first, who does he have to work out with and push him in the room? There isn't much depth for him to really improve against. This does not imply in anyway that Bolen doesn't work hard. Absolutely he does. He has the strength, but his arsenal hasn't grown. I think some folks figured him out and he hasn't been able to adjust accordingly

Second, I don't see him on the freestyle circuits at all which is where the top guys get better and refine their skills. Training in the offseason is one thing. Training and competing in the offseason is a different beast.

Third, I think Covid may have impacted his desire at some level. He came out of a red-shirt season in 18/19 and had a successful run in 19/20 only to lose out on the canceled NCAAs. I'm not a psychiatrist, but training for 2 years and not to be able to wrestle in the NCAAs has to eat away at your desire somewhat. That's two years of cutting weight, lifting, working out, school, virtual school ... it adds up.

Bottom line, I'm glad he is a hokie and have enjoyed watching him wrestle. It's tough to let something go that you've done for a long time and been very, very good at. If he has decided to move on then good for him for being able to make that decision.