SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 29, 2026) – The Western New England women's wrestling team earned a pair of top-25 placements in the first NCAA rankings of the season, while multiple organizations have placed student-athletes in the regional and national rankings to begin the season, which opens this Sunday, November 1, at the East Stroudsburg Open.
WNE opens the season ranked No. 23 in the NCAA Team Tournament Rankings and No. 20 in the NCAA Team Dual Meet Rankings. The Golden Bears fought to a 9-6 record overall last season, going a perfect 3-0 in home matches on the year.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has ranked five Golden Bears in the top five of their respective weight classes in the first Region I rankings of the season. WNE's
Gianna Hernandez sits fifth in the 110 lb. weight class, returning for her senior season. Sophomore
Maddie Ripley sits first in the 117 lb. weight class rankings after an impressive first year last season, being one of eight Golden Bears to qualify for the NCAA National Championship.
Jazmene Molina sits second overall in the 124 lb. weight class for the Blue and Gold in her second season at Western New England.
Tanya Teneva also sits second in the regional rankings, set to compete in the 131 lb. weight class for her senior season.
Samantha Rabkin rounds out the five Golden Bears ranked regionally, coming in fifth overall in the 207 lb. weight class.
The NWCA released its national rankings for the opening week of the season, placing a pair of aforementioned Golden Bears on the list.
Maddie Ripley ranks tenth overall nationally in the 117 lb. weight class, while
Jazmene Molina also sits tenth, wrestling in the 124 lb. weight class this upcoming season.
The newest rankings of the season come from the NCAA's
HerMat organization, which placed four Golden Bears in the top 15 overall. Ripley sits eighth,
Linda Kenny clocks in at 14
th overall in the 124 lb. weight class, Molina is ranked ninth overall in the 131 lb. weight class, and Teneva sits 15
th overall for the Blue and Gold in the 138 lb. weight class.
The Golden Bears will look to start the season off strong as they head to the East Stroudsburg Open on Sunday, November 1, beginning at 9:00 AM. WNE's home opener is set for Friday, November 13, at 5:00 PM when New England College visits Springfield.
