Five Connecticut women are on the roster for the first year of Western New England University’s women’s wrestling team. From left: Ella Nichols, Emma Heslin, Alanna Otero, Dakota-Marie Dinielli, and Sabrina Sedor. (Photo courtesy USA Connecticut Wrestling)
Four women from Connecticut were in the starting lineup on Thursday as Western New England University’s women’s wrestling team had their first dual meet against No. 14 East Stroudsburg University in Springfield.
The host Golden Bears dropped a 31-10 decision to East Stroudsburg.
Freshman Emma Heslin from Hebron and RHAM dropped a 22-16 decision to East Stroudsburg’s Haley Delia in the team’s first-ever match.
Stafford freshman Sabrina Sedor (130) was pinned by ESU’s Carmela Cancelmo as the visitors won their first five bouts of the match.
WNEU’s first-ever win came from freshman Kendal Branchaud (San Leandro, CA), who pinned ESU’s Grace Kaczanowski for five points for the Bears. In women’s collegiate wrestling, pins are worth five points each.
Plainville’s Dakota Marie Dinelli (155) dropped an 11-8 decision to Zoe Gress before Bristol Eastern’s Ella Nichols (170) picked up her first collegiate win when Sophia Lombardo couldn’t continue due to an injury.
Western New England, who is coached by Branford native Cheyenne Carden, returns to action on Sunday when they participate in the ESU Open on the East Stroudsburg campus in East Stroudsburg, Pa.
