Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Yozzo, Peter
Peter Yozzo
- Induction:
- 2005
- Class:
- 1987
One of the most exciting grapplers to ever don the Brown and White, Pete Yozzo was a national champion at 142 pounds. A three-time NCAA All-American and a three-time EIWA champion, Yozzo became the first Lehigh wrestler to ever win 100 career bouts.
Wrestling at 142 pounds, Yozzo did more than just defeat his opponents; he dominated them. In his four years on the mat at Lehigh, Yozzo posted a career record of 100-13-3. In two-thirds of his victories (67 out of 100), Yozzo earned bonus points.
“I think Pete may have had one of the great analytical minds of all the wrestlers I coached,” said legendary Lehigh wrestling coach Thad Turner, who witnessed Yozzo’s fantastic career first-hand from the sidelines. “He had a great aptitude to find out how to beat his opponent. He was a very hard worker and a pleasure to have on the team. His analytical mind has served him well in life after Lehigh too, as he has done extraordinary things since graduation.”
Not only did Yozzo pick up wins, but he did so against some stiff competition. In fact, five of his wins or draws came against eventual national champions.
As a sophomore, Yozzo won an EIWA title at 142 pounds and went on to place third at nationals. A year later, he continued to climb by winning another EIWA crown and posting a second place NCAA finish.
In his senior season, Yozzo won both an EIWA title and a national championship at 142 pounds. His pin of eventual two-time national champion Pat Santoro (who later became Lehigh’s head coach in 2008-09) in the national finals marked career victory number 100 for Yozzo. He won 93% of his matches during his final three years at Lehigh, and over the course of his final two seasons, Yozzo scored bonus points in 75 percent of his bouts.
For his efforts, Yozzo was twice named the EIWA’s Outstanding Wrestler. He is one of five Lehigh matmen and the program's illustrious history to have earned that distinction more than once over the course of a career.
“I am honored to be recognized alongside a group of people that I grew up looking up to: guys like Mike Frick, Mark Lieberman, and so many other wrestling legends in Lehigh’s great history,” Yozzo said.
Yozzo earned his degree in finance from Lehigh in 1987. Since graduating from Lehigh, Yozzo has been a founder of three companies. He is currently the founder and CEO of Think HR, a human resources firm based in California. At the same time, Yozzo is a volunteer assistant coach at Foothill High School, located in Pleasanton, California.
Yozzo and his wife, Laura, currently reside in Pleasanton with their four children at Nicole ‘18 (a member of the Lehigh softball team), Thomas, Hannah and Katie.
Wrestling at 142 pounds, Yozzo did more than just defeat his opponents; he dominated them. In his four years on the mat at Lehigh, Yozzo posted a career record of 100-13-3. In two-thirds of his victories (67 out of 100), Yozzo earned bonus points.
“I think Pete may have had one of the great analytical minds of all the wrestlers I coached,” said legendary Lehigh wrestling coach Thad Turner, who witnessed Yozzo’s fantastic career first-hand from the sidelines. “He had a great aptitude to find out how to beat his opponent. He was a very hard worker and a pleasure to have on the team. His analytical mind has served him well in life after Lehigh too, as he has done extraordinary things since graduation.”
Not only did Yozzo pick up wins, but he did so against some stiff competition. In fact, five of his wins or draws came against eventual national champions.
As a sophomore, Yozzo won an EIWA title at 142 pounds and went on to place third at nationals. A year later, he continued to climb by winning another EIWA crown and posting a second place NCAA finish.
In his senior season, Yozzo won both an EIWA title and a national championship at 142 pounds. His pin of eventual two-time national champion Pat Santoro (who later became Lehigh’s head coach in 2008-09) in the national finals marked career victory number 100 for Yozzo. He won 93% of his matches during his final three years at Lehigh, and over the course of his final two seasons, Yozzo scored bonus points in 75 percent of his bouts.For his efforts, Yozzo was twice named the EIWA’s Outstanding Wrestler. He is one of five Lehigh matmen and the program's illustrious history to have earned that distinction more than once over the course of a career.
“I am honored to be recognized alongside a group of people that I grew up looking up to: guys like Mike Frick, Mark Lieberman, and so many other wrestling legends in Lehigh’s great history,” Yozzo said.
Yozzo earned his degree in finance from Lehigh in 1987. Since graduating from Lehigh, Yozzo has been a founder of three companies. He is currently the founder and CEO of Think HR, a human resources firm based in California. At the same time, Yozzo is a volunteer assistant coach at Foothill High School, located in Pleasanton, California.
Yozzo and his wife, Laura, currently reside in Pleasanton with their four children at Nicole ‘18 (a member of the Lehigh softball team), Thomas, Hannah and Katie.
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