At the University of Pennsylvania, Matt Valenti won two NCAA titles at 133 lbs (in '06 and '07), after finishing 5th as a soph at 125 in 2004 (he deferred in '05). He was a 3x EIWA champion and placed 2nd as a freshman in '03 (the sole finals loss to '03 NCAA 1st, Travis Lee). He owns the Penn record for most wins (137) and single season wins (36 twice). In HS, he won a Jr National Freestyle title and two NJ State championships.

A Columbia U. assistant coach from 2007-09 (before moving back to Penn as assistant coach this July), Matt’s first official appearance for the LVAC came in the U.S. National Open in April ‘09 in Las Vegas. He earned a personal freestyle high – a 3rd place behind Olympian Mike Zadick and runner-up, Shawn Bunch. The trip moved Matt up from 6th to 3rd in the USA Wrestling rankings.

Valenti then represented the LVAC at the U.S. World Team Trials, where he was seeded 2nd in the Challenge Tourney and finished 4th (2-2 overall). He split two bouts with Reece Humphrey, Ohio State’s NCAA 2nd this year. In Rd 2 (after beating Humphrey 3-1, 0-1, 1-0) Matt split his first two periods with Coleman Scott (NCAA 8,5,2,1, for Oklahoma St) before losing late in the bout. The final order of placement: 1-Shawn Bunch; 2-Mike Zadick; 3-Scott; 4-Humphrey; 5-Valenti.

With a new bonus plan approved in May, the LVAC ensured that Matt earned a $500 bonus for placing in the Open (winners receive $1,500; silver $1,000; 3rd place, $500). Similar finishes at ultimate level freestyle events such as the World Team Trials will earn $2,500 for bronze; $5,000 for silver and $10,000 for a title. The new initiative is designed to complement a similar new plan recently announced by USA Wrestling.

The Lehigh Valley Athletic Club and Kutz will continue to provide Valenti with travel and mentor support whenever and wherever possible.