PHILADELPHIA – Welcome back, Doug! The University of Pennsylvania wrestling head coach Roger Reina announced the addition of Doug Zapf C'23 to his staff as an assistant coach on Wednesday afternoon.
 
"We are thrilled to announce Doug Zapf is joining the Penn wrestling staff as an assistant coach," said Reina. "Doug has proven himself at all levels of competition and with impressive leadership as a multi-year team captain at Penn.  His loyalty, work ethic, and dedication are second to none and serve as a shining example to everyone involved with our program." 
 
Zapf, a 2023 graduate, had a successful career as a four-year starter and three-time NCAA qualifier for the Quakers. He won 84 matches and served as a two-year captain while wearing the Red and Blue. Zapf picked up many accolades to boost his time in University City, garnering All-Ivy honors all four years as well as being named a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American.
 
"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and one I don't take lightly," Zapf explained. "This program and community have meant the world to me, and to continue to be a leader of it is an honor."
 
After his four years wrestling for the Quakers, Zapf went on to compete at the professional level, being the first athlete to transition from Penn wrestling to becoming a resident senior athlete with the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC). Zapf claimed the 70-kilogram national title at the U23 Freestyle Nationals to open his professional career in June of 2023, quickly followed by winning gold at 70 kg at the Poland Open. In the fall of 2023, Zapf and the rest of Team USA wrestling won the U23 Championships, where he placed fifth individually at 70 kg. He also has a bronze medal at 70 kg under his belt from the Zagreb Open in Croatia, which he earned back in January.
 
Zapf joins the recently named Joshua J. Harris Wrestling Associate Head Coach Matt Valenti C'07 on the Quakers' staff for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign, where Penn will help co-host the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Wells Fargo Center March 21-23.
 
"Doug's passion and desire to help Penn wrestling makes him a great fit for our staff," exclaimed Valenti. "Throughout his years as a student and senior-level athlete, Doug has earned his accolades through hard work and grit - continuously raising the bar for all around him. I have no doubt he will continue to help Penn climb towards accomplishing our goals. I'm excited and honored to be sitting in the corner with Doug."