Hokies sign best-ranked recruiting class everHokies sign best-ranked recruiting class ever
Wrestling

Hokies sign best-ranked recruiting class ever

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech wrestling secures its highest recruiting class ranking ever by signing six nationally ranked prospects this week. Tech is one of two schools with three signees in the top-30 on FloWrestling's Class of 2019 Big Board.
 
Head Coach Tony Robie and his staff surpass their No. 4 ranking from last season, which was tied for their highest ever with 2013's class. The Hokies sign three wrestlers from Pennsylvania, two from New Jersey and one from Virginia.
 
"We are incredibly excited to welcome a new class of Hokie wrestlers to Virginia Tech," Robie said. "Our staff has put in a lot of work building strong relationships with every one of these young men and their families. This day has been a long time in the making and we are proud to have them join our family here in Blacksburg.
 
"I think both from a talent and character standpoint, the bar has been raised with this class.  Time will ultimately tell us how we did but I can tell you that I feel as good about this class as any in my time here in Blacksburg."
 
Virginia Tech 2019 Recruiting Class (In order of national rank by FloWrestling)
 
#7 Hunter Catka – Brookhaven, Pennsylvania (Sun Valley)
 
Catka is the seventh-ranked prospect nationally and the top-ranked wrestler in the heavyweight division. He was the 2018 Pennsylvania State Champion and finished third at the 2019 state tournament. Catka is a member of the 2019 Cadet World Team and won the title at the Super 32.
 
Robie on Catka:
 
"Hunter's got a very high wrestling IQ. It's one of the things I like about him. He's a great learner, he understands wrestling, he's a student of the sport. I think that's one of his biggest assets, his ability to learn skills and implement them into his game."
 


 
#23 Clayton Ulrey – Grantville, Pennsylvania (L. Dauphin)
 
Ulrey is the fourth-ranked prospect in the 170-pound weight class. He's finished in the top-five at the Pennsylvania state tournament twice, including a second place finish last year. Like Catka, Ulrey is a member of the 2019 Cadet World Team and was a Super 32 Place Winner.
 
Robie on Ulrey:
 
"I love Clayton's motor, love his style of wrestling. He attacks and attacks and attacks. He's going to go out there and try to beat guys bad. He's going to go out and get to their legs and try to score six, seven, eight takedowns a match. I really like that style."
 


 
#29 Sammy Hillegas – Glenshaw, Pennsylvania (North Hills)
 
Hillegas, the third signee from Pennsylvania, is the eighth-ranked wrestler in the 138-pound weight class. He's a two-time Pennsylvania state champion and is 119-2 in his high school career entering his senior year. Hillegas won the title at the Powerade Wrestling Tournament and was a Super 32 Place Winner
 
Robie on Hillegas:
 
"From the top position, Sam is as good as anyone in the country. He's elite from the top position. He can not only ride, but he turns, and he pins a lot of guys. For a college wrestling coach, that's huge."
 


 
#47 Eddie Ventresca – Landing, New Jersey (Pope John)
 
Ventresca, from Pope John High School in New Jersey, is the sixth-ranked prospect in the 126-pound division. He won the 2019 New Jersey state championship at the 120-pound weight class. Ventresca is a three-time Beast of the East place winner.
 
Robie on Ventresca:
 
"Eddie's a great athlete. The kid can move. He's got great feet, he's explosive. Wrestling-wise, he's got the ability to score a lot of points. From a style standpoint, I like the style of wrestling he brings to the table."
 


  
#70 Sam Fisher – Marshall, Virginia (Faquier)
 
Fisher, the lone in-state recruit of the class, is the sixth-ranked prospect in the 195-pound weight class. Fisher was a place winner at the Super 32.
 
Robie on Fisher:
 
"We were pretty sold on Sam just in terms of his work ethic. I've seen him work; I've seen him practice. He's a high effort, high intensity, high output guy."
 


 
#116 Brandon Green – Paulsboro, New Jersey (Paulsboro)
 
Green, the last in the class to sign, is the 116th-ranked high school prospect by FloWrestling. Green is a New Jersey state champion.
 
Robie on Green:
 
"Brandon starting to coming to camp at Virginia Tech with his HS team about 4 years ago.  I really think that's when the seed was planted for him in regards to becoming a Hokie.  He is a very talented wrestler who did his best wrestling last season in his NJ state finals match.  He is still a little raw and has all kinds of upside."