SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 4, 2026) – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) and New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) have released their own regional rankings to begin the 2026-27 season, with six Golden Bears appearing in the rankings, including five in both organizations' rankings and one in the NEWA rankings to open the season.
In the 133 lb. weight class, Western New England's
Antonio Intintoli sits eighth overall in the first NEWA rankings of the season. Intintoli opened the season this past weekend with three victories, coming over Plymouth State University, Maine Maritime Academy, and Roger Williams University. Intintoli came up with a 17-1 technical fall victory over Plymouth State, a forfeit win over Maine Maritime, and a 14-0 major decision victory over Roger Williams to start the season.
In the 149 lb. weight class,
James Linder sits second in the NEWA and NWCA rankings. Linder had a dominant season last year and picked up three wins at this past weekend's WNE Quads, earning fall victories over Plymouth State, Maine Maritime, and Roger Williams to start the season 3-0. For his efforts, Linder was named a Golden Bear Athlete of the Week.
Matthew Rodriguez sits third overall for Western New England in the 157 lb. weight class. Rodriguez had a successful first weekend for the Golden Bears, coming up with two wins in three matches, picking up a pair of fall victories over Plymouth State and Maine Maritime.
With one season as a Golden Bear under his belt, WNE's
Teghan McConnell sits third overall in the 165 lb. weight class in the first NWCA/NEWA rankings of the season. McConnell was a perfect 3-0 this past weekend at home, earning a pair of technical fall victories, one over Plymouth State and another over Roger Williams University, while the WNE junior picked up a fall victory in just 34 seconds over Maine Maritime to cap off the perfect afternoon to begin the campaign.
WNE senior
Maxwell Bluhm sits fourth overall in the 174 lb. weight class in the first NWCA & NEWA rankings. Bluhm wrestled once this past weekend and opened his 2026-27 campaign with a decision victory over Plymouth State University, 12-7. Bluhm had the second-most victories for the Golden Bears last season, coming away with a 24-8 record overall.
Nicholas Baccala sits sixth overall in the 184 lb. weight class for the Golden Bears in both the NWCA and NEWA rankings. Baccala picked up his first victory of the season this past weekend in a win over Plymouth State, earning a fall win in 2:54. Baccala earned 16 wins for the Golden Bears last season, six coming via decision.
As a team, Western New England ranks fifth overall in the NEWA Wrestling Rankings to open the season out of 17 teams. The Golden Bears return to action this coming Saturday, November 7, at the Alvernia Invitational.
