MATTHEW VALENTI, Pennsylvania ’07:  In 2006 at 133, Matt Valenti became Penn’s third national champion; the next year he joined Dick DiBattista as two-time champions. He was the third EIWA two-time champion since 1986. Matt also reached the Round of 12 and placed fifth. A three-time EIWA champion after 2^nd as a freshman, Valenti was twice EIWA Wrestler of the Year and a unanimous Ivy League Wrestler of the Year as senior. Matt is Penn’s all-time leader in wins with 137 and is co-owner of Penn records for wins in a season (36, achieved twice) and season falls (11). Valenti was a two-time NJ champion, National HS 2nd, Junior National Freestyle Champion, Cadet National All-American and Second-team ASICS All-American.

       As post-grad, Valenti won bronze at the Pan-American Championships and 3^rd for the LVAC at the U.S. National Open.  He placed 4^th at a U.S. World Team Trials weight featuring  five World Team members. A Wharton graduate, Valenti served as an assistant at Columbia University (coaching their first EIWA champion since 1995) and has been a part of Penn’s coaching staff since 2009.