Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 6 | June 2019

inside.hokiesports.com Jimmy Robertson Dave Knachel Editor Photographer John Sours Contributors Designer Shelbylynn Adair—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 2019 Vol. 11, 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 9 From the Editor’s Desk 10 Behind the Mic—Jon Laaser Turning 40 no big deal for Tech’s Voice 12 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Seven earn All-America honors, as Tech track teams conclude season 14 Top 10 of 2018-19 Lewis’ run to wrestling crown and the Hokies’ Sweet 16 run headline the list 16 2018-19 Athlete of the Year Mekhi Lewis’ national championship leads to him being magazine’s Athlete of the Year 18 2018-19 Sport-by-Sport Season Review A breakdown of how each of the Hokies’ varsity sports fared over the academic year 38 Monogram Club News 40 Athletics Facilities Tech Athletics starts construction on Student-Athlete Performance Center, weight room renovations 42 Student-Athlete Development Tech student-athletes use career programs to prepare for life after sports 43 Athletics Development Emphasis on the Drive for 25 continues, as the Hokie Club seeks 25,000 members 12 16 18 3 8 14 43 40