Pitt-Johnstown women's wrestling building 'family' atmosphere
Shane Valko has done everything that he can to build the Pitt-Johnstown women’s wrestling program on the same principles that his mentor, the late Pat Pecora, did to mold the Mountain Cats men’s program into an NCAA Division II powerhouse. Hard-nosed, physical style: Check. Run-back-to-the-center-of-the-mat mindset: Definitely. Superior conditioning to wear out opponents: Always. The only ...
The Pitt-Johnstown women's wrestling team is building a strong family atmosphere under head coach Shane Valko, who takes his cues from the late Pat Pecora, who mentored the men's program to become a powerhouse in NCAA Division II. Valko employs Pecora's tough, physical style, emphasis on conditioning, and the motto of "brothers for life," which the women have adapted to "family for life."
The program's success is evident as Valko's squad went 2-2 in dual meets during its inaugural season with only eight wrestlers on the roster. That number has more than doubled to 18 this season. The addition of first All-American Makayla Paclib, who placed eighth at 131 pounds in 2026 and is now down to 124, has been crucial. Valko expects her to reach the top three nationally in no time.
Paclib, along with Stacallen Mahoe (110 pounds) and Emma Hoppe (145), have each secured titles at the season-opening Mount Olive Trojan Open. Hoppe will secure the 145-pound spot while Golding will move up to 160. Freshman Mahoe, a Hawaiian, was previously a top 15 national, and her work ethic and pushing pace are reminiscent of Paclib.
Valko has also brought in wrestlers from across the country, including Hawaiians Paclib and Chaela Gantala, Texas native Reise Roach, and Florida's Romeo Alvarez, along with Greater Johnstown graduates Sayona Harris-Haye, Janayah Nobles, Zoey Murphy, and Pittsburgh's Kristen Walzer.
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