Kriss Bellanca joined the Alvernia University staff in July of 2019 after 12 seasons with Division II Kutztown University.
During the 2022-2023 season, Bellanca coached the Golden Wolves to a 17-6 record in dual meets and added two invite victories at the Ursinus Racich Rumble and Messiah’s Petrofes Invite. Bellanca led Alvernia to a runner-up finish at the MAC Championships and a second consecutive runner-up finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional. Seven Golden Wolves earned All-MAC honors in 2022-2023 under Bellanca, including Matthew Lackman, who won the 165 pound title at the MAC Championships. Lackman and Isaac Kassis took home NCAA Southeast Regional titles and they and four other Golden Wolves qualified for the NCAA National Championships. Lackman became the program’s first National Finalist and finished runner up in the 165 pound title, earning him his second consecutive All-American honor as well as MAC Wrestler of the Year honors. Bellanca coached three NWCA Scholar All-Americans in Robert Lawlor, Avery Leonard and Palmer Rodenhaber and two Academic All-MAC recipients in Lackman and Kassis.
Bellanca coached Alvernia to a 16-4 record in dual meets during the 2021-2022 campaign and one invite victory at the Ursinus Racich Rumble. Bellanca also led the Golden Wolves to a third place finish at the MAC Championships and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional where he also was awarded Regional Coach of the Year honors. Alvernia had two MAC Champions in 2021-2022 in Matthew Lackman and Isaac Kassis and had three other wrestlers earn All-MAC honors with Quinn Tobin, Mauro Pellot-Vazquez and Keito Shaw earning All-Conference honors. Bellanca coached four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships with Lackman taking fifth place and earning All-American honors, marking the first NCAA All-American in program history. Lackman also earned MAC Rookie of the Year honors for his performance during the 2021-2022 season.
No official matches were wrestled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but Bellanca still led the Golden Wolves in the classroom with Gavin Hollingsworth earned Academic All-MAC honors and Isaac Kassis, Hollingsworth, Quinn Tobin and Tanner Vogel all earning NWCA National Academic Squad honors.
In his first year with
Alvernia in 2019-20, Bellanca coached the Golden Wolves to a 9-8 record in dual competitions. He also coached two wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Championship in
Tonee Ellis and Palmer Rodenhaber.
At Kutztown, Bellanca was the primary recruiter and was responsible for bringing in five NCAA Division II National Champions, 19 NCAA Division II All-Americans, and 40 NCAA Qualifiers. He also coached 56 wrestlers to podium finishes in the PSAC, and 62 NCAA Region One place winners. Kutztown also finished in the Top 20 in the NCAA on nine occasions, and in the top five in the region on eight occasions, during Bellanca’s time with the program.
Bellanca, a Berks County native, was a PIAA place-winner at Reading High School, and was a Team PA member. Bellanca wrestled for Bucknell University, but transferred to Kutztown University when Bucknell was preparing to drop Division I wrestling. With Kutztown, Bellanca finished his career in the top-15 in all-time wins. He finished third on two occasions in NCAA Regionals, and also had a second place finish in the regional tournament.
Bellanca graduated with honors in 2001 from Kutztown University with a degree in Elementary Education. He worked in the Muhlenberg school district for 19 years as a teacher and behavior specialist. He also has seven years of experience coaching at the high school level with Wyomissing. With the Spartans, Bellanca coached nine PIAA State qualifiers and four PIAA State medalists, including a PIAA State Finalist in 2007.
Bellanca is the founder and director of the nationally-recognized Steel Mat Club, where he trained a number of Pennsylvania State Champions, All-Americans, and National Tournament qualifiers.
|
Dual Record |
MAC Champions |
NCAA Qualifiers |
All-Americans |
| 2019-20 |
9-8 |
Palmer Rodenhaber |
Tonee Ellis
Palmer Rodenhaber |
Tonee Ellis
Palmer Rodenhaber |
