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Hokie Flyer
Joined: 10/07/1999
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Hokie Flyer
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Of course. I wanted Catka to pull it off. True story...

Went to the Rutgers vs VT dual at Jersey Mike's and one of the Rutgers fans commented on Catka's physique as a true athletic heavy and I agreed. Little did I know..... The thread really isn't about any one opportunity or individual. I just do not see many examples of wrestlers trending up over their careers. They are the exception rather than the rule. I would not characterize this last season for Catka as a huge step forward, he admittedly did look better and had a nice run at NCAA's. The change probably did some good for him. Very few guys that do not AA get there in the last year or two. Certainly seems to be the case these days versus days of past. Thus, my suggestion that the high schoolers are coming along well before setting foot on a college mat more so than in the past. I mean McF, Carter, Mekhi, Henson, Seidel, Dance, Gaj were all good from the get go. I would like to see some examples of guys that didn't qualify or were 20+ ranked and then went on to "develop" into AA by their senior year.
Posted: 03/24/2026 at 07:02 PM ET
(In response to this post by 133966Hokie)

Thread Replies (47)

Full Thread →
An observation on development.
Hokie Flyer • 03/23/26 04:44 PM ET
Hunter Bolen
VTErnie • 03/26/26 03:18 PM ET
going to vehemently disagree here. coaches absolutely develop these guys
HokieToph • 03/24/26 11:40 AM ET
Examples?**
Hokie Flyer • 03/24/26 04:00 PM ET
Have wondered - Catka going to Rut
Jeffrey4VT • 03/24/26 04:23 PM ET
Um his best year was a So. % WL and he made RD12 with 3-2 at NCAAs.
Hokie Flyer • 03/24/26 05:15 PM ET
He did beat the #6 & #11 at NCAAT this year - believe those are
133966Hokie • 03/24/26 06:17 PM ET
Of course. I wanted Catka to pull it off. True story... ◄
Hokie Flyer • 03/24/26 07:02 PM ET
Two best examples I have are both rivals: Kasper and Macc
Jeffrey4VT • 03/25/26 03:20 PM ET
Those are two great stand outs especially Macch.
Hokie Flyer • 03/25/26 05:31 PM ET
Anytime buddy!
Jeffrey4VT • 03/25/26 09:05 PM ET
David Hoffman, Chris Diaz, Sal Mastriani to name a few VT guys.**
HokieToph • 03/25/26 11:33 AM ET
That was a while back. My post was about recent trends. Keep up.**
Hokie Flyer • 03/25/26 03:19 PM ET
Chris Penny**
emhokie • 03/24/26 07:53 PM ET
Data?**
Hokie Flyer • 03/24/26 08:57 PM ET
That’s from memory, which isn’t always 100% reliable **
emhokie • 03/24/26 10:34 PM ET
Looks like Chris made 6th in his Senior year in 2014
Hokie Flyer • 03/25/26 07:07 AM ET
Chris Penny
NYC2000 • 03/25/26 09:17 AM ET
Wow that is an impressive story and great example of development over time.**
Hokie Flyer • 03/25/26 09:54 AM ET
All good. Brainstorming off your last question…
133966Hokie • 03/24/26 07:10 PM ET
Haught was ranked in the top 10 by his 2nd year**
Palmetto Hokie • 03/24/26 09:51 PM ET
Decent examples.
Hokie Flyer • 03/24/26 07:16 PM ET
Cat was dragging that leg pretty good after the match!!**
wasris • 03/24/26 04:45 PM ET
Don’t forget that the difference between AA and 1-2 can boil down to
TartanHokie • 03/23/26 07:24 PM ET
Development
VTErnie • 03/23/26 07:04 PM ET
That would have been Coach Frank Teske**
94HokieME • 03/24/26 08:00 PM ET
Cheynet?**
emhokie • 03/23/26 07:53 PM ET
Cheynet didn't coach a bit ... just blew the whistle when it was time to
HokieToph • 03/24/26 11:23 AM ET
I am going to vehemently agree with this.**
Hokie Flyer • 03/24/26 04:00 PM ET
I will change my comment a little. He did roll with some of the guys
HokieToph • 03/24/26 04:45 PM ET
Probably Brands. **
GreenvilleVT • 03/23/26 09:13 PM ET
Nah
SCA Hokie • 03/24/26 12:35 PM ET
Lids aren’t fundamentally different nowadays
Mr McGibblets • 03/23/26 06:44 PM ET
Upper weight coaching change?
GreenvilleVT • 03/23/26 06:59 PM ET
I don't think we necessarily need a new coach but if I could pick...
donjfs3 • 03/23/26 08:29 PM ET
There are some very valid points here. I would add that our
TartanHokie • 03/23/26 07:38 PM ET
How about the Wyoming Heavy Coach.
133966Hokie • 03/23/26 07:55 PM ET
The 197 that Sasso majored? And Carroll was elite coming out of HS. **
TartanHokie • 03/24/26 02:10 PM ET
Yeah-Novak-the AA this year-got 4th only losing to Barr&Little (Champ&3rd)
133966Hokie • 03/24/26 04:21 PM ET
You’re right. They had a great weekend. But, is it fair to base coaching
TartanHokie • 03/24/26 04:57 PM ET
I’m certainly not basing it on just the weekend.
133966Hokie • 03/24/26 06:47 PM ET
Don’t really disagree with much here. I just wonder how much more is on
TartanHokie • 03/25/26 02:53 PM ET
Truth and I would add that....
Hokie Flyer • 03/24/26 07:32 PM ET
I'm fairness, Carroll was #2 in his class in HS. **
Nafeikoh • 03/24/26 10:13 AM ET
Wyoming's guy is a grad, and 10+ year assistant at Wyoming I think **
donjfs3 • 03/23/26 08:31 PM ET
Makes sense to me, FWIW…**
TomA • 03/23/26 06:28 PM ET
There is definitely some merit to this
donjfs3 • 03/23/26 06:14 PM ET
This is essentially true... it's more about toughness, heart, & discipline
Palmetto Hokie • 03/23/26 04:53 PM ET