Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 5 | May 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 May 2019 Vol. 11, No. 5 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 Celebrating one chapter, while moving on to the next 12 Student-Athlete Development Wilding siblings the first at Tech to be honored as Skelton winners 14 IHS Extra—Mekhi Lewis enjoying newfound fame First Tech wrestler to win a national title has made Lewis a popular figure 16 IHS Extra—Young the new leader of Tech men’s basketball Radford native returns home after successful stint at Wofford 20 IHS Extra—Wilding, Okuda named Skelton Award winners The duo is doing incredible things in the classroom and has big plans for the future 22 Spring Position Reviews A review of each position based on coaches’ evaluations of spring practice 36 IHS Extra—Former Tech QB speaks at local elementary school Tyrod Taylor’s message to the kids was to set goals, pursue them, and never give up 38 Monogram Club News 40 Track and Field Spotlight—Deakin Volz Tech pole vaulter is not afraid to aim high, a trait that he comes across honestly 44 IHS Extra—Tech readying for ACC Network launc h The athletics department has invested $10 million into the project, which launches Aug. 22 16 36 14 40 20 22 44