PALATINE, Ill. – On the heels of his team's Midwest District title last Sunday at Triton College, Harper College wrestling coach Dan Loprieno has been recognized as the Coach of the Year.  The award was Loprieno's ninth in the last 12 years.
 
“As I've told my guys, it's the staff,” Loprieno said.  “We have a really good staff.  (Assistant coaches) Mike Kelly and Rich Tado work these guys as hard as anyone is going to work.  They bust their hump.  Those are the guys that people hate, but I love them because they give these guys what they need.  (Assistant) Kyle Boore is in there helping me out.  He does a lot of technique.  We all have very different personalities.  If it's just me, I'm probably too nice on these guys.”
 
The seventh-ranked ranked Hawks edged #3 Lincoln College 144.5-141.5 to win the meet.  More importantly, all ten wrestlers qualified for nationals.
 
Harper will be striving for the program's fifth national title under Loprieno's tenure next Friday at the NJCAA Nationals in Rochester, Minn.  But Loprieno realizes that awards and championships are a by-product of what takes place in the wrestling room when no one else is watching.
 
“This is what it takes to be successful, and I'm fortunate to have three committed guys to help me out,” Loprieno said.  “Because without them, none of it would be possible.  That's why we have been able to sustain the program.  We have been up there forever, and it's because of the coaching staff.  There's no turnover here.  If you don't want to work hard, don't come to Harper.”