When Zach Levey, ’25, graduated from Horseheads High School, he had already established himself as one of New York State's top wrestlers. A NYS wrestling finalist, he took his talents to pursue a degree in nursing while continuing his education at a SUNY institution.
After a year, Levey realized nursing wasn't the right fit and he made the difficult decision to start over and search for a path that aligned more closely with his interests and career goals. That search led him to transfer to Alfred State.
In the spring of 2023, Levey transferred into Alfred State's Radiologic Technology program and joined the wrestling team. It proved to be a life-changing decision.
Over the next two years, Levey excelled both in the classroom and on the mat. As a member of the wrestling program, he helped elevate the Pioneers to new heights, earning individual and team conference championships in each of his two seasons. He was a two-time NCAA All-Region selection, a regional finalist, and an NCAA National Championships qualifier.
One of the most memorable moments of his career came during the regional championships when Levey secured his spot at the NCAA Division III National Championships. Roughly an hour later, teammate Sean Malenfant punched his own ticket to nationals, marking a historic day for the program and helping Alfred State men's wrestling earn its first-ever team qualification to the NCAA National Championships.
“Zach transferring to Alfred State was huge for our program,” commented Head Wrestling Coach Justin Signorelli. “Our school provided the perfect match of academic and athletics for him. His hard work on the wrestling mat and in the classroom led to him to the highest level of our sport but more importantly to a career he is proud of.”
While his athletic achievements were impressive, Levey was equally committed to academic success. He earned NWCA Scholar All-American honors while completing the rigorous requirements of the Radiologic Technology program.
His experience culminated in two milestone moments that perfectly captured his Alfred State journey: celebrating on the mat after qualifying for the national championships and, just weeks later, participating in his Radiologic Technology Pinning Ceremony before graduating in 2025.
Alfred State provided Levey with more than a second chance. It offered the opportunity to discover a field he was passionate about, continue competing in the sport he loves, and leave a lasting impact on a growing wrestling program.
Alfred State celebrates all transfers during National Transfer Student Week (Oct. 19 – 23).
