Take 5 with Pat Santoro '85

A Most memorable moment as a wrestler: I can't pinpoint one. It's more about the journey and the people you met. You think about the team you've been with. It's hard to pinpoint just one of them.

Most memorable moment as a coach: I've had a few of them. When [Lehigh's] Rob Rohn [came from the biggest championship finals deficit in NCAA history to win] in the finals. I think one that really stood out. Troy Letters' win in the NCAA finals his freshman year. Also, Maryland winning the ACC championship this year. Seeing the team come around like it did, seeing where they came from, was very memorable.

Most memorable moment with your family: Every day.

Accomplishment most proud of: Becoming a father. It was pretty amazing. I was in the delivery room.

Favorite place for wrestling and why: Grace Hall obviously. I'll probably get shot for saying this, but (Penn State's) Rec Hall. I loved the atmosphere, the crowds. Being in that atmosphere with a thousand people screaming. It's very motivating for the wrestlers and the coaches. Lock Haven used to be like that. It was always a fun gym. Clarion, back in the day, with its band. They probably don't do that anymore. Anytime you wrestle a big-time team, it's fun to be in their gym. A How old when you first started to wrestle? Six. It wasn't competitively. I was following my brother to the gym. My dad (Dick, NCAA third-place for Lehigh in 1958) was very patient with wrestling. He brought me on slowly. He said, "You're going to play basketball, other sports. I did, and I thought of going to the mats as play. That's probably why I've been in it for so long.

When did you start to get good? I don't know if I ever got good. I think when I went to Blair Academy, in that transition year with Bob Latessa and Jeff Buxton, was really good for me. I probably talk to Jeff three times a week for the last 20 years. It was a different style and learning. In high school, you're always with the same team. When I got to Blair, I was meshed together with a lot of different people and styles. That's when the light bulb went on, that there was a lot to learn in the sport, and I became addicted.

Hobbies: Since I became a head coach, none. I like to hunt and fish: bass and trout. Hunting, I'm usually just standing in the cold.

Is your wife from here? Julie went to Penn State. I went to Pitt. She grew up on a farm in Pittsburgh with my college roommate. We met back when I was in Pittsburgh, And we were re-introduced when I moved (to Maryland). We got married in October of '05. I missed the first week of practice, probably the only time I've ever missed practice, for the honeymoon in Aruba.

Blackberry or other mobile phone: Treo, which I still don't know how to use after three years.

Addicted to texting or e-mail: Probably e-mail.

Favorite Web site: flocasts.com.

Favorite venue: Wherever the NCAA tournament is.

Favorite meal: I don't have one. I like all foods.

Guilty pleasure: My biggest vice is coffee, just milk or a little cream.

Your wrestlers will be surprised to know that you: I play with my daughter. I'm pretty silly with her. I don't ever dance but I'll dance with my daughter.

Daily wake-up time: Whenever Leah wakes up. Sometimes it's 5:30, sometimes it's 6 or 6:30. I'm a 7 o'clock guy.

Biggest influence in life: My family. My parents, Dick and Mary, still live in Bethlehem in the same house I grew up in.

Biggest influence other than family: I don't get impressed with people who are famous, more with the people who have impacted my life. Coach Buxton, coach Latessa, coach (Thad) Turner, coach (Rick) Lorenzo. Probably one of the biggest ones is (Pitt coach) Rande Stottlemyer. I'm always impressed by how much they have given to other people. That has inspired me.

Person you would most like to meet: Our next national champion.

Favorite travel trip/vacation: Somewhere quiet, just to spend it with family and friends.

Ultimate travel destination: Everywhere I've traveled overseas, I've been in a gym. For wrestling. I've always wanted to go to Australia or Greece. I missed my free trip (as an Olympian). Israel would be a great place.

"Dancing with the Stars" or "American Idol": American Idol.

"Lost:" or "Heroes": Boy, that's a coin toss. The DVR is backed up with about 11 of them. We'll watch them all over a few nights.