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Wrestling

Hokies rein in top-five recruiting class

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech wrestling head coach Tony Robie announced the signing of six nationally ranked prospects on Wednesday, marking the third top-five ranking class in five years and the fifth top-10 ranking class in as many years for the Hokies with Robie at the helm.
 
Robie and staff sign six state champions along with other national and international accolades to their names. The Hokies sign two wrestlers from Pennsylvania, one from Virginia, one from New Jersey, one from Tennessee, and one from Indiana.
 
"We are incredibly excited about this incoming class and the competitive spirit they bring to the table. These guys crave competition and being the best at their craft, which is why they will continue to elevate this program to the next level," said Hokies wrestling associate head coach Jared Frayer.
 
Virginia Tech 2023 Recruiting Class
 
#8 Jimmy Mullen – Kearny, New Jersey (St. Joe's Regional)
 
Mullen is the sixth-ranked pound-for-pound prospect, eighth-ranked in the graduating class, and top-ranked wrestler in the heavyweight division. Mullen signs to wrestle and suit up for the Hokies on the gridiron. He is a two-time New Jersey State Champion and a three-star defensive end. In addition, Mullen has wrestled on the world stage where he was a United World Wrestling Cadet Silver Medalist.


 
Robie on Mullen:
"Jimmy is your rare two-sport athlete who plans on playing football and wrestling for the Hokies. Growing up in North Jersey and attending St. Joe's Regional HS, he is battle tested in both sports. He plays in one of the top HS football leagues in the nation and will keep the pipeline of great NJ wrestlers in Blacksburg alive. A Cadet World Silver Medalist and multiple time NJ state champ, he is one of the top overall ranked wrestlers in the class of 2023. Jimmy is a tremendous athlete and an even better kid. He is not your typical HWT – he moves like a little guy. He will be fun to watch."
 

#17 Mac Church – Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (Waynesburg HS)
 
Church is the third-ranked prospect in the 138-pound weight class and seventh overall in the Class of 2023 Big Board. He finished third at the Pennsylvania state tournament his freshman season before claiming the title in his sophomore and junior seasons. Church won a Super 32 title in 2019 and has finished top-three at prestigious tournaments Powerade, Fargo, and Ironman since the start of his high school career.


 
Robie on Church:
"Mac committed to Virginia Tech early in the process. He and his parents have been on campus several times over the course of the last year. We feel like we know Mac Very well at this point and know exactly what he's about. His commitment to the sport and work ethic are at an elite level. He has established himself as the best wrestler in the state of Pennsylvania the last two years, as well as, one of the best in the country. Hard to know exactly what weight Mac will end up at as he is still growing but we are very excited that he's joining the program and are lucky to have him. He has all the attributes required to be an elite college wrestler and strives for excellence in every area of his life."


#30 Hunter Mason – Greeneville, Tennessee (Greeneville HS)
 
Mason signs to the Hokies as a three-time Tennessee State Champion and is ranked fifth at 138-pounds. Mason has collected All-American finishes at Fargo, Beast of the East, and Super 32. Mason is on track to become Tennessee's second four-time state champion as he enters his senior campaign.


 
Robie on Mason:
"Hunter will join Cooper Flynn as another blue-chip recruit from the Volunteer state. I think Hunter likely projects at 141-pounds. He has a lot of success nationally at the HS level which isn't easy to do when you come from Tennessee. He is a powerful guy with incredible physical strength. Hunter is really good in all three positions and has great defense. He's a dangerous wrestler with the ability to throw guys to their backs several different ways. I expect Hunter to score a lot of falls for the Hokies and make an impact early in his career."
 

#38 Sonny Sasso – Nazareth, Pennsylvania (Nazareth HS)
 
Sasso, the second signee from Pennsylvania, is the tenth-ranked wrestler in the 195-pound weight class. He's a two-time state placer, finishing with the title in his junior season. Sasso is a Fargo finalist and Pennsylvania Freestyle Champion as well as one of the best quarterbacks in the state. Sasso hails from one of the best wrestling areas in the nation that has produced numerous national mainstays.


 
Robie on Sasso:
"Sonny has wrestling in his blood. He has learned under one of the top HS coaches (Dave Crowell) in the country and has grown up competing in one of the most competitive wrestling areas (Lehigh Valley) in the world. Sonny is also a great HS quarterback at Nazareth HS. I think the thing we like most about Sonny is his competitive spirit and leadership skills. If stuff hits the fan, you want Sonny Sasso on your side. When he commits to wrestling year around, it's scary to think about how much he can develop. I think Hokie fans will love watching Sonny in maroon and orange."
 

#83 Logan Frazier – Crown Point, Indiana (Crown Point HS)
 
Frazier signs as the 17th-ranked wrestler at 126-pounds with an Indiana state title to his name. Frazier is a two-time Indiana state placer and is a Fargo finalist.


 
Robie on Frazier:
"Logan is a tremendous athlete with a lot of talent. I think that in the right environment Logan has a chance to develop into a very good college wrestler. Logan will likely wrestle 133-pounds. I know that he is excited for the challenge of representing Virginia Tech, the opportunity to train with some great lightweights and committing himself to what's required to excel at this level."

 
#88 Rafael Hipolito, Jr. – Manaus, Brazil (Independence Day HS, Virginia)
 
Hipolito closes out the stellar recruiting class for the Hokies. He ranks seventh at 160-pounds and 88th-ranked in the Class of 2023. Hipolito burst onto the scene rather late after an eye-opening Junior season where he picked up a second Virginia state title, NHSCA title, and a fourth-place Fargo finish. He also adds an Alabama state title to his resume from his freshman year in just his second year of wrestling. Hipolito is also notably a multiple-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion and is one of the best in his division.


 
Robie on Hipolito:
"Although he has only been wrestling for a few years, Rafael has established himself as one of the best wrestlers in the country. His background as a world class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor has made the transition to wrestling relatively easy for him. He is a tremendous athlete who knows how to compete and win. Rafael's upside is off the charts. We believe that in the right environment he has a chance to be an elite college wrestler; you just can't teach some of the skills that he has."