Marksman Returns to Coach

Three decades after graduating from St. Mark’s, Reyno Arrendondo ’87 returned to campus this summer to serve as the head varsity wrestling coach and a physical education teacher. Reyno returns to Dallas after retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. His military career began upon graduation from St. Mark’s, when he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and has taken him all around the world, including combat and non-combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. During this time, he also earned an M.A. from the University of Texas. Later, he served on the faculty at West Point as Associate Athletic Director of Football Operations, in addition to teaching Spanish and organizational leadership. Despite his whirlwind career, Reyno has remained connected to his alma mater, keeping in touch with classmates during Alumni Weekend, attending New York Regional Club events, and even returning to St. Mark’s wrestling practices to offer advice.

“It is an incredible honor to teach at St. Mark’s because I get to help shape the bodies and minds of the current and future generations of Marksmen,” Coach Arrendondo said. “St. Mark’s and the wrestling program helped me to become a tough individual, internally and externally, and I was very well prepared to succeed in life. That is why returning to St. Mark’s after 30 years away is incredibly exciting to me.”

While at St. Mark’s, Reyno excelled as a wrestler, competing all four years of Upper School under the tutelage of Coach Rick Ortega. He served as captain his senior year when he was the School’s only undefeated wrestler. He also earned Prep National All-American his junior and senior year and placed third at the State Championships in 1986.

Coach Arrendondo is already getting to work with next year’s Marksman athletes. Throughout the week of July 10–14, he is hosting a free Wrestling Clinic open to all Marksmen in the St. Mark’s Wrestling Room from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

“Our primary priority is to make wrestling another form of art that all Marksmen can enjoy,” Reyno said. “My coaching technique makes wrestling appealing to all types of athletes and really promotes the martial art over pure strength. I hope to use wrestling as another tool to holistically develop Marksmen in smarts, technique, and wisdom.”