Virginia Tech’s Aaron Seidel and Collin Gaj, both true freshmen, earned podium finishes at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland on March 21. Seidel secured third place in the 133-pound weight class, while Gaj finished fifth at 149 pounds. Their performances marked the first time since 2023 that two Virginia Tech freshmen placed in the top eight at the national tournament.
The achievements of Seidel and Gaj are significant for Virginia Tech wrestling, highlighting the program’s ability to develop young talent capable of competing at a high level. Both wrestlers faced tough competition but managed to defeat several higher-seeded opponents during their debut appearances.
Seidel, from Fredricksburg, Pennsylvania, joined the Hokies’ lineup late in the season after recovering from a broken hand suffered in September. He entered the NCAA Championships with a strong record and an Atlantic Coast Conference title. After advancing to the semifinals with three technical falls, Seidel lost to Oklahoma State’s Jax Forrest but rebounded with a major decision over Iowa’s Drake Ayala before defeating Penn State’s Marcus Blaze for third place.
Gaj also hails from Pennsylvania and took a different route to his podium finish. After winning his opening match but losing in the second round, he won five matches on the consolation side of the bracket. His victories included wins over NC State’s Koy Buesgens and Cornell’s Jaxon Joy. Gaj concluded his tournament by defeating Iowa’s Ryder Block for fifth place.
The results reflect positively on Virginia Tech’s wrestling program as it continues to produce standout athletes early in their collegiate careers. The success of Seidel and Gaj may signal continued competitiveness for Virginia Tech at future national tournaments.
