Virginia Tech says the Hitman leads 'one last time'
Virginia Tech's season teaser says the Hitman leads the Hokies one last time and nobody has explained it. Plus Flo's first WNO pairings and Pyles defending Henson at fourth.
Big news
Virginia Tech video: the Hitman leads the Hokies 'one last time'
Virginia Tech's 'One Final Mission' teaser says Mission 2026-2027 drops tomorrow and 'The Hitman is back to lead the squad one last time.' The full One Mission at a Time video followed a day later and adds nothing on what 'one last time' means, and nobody from the program has clarified. Christian Pyles posted that the Hitman keeps receipts, then said the Hokies gave @rader_jd his own bulletin board material.
The Hitman is back to lead the squad one last time.
The Hitman keeps receipts
Looks like they went and gave @rader_jd his own bulletin board material
Why it matters: Our take: if 'one last time' means what it sounds like, this is the Hokies' final season under the Hitman, and that lands on the Blacksburg roster and every recruit weighing Virginia Tech right now.
- Whether Virginia Tech says anything official about the Hitman's status beyond the video.
Results and matchups
Flo's first WNO matches: O'Farrill-Aquila at 175, Sanchez-Sidun, Kenny-Burnett, Romero-Crosson
Per Justin Basch, Flo's Who's Number One announcements so far are #1 Sammy Sanchez vs #2 Landon Sidun, #2 Paul Kenny vs #1 Grey Burnett, #1 Michael Romero vs #2 Mac Crosson and #1 Jayden O'Farrill vs #2 Zack Aquila. The one Flo has posted with a weight is 175, U17 World teamer O'Farrill against Fargo champ Aquila.
This one could get WILD! U17 World teamer Jayden O’Farrill and Fargo champ Zack Aquila are set for Who’s Number One at 175 lbs!
Why it matters: Four 1 vs 2 matchups at the top of the high school rankings, and 175 puts a U17 World teamer against a Fargo champ.
- The rest of the WNO card as Flo announces it.
Takes and analysis
Pyles defends Flo ranking Henson fourth at 149 against Hokie pushback
Tass Robertson said Flo has Henson fourth at 149 despite a US Open runner-up finish and called it disrespectful. Pyles' answer: Sergio Vega is an undefeated NCAA champ with a win over Jesse Mendez, Valencia is the returning champ, Shayne Van Ness beat Henson the last time they wrestled, and Henson's NCAA title was in 2024. Pyles added that Flo does not factor freestyle into folkstyle rankings, only NCAA results, then posted What if Sergio stayed at 141? and said it would shock him.
Sergio Vega is an undefeated NCAA champ with a win over Jesse Mendez. Valencia is the returning champ.
What if Sergio stayed at 141?
Why it matters: Robertson says Vega is up a weight. Our take: if that holds, 149 stacks three NCAA champs in Vega, Valencia and Henson plus Van Ness, and if Vega stays at 141, Henson's path clears and 141 gets a lot heavier.
- Where Vega lands, 141 or 149, when Oklahoma State sets its lineup. Flo asked the same day who starts for the Cowboys and whether weight changes are coming.
Quick hits
Nomad asks whether RAF knew about VTB sanctions before Moscow deal
The Wrestling Nomad posted three questions on RAF's Moscow event: was RAF aware of the VTB sanctions when it agreed to the deal, if so why agree, and if not how were they unaware. He says the stream communication is a fraction of the issue. The thread became a long argument with @Wisc_dad, @MOBriguo, @4_4s_Im_Tippin, @wilsonkanaday and @Mougggggggg, with Nomad holding that RAF must replace Worlds and the Olympics to be a long term success and asking whether the Fox/FS1 commercials are driven by Murdoch or paid for by RAF.
Four US Greco-Roman athletes head to Valamar Cup in Poreč next weekend
USA Wrestling announced four Team USA Greco-Roman athletes will compete at the Valamar Cup in Poreč, Croatia, next weekend. The post does not name them.
Flo posts preseason top 10 at 285
FloWrestling put out its preseason top 10 at 285 and asked who wins heavyweight this year. The full rankings sit at the link in Flo's bio, not in the post.
InterMat: notable coaching jobs still open into September
InterMat says plenty of notable coaching positions remain open into September even as others get filled. The rundown covers which is which.