Wrestling | June 08, 2022
PHILADELPHIA – The Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Pennsylvania has announced the multi-year contract renewal of Hall of Fame head wrestling coach,
Roger Reina C'84 WEV'05.
"#TheMovement has had a meteoric rise since Roger's return to leading our wrestling program, and we couldn't be more excited to have him continue to lead our young men," said Alanna Shanahan C'96, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W'69 Director of Athletics and Recreation said. "The success of the team this winter was the direct result of Roger and his staff's tireless efforts in recruiting, coaching, mentoring and fundraising to return Penn to national prominence in wrestling. We look forward to the continued growth of Penn wrestling in the years to come."
Reina has returned the Quakers to the national stage in his second stint leading Penn wrestling. #TheMovement was nationally ranked in 2021-22 for the first time in nine years and finished the season ranked #13 in Flo's final ranking this year. All ten starters were nationally-ranked in the weekly polls, and a program record nine earned NCAA qualifying spots. Reina was recognized as EIWA Coach of the Year in 2022.
Michael Colaiocco was recognized as Penn's first-ever freshman NWCA All-America in 2020 and
CJ Composto became the first freshman NCAA All-America in Penn history by placing eighth at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Colaiocco was the EIWA champion at 133 pounds while Composto,
Anthony Artalona and
Nick Incontrera each placed second.
Penn went 8-2 in dual meets which included a 7-1 record against EIWA opponents and a 4-1 mark in Ivy duals. In addition, Reina and his staff have produced five straight nationally recognized recruiting classes following his return to the coaching ranks.
"I am thrilled and honored to continue our work climbing the national ladder, aiming big and helping unleash the full potential of our student wrestlers and our Penn program," Reina said. "#TheMovement is accelerating, while our community grows stronger every day. Many thanks to our administration leadership, our loyal alumni, family and friends for their tremendous support and encouragement."
The 1984 Penn graduate originally led the Quakers from 1986-2005 and amassed a program-record 205 wins and a .649 winning percentage during his first tenure coaching at his alma mater, which he began at the age of 24 as the youngest head coach in program history. He guided the Quakers to four consecutive EIWA championships including records that still stand for most points scored at a Championships and largest margin of victory.
Penn earned eight Ivy League titles during his initial run as head coach, and he recruited and coached a pair of NCAA champions (Brett Matter,
Matt Valenti), a national freestyle champions at every age level, and an Olympic Gold Medalist (Brandon Slay). Reina led Penn to five NCAA Top 20 finishes in a six-year span including a Top 10 NCAA finish and two eighth-place finishes at the National Dual Meet Championships.
Throughout his career as a wrestler, coach, mentor, alumnus and administrator, Reina's focus has been on the betterment of his alma mater's wrestling program and the growth of the sport in his hometown of Philadelphia through Penn Wrestling, the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center, and Beat the Streets Philadelphia. Penn will host the EIWA Championships in 2023 and co-host the NCAA Championships in 2025.
In 2017, Reina was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Pennsylvania chapter for his dedicated service to the sport of wrestling across all levels. He also was inducted into the Penn Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 as a member of Class VI, and the EIWA Hall of Fame in 2009.
