Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 10 No. 6 | June 2018

inside.hokiesports.com Jimmy Robertson Dave Knachel Editor Photographer John Sours Contributors Designer Andrew Bauschelt—Hokie Club Jared Wilson— IMG *To advertise with Virginia Tech athletics or Inside Hokie Sports, contact Brandon Forbis at IMG Sports 540-961-7604 June 2018 Vol. 10, No. 6 Published by the Virginia Tech Athletics Department • Inside Hokie Sports (ISSN 8750-9148, periodical postage paid at Blacksburg, VA 24060 and additional mailing offices) covers Virginia Tech athletics and is published six times annually. The publisher is the Virginia Tech Athletics Department, 21 Beamer Way, Blacksburg, VA 24061. SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: $37.95 for one year (six issues) and $69.95 for two years. Mail all subscription inquiries, renewals, address changes, written inquiries and complaints to Inside Hokie Sports, Jamerson Athletic Center, Virginia Tech, 21 Beamer Way, Blacksburg, VA 24061 or call (540) 231-6726. Inside Hokie Sports assumes no responsibility for companies and persons who advertise in this publication. Reproduction of contents in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Publisher does not guarantee accuracy of information contained in any advertisement. ATTN POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Inside Hokie Sports, P.O. Box 11101, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-1101. Printed by Worth Higgins & Associates of Richmond, Virginia contents 2 Hokie Club News 7 News and Notes Tech wrestlers make U.S. national teams 9 From the Editor’s Desk 10 Behind the Mic—Jon Laaser Sports interjects itself in wedding reception 12 Student-Athlete Development Trip to Rwanda changes student-athletes’ perspectives—and lives 14 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Both Tech squads finish in top 15; 12 earn All-America honors 16 Top 10 of 2017-18 DMR team’s national title and wrestling’s ACC crown top the list 19 2017-18 Athlete of the Year Jared Haught’s run to the NCAA final leads to him being magazine’s Athlete of the Year 20 2017-18 Athletes of the Year (by sport) A breakdown of each sport’s Athlete of the Year 40 Track and Field Spotlight—Vincent Ciattei Tech runner battled injuries for a long time before coming one of the nation’s best 43 IHS Extra—Tech names new coaches in swimming, softball Both have ties to AD Whit Babcock and both are proven winners as head coaches 12 14 16 19 40 43