SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 13, 2026) – Three Golden Bears representing WNE softball, men's outdoor track & field, and men's tennis have been named Golden Bear Athletes of the Week following outstanding weeks for their respective programs this past week. 

Marley Rodriguez helped the Golden Bears to three wins over the weekend, sweeping a home doubleheader with the University of Hartford, while splitting a Sunday doubleheader with Curry College. Rodriguez opened the first game against Hartford with a hit, a two-run home run, which was her 99^th career hit within the program, helping the Golden Bears to a 5-3 victory. In game two, Rodriguez was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate, recording her 100^th career hit in the process, while taking a pair of walks in the win. The Austin, Texas native continued to tear the cover off the ball in Sunday's twin-ball action, recording four more hits in seven at-bats, adding three extra-base hits, an RBI, and a stolen base that saw Western New England softball improve to 8-2 in Conference of New England play this season. 

Joshua Farrell raced in two events this past weekend for the Golden Bears at the Jerry Gravel Invitational, taking first and third places, respectively. In his 800m run, Farrell came in with a time of 2:04.58, just a second more than his previous career high, which he took last week at the Springfield College Classic. In the 3000m steeplechase event, Farrell cruised past the competition, winning the race in 10:07.84, more than 13 seconds better than the second-place racer, earning his first individual first-place finish of the outdoor season on the year. 

Michel Abizaid Nunez came away with two wins in three matches for the Western New England men's tennis team, including earning a big win in a CNE match over the weekend. To start the week, Nunez came up with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in the fourth singles position over UMass-Boston's Sam Tavassoli Hojati, helping Western New England to a 5-2 win in the match. Abizaid Nunez fell in a CNE match to top-ranked Roger Williams, but forced a tiebreaker in the second set, dropping a 6-2, 7-6 (5) match. The WNE junior bounced back for a victory in CNE play over the University of New England, coming up with a 6-1, 6-4 win over UNE's Dawson Turcotte, earning the Golden Bears a big point in the match, leading to another 5-2 victory for the Blue and Gold. 

The Western New England softball team will play six games this coming week, beginning on the road on Thursday, April 16 at 3:00 and 5:00 PM, taking on the Owls of Westfield State University. WNE will also entertain Roger Williams University (April 18) and Nichols College (April 19) from Golden Bear Softball Park this weekend. 

WNE outdoor track and field has one final tune-up event this coming Friday, April 17, before Conference of New England Championships. WNE travels to the Bonnie Edmondson Classic at Eastern Connecticut State University for a 12:00 PM start. 

WNE men's tennis has just three matches remaining in the regular season as they push for the playoffs. The Golden Bears round out CNE play this week with a home match against the Hawks of the University of Hartford on Tuesday, April 14, at 3:30 PM, before traveling to Wentworth Institute of Technology on Saturday, April 18, at 4:00 PM.