Frank Pelegri, Pace High School’s long-time wrestling coach of 20 years, was formally inducted into the Florida chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Service to Wrestling award on August 6.
Pelegri was one of four coaches and three officials from Florida inducted as part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016 at the awards ceremony and banquet held at a Disney Springs Resort on August 5 and 6.
In attendance to support Pelegri were his family, Pace principal Ana Garcia and other administrators, his assistant wrestling coach and Olympic bronze medalist Lazaro Reinoso, and several Pace alumni who wrestled under Pelegri.
Two of these alumni were Tony Santiago and Maques Coleman, who won individual state championships for Pace in 1998 and 2001 respectively. Coleman was also a part of the team that Pelegri coached to a FHSAA State Championship in 2000, making them the first state champions from a Miami-Dade County private school.
Before arriving at Pace in 1996, Pelegri coached wrestling at several high schools and colleges such as the University of Minnesota and Lyndonwood University. Last school year, he was inducted into the Pace Hall of Fame and coached Class of 2016 alumnus Alex Perez to a state championship in the 138 lbs. weight class. In total, he has amassed a career record of 385 wins, 32 losses, and 2 ties.
For his success, Pelegri credits his Christian faith and the school’s focus on Christ, a devotion he says has been strengthened by Garcia’s leadership.
“It has truly been a blessing to have had a Christ-centered school such as Pace,” said Pelegri. “It has given me the ability to draw strength from the Lord. I am extremely grateful for the wins and trophies, but the important thing is teaching [our wrestlers] to be God-fearing men, strong and courageous men who are never weak or afraid!”