Photo courtesy of VT Athletics- Former Christiansburg wrestler Hunter Bolen, right, this week was recognized as the state’s collegiate wrestler of the year.
After a stellar sophomore season, Virginia Tech wrestler Hunter Bolen, who wrestled in high school for the Christiansburg Blue Demons, was named the Virginia Wrestler of the Year as announced Thursday by the Virginia Sports Information Directors.
Bolen had a breakout campaign in 2019-20 when he went 24-2 on the season that was capped off with the 184-pound ACC Championship and his being named the No. 2 seed at the 2020 NCAA championships. The Christiansburg native ended the season ranked No. 1 in the country by InterMat.
This is the second VaSID honor for Bolen after he was named Rookie of the Year following the 2017-18 season.
David McFadden, a redshirt senior Hokie wrestler from West Milford, N.J., also earned honors Thursday when he joined Bolen on the All-State First Team. McFadden ended his illustrious career in maroon and orange after a 21-5 season. He 107-22 in his career, becoming just the 13th Hokie to reach 100 career wins.
Joining Bolen and McFadden on the 2020 VaSID wrestling All-State First Team with their weight class and the school they wrestled for were Jack Mueller, 125 lbs., Virginia; Levi Englman, 133 lbs., Ferrum; Brandon Woody, 141 lbs., Averete; Colston Diblasi, 149, George Mason; Larry Early, 157 lbs., Old Dominion; Neal Richards, 174 lbs., VMI; Jay Aiello, 197 lbs., Virginia; and Nico Ramirez, 285, Southern Virginia.
Bolen wrestled at 184 lbs. for the Hokies while McFadden took the mats at 165 lbs.
In other awards announced by the athletic directors, George Moseley of Averett was named the Rookie of the Year, and Nathan Shearer of Washington and Lee was named the Coach of the Year.
