Men’s Basketball Caps Historic Season with NCAA Sweet 16 Run

After a modest 4–3 start to the season, the Western New England University (WNE) men’s basketball team surged with eight straight Conference of New England (CNE) wins, gaining momentum heading into the final week of regular-season play. WNE closed the season strong, defeating Gordon College on the road, 85–74, and securing a critical 77–61 victory over Endicott College—both teams vying for top conference positions.

With a 19–6 overall record and a 15–3 mark in conference play, the Golden Bears entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed. They cruised past Roger Williams University in the semifinals, 97–65, before edging Suffolk University in a nail-biting 75–74 CNE Championship win. The victory earned WNE its first NCAA Tournament berth since the 2000–2001 season.

In the NCAA opener, WNE drew Hamilton College and delivered a historic performance, earning the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Four players hit double figures: Cody Palazzesi (14), Brian Geitner (17), Tim Restall (17), and Jake Harrison (13). Riding that momentum, the team advanced to the Round of 32, where Restall exploded for 30 points in a 79–61 win over Montclair State University— punching the Golden Bears’ ticket to the Sweet 16.

WNE’s impressive run came to a close in the national tournament with a final season record of 23–7.

The accolades continued after the season however, as Head Coach Colin Tabb, in his tenth year leading the program, was named CNE Coach of the Year and Region II Coach of the Year by D3hoops.com. Tim Restall earned CNE First Team All-Conference and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District Second Team honors. Teammates Jake Harrison and Brian Geitner were also recognized with All-Conference Second and Third Team selections, respectively.

Hines Leads WNE Wrestling to 25th NCAA Appearance

The WNE men’s wrestling team celebrated its historic 50th anniversary this season and marked its 25th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Senior Cameron Hines represented the Golden Bears at the NCAA Championships in the 174 lb. weight class after earning a first-place finish at the NCAA Northeast Regional. With that victory, Hines became the 31st Golden Bear to be crowned a regional champion. He went on to win one match on the national stage—held in Providence, RI—and concluded his senior season in blue and gold with an impressive 27–6 record.

The team also enjoyed one of its most successful seasons to date, finishing with a 13–5 overall dual record—their highest win total and best winning percentage since 1998.

First NCAA Win Highlights Unforgettable Season for Women’s Basketball

The WNE women’s basketball team returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year and completed the most successful season in program history with a 25–4 overall record.

The Golden Bears opened the year strong with road wins over nationally ranked Springfield College and Rhode Island College. They went on to win their first 10 games, then added another 13-game winning streak to enter the final game of the regular season at 23-1. Although WNE fell in two of their final three games—including a heartbreaking loss in the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship— they earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament thanks to their dominant regular-season performance.

In the opening round, WNE faced perennial Division III powerhouse Tufts University. On the road, the Golden Bears delivered a historic 61–52 win—the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. Their season concluded in the NCAA Round of 32, cementing a record-setting year. The team was also ranked in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) national top 25 poll for the first time in program history.

Senior Lilly Hedge led the team on and off the court, earning multiple postseason honors. She was named CNE Player of the Year—the first Golden Bear to receive the award since 2016—and earned First Team All-Conference honors. She was also named to the New England Women’s Basketball Association (NEWBA) All-Region Second Team, D3hoops.com Region II First Team, and received WBCA NCAA Division III All-America Honorable Mention. Hedge capped her collegiate career by competing in both the WBCA Senior All-Star Game and the NEWBA All-Star Game.

Additionally, senior Shaina Cooney earned All-Conference recognition for the third straight season, further highlighting the depth and talent of this record-breaking squad.

Softball Secures Second Straight CNE Title, Returns to NCAA Tournament

The WNE softball team captured its second consecutive Conference of New England (CNE) title this spring—its ninth in program history. Entering the tournament as the No. 3 seed, the Golden Bears upset No. 2 seed Nichols College twice, including in the championship game, to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.

The season began with a 6–6 showing at THE Spring Games in Clermont, Fla. Upon returning home, WNE found momentum, winning six of their next eight games to start conference play strong. Riley Kane led the team both offensively and in the pitching circle. After closing the regular season with three straight CNE wins, the Golden Bears secured the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament.

WNE’s path to the championship featured four tightly contested games. In the opener against Wentworth Institute of Technology, the Golden Bears walked off with an 8–7 win after a three-run seventh inning capped by Ava Barnhart’s game-winning hit. Barnhart struck again in the next game with a clutch single in the seventh to upset Nichols. A victory over top-seeded Endicott College sent WNE to the finals, where Barnhart delivered once more—this time with a walk-off single in the eighth inning of a 1–0 win over Nichols, securing the championship.

The Golden Bears advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships for the second straight year, competing in the regional round in Virginia Beach, VA. There, they faced national powerhouses Virginia Wesleyan and Messiah University. WNE concluded its season with a 26–17–1 record.

Outdoor Track and Field Launches Inaugural Season with Record-Breaking Performances

The WNE men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams launched their inaugural season in spring 2025, achieving immediate success under Head Coach Jon Harris ’04. In their debut campaign, the Golden Bears set numerous personal bests and established several school records.

Four student-athletes and two relay teams became the first in program history to represent WNE at the New England Division III Championships. Springfield native Kayla Kyles competed in the long jump, finishing 20th with a 5.02m mark. Graduate student Matt Provost placed 25th in the 10,000m, while Nolan Palmer ran the 400m hurdles in 57.41, finishing 23rd. Ike Ogbonnanze qualified in both the shot put and discus, placing 12th (13.89m) and an impressive 7th in discus (44.38m) out of 29 competitors.

The women’s 4x100m relay team—Imani Brown-Taylor, Fallon Lynch, Gabrielle Minuti, and Kyles—clocked a school-best 51.29 to finish 18th. On the men’s side, the 4x400m team of Palmer, Nick Smith, Jerzyon Harrison-Durley, and Jordie Morgan recorded a program-best 3:27.20, placing 14th overall.

Western New England’s outdoor track and field program will return for an exciting second season in spring 2026.