Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Christiansburg’s Lou Rawlings, the Class 3 state diving champ, has committed to continue his swimming career at Virginia Tech.
Rawlings holds the Class 3 high school 11- dive record and the six-dive record at Christiansburg High School. He signed his letter of intent this past week in the school’s gymnasium in front of family, friends, coaches and teammates.
In addition, he was a 2025 AAU platform national champion, a 3-Meter national champion, was named to the 2205 AAU National Team, a 2025 USA Diving Zone A Platform Champion, a USA Diving Junior National Bronze Medalist for Synchronized Platform and was named #9 Men’s NCAA Diving recruit in Class of 2026 by SwimSwam.
Ryan Hawkins, who is the dive coach at Virginia Tech, has served as Rawlings’ club swim coach, thus leading the high school senior to an easier decision. Both teams also practice and swim at the Christiansburg Aquatics Center.
“Blacksburg and Christiansburg have always been home to me. I went to preschool at the lab school on campus, so I already knew everything Virginia Tech had to offer. But I also chose VT because of the coaching staff. Ryan Hawkins was my club coach. So, I know his style, and we have a great relationship,” Rawlings said.
Virginia Tech diving has posted 15 All-American Honors throughout program history and 14 Honorable Mention All-American Honors. During their time in the ACC, the Hokie divers have taken home 11 individual ACC medals.
Rawlings hopes to improve as a diver, stay strong academically, and learn the skills he will need to help people recover and stay healthy so they can reach their goals.
“Obviously, scoring points for the Hokies is my initial goal. I’m hoping to make it to the ACC Championship my first year and eventually make the cut for the NCAA Championship,” he said.
Rawlings plans to major in Health and Exercise Science in preparation for graduate school to become a Physical Therapist. He will compete in 1m and 3m springboard and also platform diving.
His long-term goal includes graduate school. “So, it was also important for me to choose an academically strong school to help prepare me to get into grad school. I feel like VT checked all my boxes,” he said.
