GREENSBORO, N.C. – Virginia Tech redshirt junior Jared Haught has been named the 2017 ACC Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year and is one of four Hokies on the All-ACC Academic Team, the conference announced Monday.
Haught, a mechanical engineering major from Parkersburg, West Virginia, finished fourth nationally in the 197-pound weight class at this year’s NCAA Wrestling Championship. A two-time All-American, Haught was this year’s ACC Champion at 197.
He led Tech to both an unbeaten ACC regular season and to the Hokies’ third ACC Wrestling Championship as well as a sixth-place national finish at the NCAA Championship. Haught becomes just the second Virginia Tech wrestler to be honored as the ACC’s Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year, joining former Hokie All-American Devin Carter (2013-14).
“With all of the great academic institutions and student-athletes in the ACC, it is a tremendous honor for Jared to be named ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year,” said Virginia Tech head coach Tony Robie. “His dedication in the classroom and on the wrestling mat are truly second to none. We are lucky to have Jared and his leadership in our program. He exemplifies what it really means to be a student-athlete.”
The ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were established in September 2007 to be awarded annually to the top junior or senior student-athlete in their respective sports. Candidates for the awards must have maintained a 3.0 grade point average for their career as well as a 3.0 for each of the last two semesters.
Haught posted an overall record of 28-4 in 2017, tying senior Joey Dance for the most wins on the team. He was a runner-up at the 2016 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and went 5-0 in ACC duals. His lone loss in regular season duals came against eventual national champion J’Den Cox of Missouri.
Tech tied for the second-most All-ACC Academic Team selections with four. Joining Haught was redshirt sophomore Solomon Chishko, redshirt sophomore Zack Zavatsky and redshirt junior Zach Epperly. Haught (197), Chishko (149), Epperly (174) and Zavatsky (184) were all 2017 ACC champions.
To be eligible for All-ACC Academic Team consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a minimum 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a minimum 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career
Haught is making his third appearance on the All-ACC Academic Wrestling team, having been chosen in 2015 and 2016. Chishko and Zavatsky are making their second appearance on the team, having been honored in 2016 as well.
ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year
Jared Haught (R-Jr., 197, Mechanical Engineering)
All-ACC Academic Team (Virginia Tech)
**Solomon Chishko (R-So., 149, Packaging Systems Design)
Zach Epperly (R-Jr., 174, Real Estate)
***Jared Haught (R-Jr., 197, Mechanical Engineering)
**Zack Zavatsky (R-So., 184, Packaging Systems Design)
** - Two-time honoree
*** - Three-time honoree