Shane Valko, who also serves as an assistant coach for the Mountain Cat wrestling team, coached the men's and women's cross country programs from 2013 through 2015. In 2016, Valko gave up the head coaching position to become the assistant coach for both programs.
Valko, the 2010 NCAA Division II National Champion, National tournament Outstanding Wrestler and NWCA National Wrestler of the Year, joined Coach Pat Pecora's staff prior to the 2011-12 season.
Valko is a former four-time National Qualifier and three-time All-American. Prior to winning the national title as a senior, Valko placed fourth as a sophomore in 2008 and was the National Runner-up in 2009.
He won a pair of East Region championships and was named the 2009 East Region Outstanding Wrestler.
In 2008-09, Valko set Pitt-Johnstown’s school-record for falls in a season at 133 lbs. with 18. He finished his career with 48 falls and had double-digit pins in each of his four seasons as a Mountain Cat.
Valko wrapped-up his Pitt-Johnstown career ranked ninth on the Mountain Cat All-Time Wins List with a 115-30 overall record.
Valko came to Pitt-Johnstown after a stellar career at Forest Hills High School where he posted a 164-17 record and was a three-time PIAA AA State Place winner with two fourth-place finishes and a third-place finish in 2005.
In 2010, Valko earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication from Pitt-Johnstown.
He is the son of Mike and Rosemary Valko of Windber, Pa.
