World Team Member #6 Clayton Ulrey Commits to Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech head coach Tony Robie is going all in on Pennsylvania. A 1992 graduate of Strong Vincent High School in Erie, PA – Robie has managed to secure three of the top ten recruits in Pennsylvania’s Class of 2020 Rankings. On Sunday, #6 Clayton Ulrey (Lower Dauphin) announced on Twitter that he will be a Hokie.
I am super excited to announce that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career at Virginia Tech! Very thankful for the opportunity. #thisishome #gohokies pic.twitter.com/L5hcRd3XW6
— Clayton Ulrey (@clayton_ulrey) September 29, 2019
Ulrey, a 2019 Pennsylvania State Finalist, joins 2-time PIAA State Champion #2 Sam Hillegas (North Hills) and 2018 PIAA State Champion #7 Hunter Catka (Sun Valley). Robie, who is entering his third season as the head coach of Virginia Tech, is no stranger to the Keystone State. He was third in the State twice while at Strong Vincent and would go on to Edinboro where he was a 2-time NCAA All-American, finishing fifth and second.
For Ulrey, his trajectory has gone sky high following a junior season that saw him earn his first trip to the State finals and second overall State medal. He won a 2019 FloNationals title in April and followed that up by making his first ever Cadet World Freestyle team. At the 2019 Cadet World Championships, in Sofia, Bulgaria, he went 2-2 at 80 kilograms.
Ulrey was methodical in his recruiting process, taking all five of his official visits including stops at Drexel, West Virginia, N.C. State and Oklahoma State.
“I took all five of my visits and it was really just the fact that Virginia Tech felt right. I felt like the coach’s really care about me and my success there and will help me get to the next level to the best of my ability,” Ulrey stated on Sunday.
Blacksburg, VA was the final stop on his tour and once there, Ulrey knew it was right for him.
“I liked every single school a lot. They all had a lot to offer me and I could’ve seen myself going to any of them until I took my last official to Virginia Tech and I knew it was right for me.”
According to Ulrey, it doesn’t hurt to have a few Pennsylvania guys heading there as well. He and Hunter Catka were both on the 2019 Cadet World Team together and he and Hillegas are both club members of the PAWN.
“Having Hillegas and Catka in that class definitely made the decision easier because they both are really hard workers and like to get better.”