VT has made so many strides in the right direction under Dresser and Robie, and I agree that money through SERTC and directed donations is critical. The money allows us to have international level coaches/training partners like Frayer, Molinaro and Walz, which is essential.

The Hokies also became much more attractive to higher ranked recruits once they consistently moved into the top ten, and then the podium finish two season ago. Having numerous AAs every year - the level the team has reached now - is also crucial. Top wrestlers want to go to a program and know that the coaches and their teammates will help them maximize their talent so they can make AA. There are a bunch of programs (Maryland and Pitt, for example) where that just isn't happening. Incredibly talented guys go in and then never seem to reach their potential.

Other than a team National Championship - which is probably still a ways off - one thing that is achievable and is a notable omission from the team's resume is an individual National Championship. The top 5 per weight in HS all have that aspiration, and like the top 10 types wanting to know that they can AA here, the top 5 types want to see that VT can produce individual NCs.

This is one thing that is somewhat within the team's control by recruiting and coaching well, and having a bunch of guys right on the cusp, competing in the top 3 range: like Walz and Haught. But it may also take a bit of luck or perfect circumstances to have one of our top 3 guys break through and get that first place finish. I still think back a few years to Walz' semi-final match against Kyle Snyder. Ty wrestled him as well as anyone and Snyder won by the slimmest margin. Ty had the talent and drive to be a NC, but fate put a once-in-a-generation talent like Snyder in his path (plus GWiz, who was no slouch either).

Getting that first individual NC would be huge for the program, and we have guys in the room who could do it. Haught, McFadden, maybe Mekhi Lewis in a couple years.