On today’s episode, Kendal sits down with Allie George, a junior on the Virginia Tech women’s soccer team! Allie grew up in a very competitive family with two older brothers and both parents having played a D1 sport. She says that this really inspired her to work hard and chase her dream of becoming a D1 soccer player herself! After a long and challenging recruiting process, Allie ended up here in Blacksburg and I know we couldn’t be happier that she did! She shares her message through this was that everything happens for a reason, and that it’s important to trust that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. As her junior year regular season closes out, Allie says that she’s not looking too far into the future of next season. She tells us that she wants to make sure she stays present in the moment and make even more amazing memories here in her last lap as a Hokie!

On today's episode, Kendal talks with Welnilton Da Silva Jr (better known as Junior!) from the Virginia Tech men's soccer team! Growing up in Para, Brazil, Junior shares his story about he ultimately ended up here in Blacksburg. He's been a four-year player for the Hokies and has captained the team for the past two years. This year has looked a bit different for him though, as he sustained an injury earlier in the season forcing him to take on a different role on the sidelines. But, he's been keeping a positive outlook on the situation and says that he is just happy to be able to be there for his team! As they head into their last week of the regular season, Junior is hoping to make his return to the field as he closes out his career as a Hokie!

On the first episode of season two, Kendal sits down with Dax & Jack Hollifield from the Virginia Tech football team! Dax, a former linebacker for Virginia Tech, and Jack, a current center for the Hokies, have always had a special bond. Growing up in Shelby, North Carolina, both of them were fortunate enough to be highly recruited players out of high school. Since Dax had already chosen to be a Hokie a few years prior, when it came time for Jack to decide where he wanted to spend his next 4 years, it was a pretty easy choice! Jack dives a bit deeper into what this season has been like for Virginia Tech and what they’re looking forward to as the season continues, and Dax tells us about his newest endeavor down in Charlotte, North Carolina as a pit crew member for Hendrick Motorsports! It’s hard not to love the bond between these two brothers and how they both carry so much pride in being Hokies! 

This week, Kendal sits down with Virginia Tech men’s tennis player and Blacksburg native Frank Thompson to hear about his story about what growing up in Blacksburg was like! Being the son of the head coach of the tennis team, Frank grew up cheering for the Hokies in Blacksburg and said being around the team from such a young age really helped shape him into the player he is today. As a top recruit in the mid-Atlantic region and a very bright student, Frank had many Ivy League schools reaching out to him during his recruiting process. But, he ultimately decided to stay home in Blacksburg and play for his dad and the Hokies! Frank talks about the dynamic of being a coach’s son and how his relationship with his dad has been such a special part of his life. He also talks about how important it’s been to him to be able to give back to his hometown since he’s become a collegiate athlete himself. 

Listen to Frank’s full story here on Episode Five of Start Jumping!

This week, Kendal talks with Virginia Tech sophomore softball star Emma Lemley to hear about her story to becoming a standout sensation for the Hokies! Growing up just an hour and a half from Tech, Emma had committed to play as a Hokie in the eighth grade. But, when NCAA recruiting rules changed and Virginia Tech hired new softball coaches, Emma had to start over from square one of her recruiting process. Fortunately, it’s fair to say all roads lead home, because she ended up right back where she wanted to be in Blacksburg, and she sure has made her mark! As a freshman, she earned numerous All-ACC honors and took home the Virginia Tech Gobbler Award for Rookie of the Year. Heading into this season following her phenomenal freshman campaign, Emma shares that she has been fortunate enough to step into a leadership role, and is very fortunate for the bond she shares with her teammates.

Listen to Emma’s full story here on Episode Four of Start Jumping!

On this week’s episode, Kendal sits down with sophomore baseball superstar Drue Hackenberg to hear about his life growing up in a very athletic family and how that motivated him to become a Division I athlete at Virginia Tech! The Hackenberg name carries quite the legacy with it, as Drue’s three older brothers all excelled tremendously as collegiate athletes and each went on to be drafted by professional teams in their respective sports. Drue shares that growing up in that atmosphere inspired him to want to pursue a successful career in baseball, and he knew Virginia Tech was going to be the best place for him to do so. After a standout freshman campaign with a veteran-led team last year, Drue tells us that he has been fortunate enough to be able to fulfill a leadership role for the younger squad this season. As the Hammerin’ Hokies head into their last few series of their regular season, Drue is excited to watch his teammates succeed and help lead them to a memorable run in the postseason. 

Listen to Drue's full story here on Episode Three of Start Jumping!

This week, Kendal sits down with John Camden, a redshirt freshman on the Hokies Men's Basketball Team, to hear about his journey to becoming a Division I basketball player at Virginia Tech! Growing up in an athletic family, John knew he always had a passion for basketball and wanted to pursue it at the collegiate level. After sustaining numerous injuries in high school and before heading into college, as well as entering the transfer portal after his freshman year at Memphis, John has learned many valuable lessons about facing adversity and how to overcome some of life’s toughest battles. Through all of his setbacks, his greatest piece of advice he shares is to take everything day by day and to approach one thing at a time. 

Listen to John’s full story here on Episode Two of Start Jumping!

On today's first episode, Kendal sits down with Emma Inch, a senior on the Hokies Swim & Dive team, to hear about her story of how she ultimately landed in Blacksburg! The light and sunshine of Virginia Tech Athletics, Emma’s contagious energy and kindness are known and adored by all of those around her. After a difficult start to her collegiate swimming career and a challenging personal experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, she assures that without going through her hardships, she would have never been so lucky to end up at Virginia Tech.

Listen to Emma’s full story here on Episode One of Start Jumping!