2025 ) – Western New England women's wrestling Head Coach Tyler Keane has been named National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships (NCWWC) Region 1 Coach of the Year, as announced at yesterday's post-event ceremonies.
Keane has guided the Golden Bears over the last two seasons, making a big impact on the women's wrestling program. In the 2024-2025 season, Keane has led WNE women's wrestling to a 17-4 dual-match record, including a 9-1 mark at home. Keane and the Golden Bears defeated 13
th-ranked East Stroudsburg University early in the season, a 26-21 win for WNE. Keane's Golden Bears women's wrestling team also went on to take down 23
rd-ranked New Jersey City University 40-10 on their home mat on January 26, 2025. As a team, the Golden Bears have been ranked as high as 14
th overall in the most recent
The Open Mat team dual rankings while numerous Golden Bears have been regionally ranked throughout the season under the direction of Keane.
A program record seven Golden Bears will compete at the upcoming NCWWC National Championships after qualifying in the top four of their respective weight classes at Sunday's NCWWC Region 1 Championships in Pine Valley, New York. All of
Gianna Hernandez (103 lbs.),
Hailey Laabs (117 lbs.),
Linda Holeman (124 lbs.),
Tanya Teneva (138 lbs.),
Kendall Branchaud (14 5 lbs.),
Atiyana Williams (160 lbs.), and Shalom Feliz Lopez (180 lbs.) have qualified for the national stage, set to begin on Friday, March 7 and continue into Saturday, March 8 at Xtreme Arena in Coralville, Iowa. The seven Golden Bears headed to the NCWWC National Championships are the most in one season in program history under the direction of Keane.
