Slovenia

Athletic Accomplishments:

• Javelin, 700 g World Youth Champion 2013
• Javelin World Junior Championships Silver Medallist 2014
• Javelin European Junior Champion 2015
• European Junior Athlete of the Year 2015
• Ranked No. 1 Junior Javelin Thrower in the World 2015

Muhar is currently the top-ranked junior javelin thrower, hailing from Jesenice, Slovenia. He holds a personal best throw of 79.20 meters (259-10), a mark that secured his victory at the European Junior Championships held in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Associate Head Track and Field Coach Greg Jack on Muhar: “Matija is a winner. His talent is awesome, but his ability to win on a big stage is really what impresses me. He will continue the tradition of the Virginia Tech throwers before him that also share that quality. He has won at every level and will no doubt win at the NCAA level and beyond. Matija represents a huge part of where our program is headed in the future, as we continue to recruit and attract the very best young student athletes from around the world."

Muhar on Virginia Tech: "Virginia Tech provides me the best combination of academics, coaching and support. I cannot wait to start working with Coach Jack and my brother Jaka. Virginia Tech was clearly the best option for me to achieve all my goals!”

Ihab El Hajri

Iowa Western CC

Morocco

Athletic Accomplishments:

• 2015 junior college champion
• Seven-time Moroccan national champion
• 2013 gold medalist at the North African Championships
• 2012 silver medalist at the Arab Championships

A 2015 Junior College and seven-time Moroccan national triple jump champion, Ihab El Hajri joins the Hokies with three years of eligibility and a wealth of experience on the international stage. In 2013, El Hajri was the North African Championships gold medalist in the triple jump and in 2012 won the silver medal at the Arab Championships in the same event. In addition, El Hajri holds the Moroccan Youth triple jump record. His personal bests are 16.10 meters (52-10) in the triple jump and 7.55m (24-9.25) in the long jump.

Assistant Coach Paul Zalewski on El Hajri: “What I really like about Ihab El Hajri is that this young man just won’t quit. Every step of the way, he has been determined to come to Virginia Tech and has done absolutely everything asked of him to make that a reality. That kind of focus and drive is what you need if you’re going to be truly great. Combine that mentality with the tremendous talent he has, and you’ve got a special, special athlete. The ACC and the NCAA better watch out; the future is bright for this guy.”

El Hajri on Virginia Tech: “I want to come to Virginia Tech because they have a good business school and great facilities. The coaching staff has done so much to help me get to the US, and I cannot be more thankful to them. I wouldn’t be here without their help and I am excited to get to Virginia Tech and train.”