While also playing football and baseball as a 3-sport athlete, Rich Santana established himself as a dominant force in New York State wrestling during his time at Long Beach High School. Compiling an impressive career record of 152 wins and only 7 losses, Santana was a 4x Division Champion, also earning the titles of 2-time Sectional Champion, Nassau County Champion, State Finalist, and Empire Games Freestyle State Champion. In addition, he claimed a New York State High School Championship and was honored as an Asics Tiger High School All-American.

Santana continued to find success on the mats at Syracuse University, where he became the second winningest wrestler in the school's history with an overall record of 124-14-2. Competing primarily at 134 pounds, he won the EIWA title twice, in 1990 and 1991. He also secured 3rd place in 1989 and finished 2nd at 142 pounds in 1992. As a 4x NCAA qualifier, Santana earned All-American honors twice, placing 8th in 1990 and 5th in 1991. His achievements were further recognized when he was named Syracuse University College Athlete of The Year in 1990.  

Upon graduating with a degree in Psychology, Santana founded the Rich Santana Wrestling Academy. His goal was to introduce wrestling to children of all ages in a fun and engaging way. Santana also coached at the high school level, helping to develop 4 High School All-Americans, 7 State Champions, and 15 State Place Winners. Since 2016, he has been active in supporting at-risk youth through his volunteer work at the Martin Luther King Center.

Santana currently works for RR Donnelly as a Global Account Manager and resides in Sacramento, CA with his wife Suzanne and their teenaged son.