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A
cursory glance at the Virginia
Tech wrestling roster reveals
the weight classes for each of
the Hokies’ 28 wrestlers, but
the best way to size up any
student-athlete isn’t through
the information found on
an online roster, but through
the oft-forgotten means of
communication known as
conversation.
Such a means would lead one to deduce
rather quickly that Jared Haught is a small
town, country kid. Haught himself would
agree—for the most part.
“There’s no town, really,” he said.
The least heralded and least known of
the six wrestlers who earned All-America
honors for the Hokies last season calls a
remote spot in West Virginia his home. He
grew up on a farm, and he prefers casting a
line to congregating at any of Blacksburg’s
downtown establishments. He even saves his
meal money to purchase fishing lures.
But judging this young man from his
rural upbringing would be utterly foolish.
Academically, he continues his dogged
pursuit of a degree in mechanical engineering.
Athletically, he knows how to work, he
personifies toughness, and most importantly
to Virginia Tech faithful, he carries both
over to the mat, where he quietly could be a
national championship contender this season.
Haught never dreamed of such lofty goals
growing up on the family farm in Calhoun
Jared Haught
grew up in a rural part
of West Virginia, and his humble roots have instilled
in him a work ethic that has led to him becoming an
All-American and possible national title contender
by
Jimmy Robertson
36
Inside Hokie Sports