🌱 Two Hokies Chosen During WNBA Draft + VT Swimmer Reflects On Win

Hi all. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Wednesday started off right with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's going on in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and warm. High: 75 Low: 44.
• Thursday: Sunny and very warm. High: 79 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. For the first time, two Virginia Tech players were chosen in the same Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft. Kayana Traylor and Taylor Soule were both selected by different teams during Monday night's WNBA draft. Traylor was chosen by Chicago during the draft's second round, which made her the 11th pick out of 12 in the second round and the 23rd overall, trying with former teammate Aisha Sheppard for the honor of being the Hokies' highest WNBA draft pick. Meanwhile, Soule was picked up by Minnesota in the draft's third round. (Subscription: Roanoke Times)
2. Virginia Tech swimmer Youssef Ramadan recently spoke about his experience winning the NCAA Championship in the 100-yard butterfly at the end of March. Ramadan won the individual event with a 43.15 time to become the first to win an NCAA individual title for Virginia Tech's swim and dive program. Ramadan credits his experience in competing during the Tokyo Olympics during which he learned how to fail and how to enjoy challenges. Of the win and the program, Ramadan said, "I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been in VT. The staff and the team changed who I am, and to be able to be the first in VT history [swim and dive] to win a NCAA with VT on the cap means everything to me.” (WDBJ)
3. On Tuesday, Head Coach Mike Young of Virginia Tech's men's basketball team announced that the team has hired J.D. Byres as an assistant head coach for the team. Byres joins the team for what will be his 18th season as an assistant coach. His career includes experience at nearby Radford from 2011-2014. Young said of the hiring decision, "J.D. brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to us, in addition to a successful track record — everywhere he's been, the program has improved." (Hokies Sports)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Blacksburg:

Wednesday, April 12

• Blacksburg Farmers Market At Market Square Park (2:00 PM)
• Women's Wine Night At Gourmet Pantry (5:30 PM)
• On Tour! The Cayambis Sinfonietta At Unitarian Universalist Church (7:30 PM)

Thursday, April 13

• Jeep Club Meeting At Sal's Radford, Radford (6:30 PM)
• Neora Sip & Sample 2023 At University Club Of Virginia Tech (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• On the hunt for a new place to call home or simply interested in keeping an eye on the local housing market? To help in your search, here's a list of homes for sale in and around the Blacksburg area. (Blacksburg Patch)
• Curious about who's hiring? Check out this roundup of this week's newest job postings in the Blacksburg area. (Blacksburg Patch)
• Until we find a cure. Hokies showed their dedication to fighting back against cancer during this year's Relay For Life at Virginia Tech by raising $245,832 for the American Cancer Society. (Virginia Tech via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next update!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.