Gaj and Seidel bring youthful style to the Virginia Tech wrestling room

BLACKSBURG, Va. (Apr. 28, 2026) –Virginia Tech wrestling freshmen Aaron Seidel and Collin Gaj are making an early statement in Blacksburg, bringing an aggressive, high-confidence style to the mat that is reshaping the energy in the practice room and in competition. 

​

According to Hokie Sports, the duo marked the first time that two true freshmen claimed top eight honors for Tech since Caleb Henson in 2023. This signals not just individual success, but a glimpse into the program’s future.

​

Their approach is influenced by the success already established within the program. Seeing teammates reach the top of college wrestling has helped set a standard that the younger athletes are eager to match rather than admire from a distance.

​

“National champ, you know,” Virginia Tech 133 pound wrestler, Aaron Seidel said when speaking of his goal. “You’ve got guys in the room like Caleb Henson and Mekhi that won nationals. If they can do it, why can’t I?”

​

That mindset has quickly become a defining trait for the Hokies’ younger wrestlers. Rather than easing into collegiate competition, Seidel and Gaj have leaned into an aggressive style that emphasizes offense, pressure, and constant action.

​

“It’s not because guys are just better now,” Virginia Tech 149 pound wrestler, Collin Gaj said. “I think it’s just a confidence thing. Once you see some true freshman go win a national title, it’s why not me, why can’t I do that?”

​

That shift in mentality is showing up in how they wrestle. Instead of wrestling cautiously or focusing on simply surviving matches, the freshmen are pushing pace and forcing action from the opening whistle.

​

“Usually freshmen are kind of positional wrestlers and are trying to hold on, maybe trying to sneak a match,” Kellam High School wrestling coach, Tony Sansone said. “These guys just don’t care. They’re just going after it, and they’re throwing the kitchen sink with no regards.”

​

Coaches and teammates say that willingness to take risks has helped Seidel and Gaj stand out early in their careers, especially in a sport where hesitation can often define a young wrestler’s first season.

​

What stands out most, according to those around the program, is not just their aggression but the preparation behind it. Both wrestlers arrived in Blacksburg already equipped with the technical foundation and competitive mindset needed to transition quickly to the college level.

​

“What makes them stand out is just how prepared they were to hit the mats at such a young age,” Coach Sansone said.

​

That preparation has translated into opportunity. Seidel and Gaj have taken early chances in their freshman season and turned them into experience at the highest level of collegiate wrestling, earning spots in major competition and testing themselves against nationally ranked opponents.

​

Gaj and Seidel took the opportunities they were given and ran with them all the way to the national tournament, proving the kind of wrestlers they are during their very first year here in Blacksburg.

​

Inside the Virginia Tech wrestling room, their style has also influenced the training environment. Veterans and newcomers alike are adjusting to a faster, more relentless pace that reflects the freshmen’s approach.

​

“So they just have a style like they don’t respect their elders,” Coach Sansone said. “It is so fun to watch. It really makes for an exciting brand of wrestling.”

​

This reflects their fearless approach and highlights the confidence that has allowed both athletes to compete without hesitation in a program known for producing top-tier talent. 

​

Seidel and Gaj will continue to build on their early momentum and further establish themselves in the lineup. Their performances suggest that they are not just participating in the program’s future, but actively pushing it forward.

​

For Virginia Tech, their rise adds another layer to a program already built on national success. For the freshmen, it reflects a belief that they can build on their breakthrough season just as the champions before them have done.