Please join me in congratulating senior Shane Valko on being named the 2009-10 NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year. Shane, a native of Windber, Pa., also won the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship. An outstanding athlete as well as a fine student-scholar, Shane is the 10th Pitt-Johnstown wrestler to win a national championship, and ranks ninth on Pitt-Johnstown’s all-time win list.
Shane and his teammates, under the fine leadership of our highly respected and nationally recognized Coach Pat Pecora, have contributed most strongly to the rich legacy of athletics at Pitt-Johnstown. We are Mountain Cat Proud of their fine performance this season, and for the great honor that they have brought to our campus through their performance at the national championship.
More information on Shane’s championship season is available at: http://www.upj.pitt.edu/332/. Congratulations, Shane!
Best,
Jem Spectar
Photo reprinted with permission from The Omaha World-Herald. Copyright 2008