Collin Gaj announced his commitment to Virginia Tech earlier this week via Instagram post.
We got the chance to talk to Gaj about the recruiting process and why he ultimately decided to commit to Virginia Tech.
firstly, what was your initial reaction to being offered a spot on the team?
Since the start of the recruitment process I was always super interested in Virginia Tech. When they showed interest back and offered me a spot on their team, I was incredibly grateful and excited. It meant a lot to me that they wanted me to be part of their future.
How do you hope to balance wrestling and academics?
School will always come first for me. I’d rather be on the mat than in a classroom, but being an athlete requires you to excel off the mat as well. Wrestling ends for everyone at some point so it’s important to set yourself up for success after sports as well.
What do you hope to get out of the college wrestling experience?
I want to achieve my goal of being an NCAA champ and to grow as an individual. I’m excited to take on the challenge of wrestling at a division 1 program and see where it can lead me in life.
What are you most excited about for your first season?
I can’t wait for my first year on campus. Im super excited to see how I match up against the high level of competition college wrestling holds. Im looking forward to being able to wrestle with the best guys in the country on a daily basis.
What has been the most rewarding thing about your wrestling career?
The friendships and bonds that come along with the sport. I’ve met some of my closest friends through the sport and have made friendships that will last a lifetime.
Collin Gaj is all set to bring his wrestling skills to Virginia Tech, and he couldn’t be more excited. When the offer from Virginia Tech came his way, Collin was over the moon, stating, “Since the start of the recruitment process I was always super interested in Virginia Tech. When they showed interest back and offered me a spot on their team, I was incredibly grateful and excited. It meant a lot to me that they wanted me to be part of their future.”
But Collin’s his priorities straight. He knows that academics and wrestling have to share the spotlight. School comes first for him, and he made it clear, saying, “School will always come first for me. I’d rather be on the mat than in a classroom, but being an athlete requires you to excel off the mat as well. Wrestling ends for everyone at some point, so it’s important to set yourself up for success after sports as well.”
When asked about what he’s looking forward to the most, Collin said that it’s stepping onto the campus and taking on the challenge of collegiate wrestling. The competition at the D1 level is fierce, and he’s excited to see how he measures up against the best in the country. In his own words, “I can’t wait for my first year on campus. I’m super excited to see how I match up against the high level of competition college wrestling holds. I’m looking forward to being able to wrestle with the best guys in the country on a daily basis.”
As for his wrestling career, it’s not just about wins and losses. Collin’s found something truly rewarding in the sport – the friendships and bonds he’s made along the way. He said, “The friendships and bonds that come along with the sport. I’ve met some of my closest friends through the sport and have made friendships that will last a lifetime.” With the Hokies, Collin Gaj is ready to chase his dream of becoming an NCAA champion and growing as a student and athlete. The future looks real bright for Collin Gaj.
