Allegheny College Athletics

One of Allegheny’s last true wrestling greats, Tony Pendolino battled an injury-plagued career en route to an improbable series of distinctions. 

One of three athletes in program history to earn multiple All-America honors, Pendolino was a two-time All-American at the 134-pound weight class. After winning the College’s Outstanding Freshman Award in 1986, he missed the following season due to injury. 

Pendolino was magnificent upon his return, where he finished fifth at the 1988 NCAA Championships while earning additional honors including the Dennis Dee Andrews 

Memorial Wrestling Trophy and Miles S. Milliron Memorial Most Outstanding 

Performer. The 1989 campaign started with a championship at the Ithaca Invitational, but once again a promising season was cut-short by injury. 

Pendolino showed remarkable resiliency during his senior year with another impressive comeback. He finished 36-6 in his final season and was a five-time tournament champion.  Capping his career with another All-America honor, Pendolino was named Allegheny College Male Athlete of the Year in 1990. 

Pendolino totaled the second-most wins in school history and compiled a winning percentage of .769 in 140 career matches.

Pendolino is a licensed chiropractor with his own medical practice in Plainfield, Ill. He is married to Dr. Stephanie Lacey-Pendolino, and is the proud father of two children, Bella (11) and Anthony (9).