Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 4 | March 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 March 2019 Vol. 11, No. 4 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 Hokies salvaged what could have been a bleak situation—while also getting better 12 NCAA Track and Field Championships Pocratsky wins first individual medal; Tech women tie for 15th 14 IHS Extra—Bud Foster Q&A Tech defensive coordinator hopes returning talent leads to better defense this spring 20 IHS Extra—Brad Cornelsen Q&A Tech offensive coordinator expects to see efficient, productive offense this spring 26 ACC Wrestling Championships Three Hokies win individual titles; Tech finishes second overall 28 ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships Peter Seufer, Deakin Volz and Jacory Patterson win gold to lift Tech men to share of team title 30 Track and Field Spotlight—Peter Seufer Tech’s distance leader ranks as one of ACC’s best 36 Baseball Spotlight—Luke Horanski Tech catcher has a big personality and a game to match 40 Softball Spotlight—Lauren Duff After season off, future law enforcement officer returning to form on softball field 44 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships Tech men with 12th top-five finish since school joined the league 20 12 14 44 40 28 26 36 30