SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 24, 2026) – The Western New England men's wrestling team sees seven of its own place in the top eight of the final National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) and New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) regional rankings heading into this coming weekend's NCAA Regional Tournament.
In the 131 lb. weight class, WNE's
Antonio Intintoli sits fourth overall in the region. The sophomore has 20 victories on the mat, which ranks third-most on the team, five of which have come via fall, five major decisions, five decisions, and adding three technical fall wins. Intintoli has won his last two matches and is 10-1 on the mat since the turn of the new year.
At 141 lbs.,
Austin Monteiro has picked up a 9-5 record in limited action this season and ranks seventh heading into this week's marquee event. Monteiro earned a major decision victory, 9-1, in his last match over WPI and picked up his second fall result at the USM Quads to begin the month. The Western New England senior has four victories via decision this year.
In the 149 lb. weight class,
James Linder sits eighth regionally and is riding a four-match win streak, all coming in dual action. Three of Linder's last four wins have come by decision, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-1 victories. Linder leads WNE with ten decision wins on the season and is 18-10 on the mat overall.
The Golden Bears see
Matthew Rodriguez rank sixth in the 157 lb. weight class in the final regional rankings of the year. Rodriguez has also won his last four matches for the Golden Bears, a 10-5 decision over Trinity, a 12-2 major decision over the University of Southern Maine, a forfeit win over Plymouth State, and a sudden victory over WPI. Rodriguez has totaled 19 wins this season for WNE, seven decisions, five falls, three major decisions, and two technical falls.
Teghan McConnell ranks sixth overall in the 165 lb. weight class in his first season with Western New England. McConnell has suffered defeat in four matches this season, going 13-4 on the mat. Six of McConnell's last seven matches have been victories.
Maxwell Bluhm ranks seventh for WNE in the 174 lb. weight class. Bluhm ranks second with 21 victories for the Golden Bears, going 21-6 on the mat overall this season. The junior has 12 wins in his last 13 matches, with his lone loss coming on a 7-5 decision. Bluhm has been dominant on the mat, winning five matches via fall, five major decisions, five decisions, and four technical falls.
Charles Maloy has 16 wins on the year for Western New England and sits eighth in the most recent NWCA/NEWA rankings. Maloy has ripped off six consecutive wins for the Golden Bears, two by decision, two by fall, one by technical fall, and another decision in his most recent victory over WPI. In total, Maloy has tallied six falls, tied for second-most on the team, five decisions, two technical falls, and two major decisions in 2025-26.
The Golden Bears head into this weekend's regional tournament ranking sitting seventh in the NEWA Conference Team Tournament Ranking. This week's regional tournament takes place on Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, at the Coast Guard Academy inside the Dr. Hallie Gregory Fieldhouse.
