Wrestling
Matt Valenti
- Title:
- John Huemer Assistant Coach of Wrestling
Matt Valenti, a two-time NCAA national champion at the University of Pennsylvania, was promoted to the first assistant coach position in August 2008. Valenti joined the Columbia Wrestling staff as the second assistant in August 2007.
"I am proud to announce that Matt has been promoted to the first assistant coach position for our program,” said Brendan Buckley, the Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling. “Although only in his second year in the coaching ranks, he has proven himself to not only be a terrific wrestler but a great motivator and role model for our student-athletes.”
Valenti, one of the most decorated wrestlers in Ivy League history, defeated Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State, 4-2, in the 2007 NCAA final, capturing his second consecutive national title at 133 pounds. He finished his career with a program-record 137 wins, including a 32-2 record as a senior. Valenti was a three-time EIWA champion, and was twice honored as EIWA Wrestler of the Year. He was also the unanimous choice as Ivy League Wrestler of the Year in 2007, and was a three-time All-Ivy League first team selection.
"An excellent student at Penn, Matt did what few people have ever done: won back-to-back national titles as one of the greatest lightweight wrestlers in recent years," Buckley explained. "We are able to utilize his skills on the mat as well as in recruiting. Our light to middleweight recruits will be hard-pressed to find a better workout partner than Matt Valenti.”
As a junior, Valenti beat Purdue's Chris Fleeger, 3-2, in the national title match, finishing the year 36-2 with 24 consecutive victories, and became the first Penn junior to reach the 100-career win plateau. He also tied his own team record of 36 wins in a season. Valenti placed fifth at the NCAA Championships as a sophomore, won 36 matches and captured the Keystone Classic by defeating Tom Noto of Hofstra in overtime. He advanced to the Round of 12 at the national tournament as a first-year, posting a Penn newcomer record of 33 victories that season.
In freestyle wrestling, Valenti was a FILA Junior All-American, a Junior National Freestyle Champion and a Cadet National All-American. As a student at Kittatinny High School, he was a two-time New Jersey state scholastic champion, and was named to the Wrestling USA All-Academic Team and second team ASICS All-America squads.
Valenti, who hails from Newton, N.J., graduated from Penn in 2007 with a B.A. in history. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management at Columbia. His brother, Andy, is a senior on the wrestling team at Penn, while his youngest brother, Derek, will wrestle for Virginia.
"I am proud to announce that Matt has been promoted to the first assistant coach position for our program,” said Brendan Buckley, the Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling. “Although only in his second year in the coaching ranks, he has proven himself to not only be a terrific wrestler but a great motivator and role model for our student-athletes.”
Valenti, one of the most decorated wrestlers in Ivy League history, defeated Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State, 4-2, in the 2007 NCAA final, capturing his second consecutive national title at 133 pounds. He finished his career with a program-record 137 wins, including a 32-2 record as a senior. Valenti was a three-time EIWA champion, and was twice honored as EIWA Wrestler of the Year. He was also the unanimous choice as Ivy League Wrestler of the Year in 2007, and was a three-time All-Ivy League first team selection.
"An excellent student at Penn, Matt did what few people have ever done: won back-to-back national titles as one of the greatest lightweight wrestlers in recent years," Buckley explained. "We are able to utilize his skills on the mat as well as in recruiting. Our light to middleweight recruits will be hard-pressed to find a better workout partner than Matt Valenti.”
As a junior, Valenti beat Purdue's Chris Fleeger, 3-2, in the national title match, finishing the year 36-2 with 24 consecutive victories, and became the first Penn junior to reach the 100-career win plateau. He also tied his own team record of 36 wins in a season. Valenti placed fifth at the NCAA Championships as a sophomore, won 36 matches and captured the Keystone Classic by defeating Tom Noto of Hofstra in overtime. He advanced to the Round of 12 at the national tournament as a first-year, posting a Penn newcomer record of 33 victories that season.
In freestyle wrestling, Valenti was a FILA Junior All-American, a Junior National Freestyle Champion and a Cadet National All-American. As a student at Kittatinny High School, he was a two-time New Jersey state scholastic champion, and was named to the Wrestling USA All-Academic Team and second team ASICS All-America squads.
Valenti, who hails from Newton, N.J., graduated from Penn in 2007 with a B.A. in history. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management at Columbia. His brother, Andy, is a senior on the wrestling team at Penn, while his youngest brother, Derek, will wrestle for Virginia.
Highlights: WR | Columbia 30, Bucknell 6
Sunday, February 22
Highlights: WR | Columbia at Hofstra
Sunday, November 16
Highlights: WR | Columbia 27, Brown 17
Sunday, February 16
Highlights: WR | Columbia 32, Harvard 8
Saturday, February 15
