NEW LONDON, Conn. (February 28, 2026) – The Western New England men's wrestling team sees six of its own, a new program record, still alive after the opening day of the NCAA Region I Regional Championships, vying for third-place tomorrow on the final day of the event. James Linder, Matthew Rodriguez, Teghan McConnell, Maxwell Bluhm, Nicholas Baccala, and Charles Maloy are all still alive in their respective weight classes. 

How it Happened:

At 149 lbs., Western New England's James Linder opened with a BYE, then went on to defeat the ninth-seeded Kamel Dib of Bridgewater State University on a major decision, 11-2. Linder led the whole way in his opening match to advance in the weight class. Linder was then defeated by Coast Guard's Nate Fitt on a technical fall, dropping a 17-2 match. Linder moved to the consolation bracket, where he was able to defeat Andrew Pratt of Trinity College to stay alive in the regional round. Linder takes on Matt Castillo of Roger Williams University tomorrow, looking to stay alive. 

At 157 lbs., Western New England's Matthew Rodriguez opened as the 5^th-seed and took out Bridgewater State's Avery Carl in a close match, a 15-11 decision for Rodriguez, advancing on. Rodriguez was then clipped back by Roger Williams' Jack Forte on a 5-3 decision, nearly picking up a victory before a late takedown from the Hawks wrestler, forcing Rodriguez into the consolation bracket. Rodriguez earned a major decision win, 11-2 in the consolation round of four over Emmanuel's Ethan Martel, and will take on eighth-seeded Ryan Kozdra of Springfield College tomorrow in the opening match.

The 165 lb. weight class saw Teghan McConnell open with a fall in just 54 seconds to advance to the next round. McConnell then fell to third-seeded Jashon Holmes on a 7-6 decision. McConnell was up 5-3 in the match, but a late takedown from Holmes earned him the victory, sending McConnell to the consolation bracket. In his final match of the day, McConnell defeated Scott Lallas of Rhode island College by a final score of 13-2, earning the major decision win. McConnell will take on Emmanuel's Justin Hood in the opening match tomorrow. 

Maxwell Bluhm earned a fall victory in his opening match of the bracket at 174 lbs., leading 10-1 in the match before earning the pin over Southern Maine's Troy Moscastelli, continuing in the championship bracket. Bluhm was then pinned in 4:50 in the second match of the day, falling to Gage Wiggins of Williams College, sending Bluhm to the consolation bracket. Bluhm's final match of the day was a 13-4 major decision victory over Roger Williams' Gordon Murray. Bluhm will battle Joseph Baker of Castleton University tomorrow in his opening match. 

Nicholas Baccala at 184 lbs. fell in his opening match of the day, a 19-4 technical fall to Caden Stout of Coast Guard Academy, needing to battle back in the consolation bracket. Baccala picked up a 10-0 major decision win over Juan Rodriguez of Rhode Island College in the second match of the day before advancing with a 12-1 major decision victory over the 12^th-seeded Joseph Menkello of Norwich University. Baccala wrestled once more, edging out Luke Driscoll, the 7^th seed in the tournament, picking up a 5-4 decision win. The WNE junior will take on 6^th seeded Joshua Nieroda of Roger Williams tomorrow, looking for another upset. 

In the 197 lb. weight class, Charles Maloy advanced with a fall victory in just 1:09 in his opening match of the day, knocking down Brayden Sohn of New England College. Maloy was then pinned by top-ranked Josh Negron of Castleton University, moving the WNE graduate student into the consolation bracket. With one match remaining for the day, Maloy pinned Luke Hutton of Trinity College in just 1:45 to stay alive in the weight class. Maloy will take on 4^th-seeded Anthony Fernandez of Johnson & Wales University tomorrow, looking to stay alive in a bid for third place in the weight class. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The six Golden Bears will all battle in the consolation bracket tomorrow morning, looking to place third overall in the weight class to advance to the NCAA National Championships.