Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Virginia Tech wrestling head coach Tony Robie announced the single largest cash donation in program history – a $1 million philanthropic gift given by the generosity of Dave and Heidi Jester of Virginia Beach.
The transformational gift will support recruiting, staffing, facilities, and many other programmatic needs.
The Jesters’ gift includes a matching component, and Coach Robie is calling on everyone who supports Virginia Tech wrestling to join in. Whether contributions are made through the SERTC or the Hokie Club, the program’s goal is simple: match $1 million in support by May 2027. Every dollar donated to Virginia Tech Wrestling, either through the SERTC or the Hokie Club, will count towards the match.
New Hokie player
Mike Young and the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team announced the signing of 6-foot-9 forward Miles Heide, who recently finished his junior season at San Diego State averaged 3.7 points per game in 99 career games at SDSU, where he made 40 starts.
This past season, Heide started all but one of the Aztecs’ games, scoring a career-high 5.6 points per game on efficient 61.5% shooting from the floor. He also pulled down 4.5 rebounds per game.
Eight All-ACC
Bree Carrico was tabbed ACC Freshman of the Year as eight Hokies garnered All-ACC honors, the league office announced this past week.
Carrico and Jordan Lynch join forces on this year’s All-ACC First Team. Tech also combined for six selections on the All-ACC Second Team: Kylie Aldridge, Nora Abromavage, Rachel Castine, Michelle Chatfield, Addison Foster and Emma Mazzarone.
All-ACC honorees are voted on based on conference stats only. Tech has earned eight or more All-ACC selections for the third time under head coach Pete D’Amour.
Bree Carrico is the fourth Hokie in program history to garner ACC Freshman of the Year and just the second pitcher (Emma Lemley, 2022). She was phenomenal in her rookie campaign with a 1.93 conference ERA that ranked third among pitchers.
Jordan Lynch shined for the Hokies in ACC play with her .402 average. The first-time First Team honoree recorded a team-high 35 hits, 10 home runs and a .839 slugging percentage over 24 starts at third base.
Shining in her sophomore season, Nora Abromavage hit .371 over 24 starts at left field with eight home runs, 23 RBIs and a team-high 18 walks for a .500 on-base percentage to earn Second Team honors.
Kylie Aldridge garners a consecutive Second Team All-ACC honor with a .382 average at 24 starts as the catcher/designated player.
A veteran in the middle infield, Rachel Castine posted a career-best .400 average in ACC play this year. It marks the first All-ACC honor for Castine.
Michelle Chatfield is three-for-three with the third All-ACC honor of her career. The Second Team honoree recorded a team-high 30 RBIs along with a .380 average and eight home runs over 24 starts at first base.
Addison Foster paved the way for the Hokies from the leadoff spot as she hit a team-best .444 in ACC play. The Lockport, Ill., native recorded a league-best 12 doubles in conference play and tied the single-season doubles record with her 18th double of the year
Emma Mazzarone, the two-time ACC Pitcher of the Week this season (March 24, March 31), earned her third consecutive All-ACC honor. The Second Team selection went 10-3 with a 3.22 ERA in conference play. Her 85 strikeouts in ACC play ranks second among pitchers.
New volleyball coach
The Radford University volleyball program and head coach Savanna Hammond announced Monday morning that Jacob Craig will be joining the team as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2026 Fall season.
Craig joins the Highlanders after spending last season as the interim men’s volleyball head coach at Lincoln Memorial. With the Railsplitters, he guided the program to a 17-6 record and Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (IVA) regular season championship and eighth consecutive conference tournament title.
In the year prior, Craig was assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Lincoln Memorial’s men’s volleyball squad and helped guide the team to a 24-1 record, regular season championship and tournament championship.
