Alex Conti has been named interim coach of Buffalo State University's women's wrestling team.

Conti, an inductee of the Western New York Wrestling and the Chautauqua Sports halls of fame, is a pioneer of women's wrestling in the region. He has served as New York USA Wrestling's women's director and as a coach of Team USA women's freestyle wrestling squad at the Pan American Games. Conti is also a past winner of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Girls Coach of the Year award.

The Buffalo State women's wrestling team is scheduled to begin competition this fall.

"We are very fortunate to have Alex joining our staff to help launch women's wrestling at Buffalo State University," said Jeff Ventura, Buffalo State senior associate director of athletics. "Alex brings a wealth of experience and his passion for the sport and existing relationships in the extended wrestling community will play an instrumental role in ensuring a successful start for the program in its inaugural season."

Conti recently retired after 29 years as a physical education teacher in the Fredonia Central School District, including many years as a wrestling coach. He was instrumental in establishing the girls wrestling program at Fredonia High School.

"I am very excited to take on this challenge to help coach the inaugural women's wrestling season at Buffalo State University," Conti said. "We have a tremendous group of talented female wrestlers coming to campus in August. I hope the level of enthusiasm they bring to the sport matches the talent I know they have. If that happens, we will have a tremendous season--win, lose, or draw."

Conti is a native of Fredonia, and wrestled at Ball State University, SUNY Brockport and Jamestown Community College.

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Please contact Geoff Nason (nasongl@buffalostate.edu, 716-228-2712), Buffalo State University director of communications and content strategy, for additional information or to schedule interviews.