SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 23, 2026) – Western New England men's wrestling first-year Nicholas Adams has been awarded the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Rookie of the Week, the first Golden Bear of the season to earn recognition from the organization. Adams put together an impressive run at last weekend's Will Abele Invitational to earn this week's honors. 

Adams was dominant on the mat last weekend for the Golden Bears in the 141lb. weight class, producing four victories, making it to the championship match before suffering a default loss. To open the afternoon, Adams picked up a fall victory in 2:36, earning the win over Logan Banks of Utica College. Adams continued to challenge his opponents, taking a victory in the Round of 16 match on a 5-0 decision over Andrew Minko of Ursinus College, getting into the quarterfinal match. There, Adams fought his way past Zack Tinys of Nassau Community College (NCC), earning an escape point in the final seconds of the match to claim a 4-3 victory, advancing to the semifinals. In a battle to get to the championship match, Adams earned six points in the opening period while John Fox of NCC picked up a takedown, seeing Adams lead 6-3 after one period. Fox gained four straight points to take the lead in the second period, finishing period two with a 10-8 lead. Adams came alive in the third and final period, earning a takedown and riding out the victory to advance to the championship bout. Adams took second place in the weight class overall after an injury default in the championship bout.

On the season, Adams has recorded ten wins in his 13 matches, seven of which have come via decision, a major decision, and a fall. Adams and the Western New England men's wrestling team have added a dual match this coming Saturday, January 24, at 4:30 PM inside the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center as they welcome Wesleyan University for a dual. Sunday's NEWA Duals event has been canceled with no makeup date due to impending winter storms. Saturday's match can be viewed live by clicking here.