Let's Talk Wrestling (With Host Kelby Bachman)

Cruse is from Cedar Rapids, IA, where he was a 2x state placewinner for CR Kennedy. It all culminated his senior year, when Cruse won a 3A state title at 103 lbs. and became the #1 ranked 103 pounder in the nation. He chose to attend UNI, where he cracked the lineup as a senior. Cruse is now the head coach at Immortal Athletics Wrestling Club where he not only wants to prepare kids to win on the mat, but he also prepares them to win in life. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Cruse Aarhus!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Cheyne grew up in La Porte City, Iowa, and wrestled along with his brothers Nick and Brock. He had success early on, placing at Tulsa Nationals and AAU state. He qualified for state as a freshman and placed 8th as a senior. We also chat about the time he went out for basketball. Cheyne now lives in Indianapolis and is the Director of Communications for the Indianapolis Indians. He is also an Assistant Wrestling Coach for Bishop Chatard High School. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Cheyne Reiter!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Todd is from Gilbertville, Iowa and wrestled for the Don Bosco Dons. He was a 3x state qualifier and finished as a state champion as a senior. Todd started his college career at Iowa State before transferring to Wartburg, a place he now calls home, and ended up being a national qualifier for the Knights. Todd is now an assistant coach for Wartburg and his team is gearing up to make a run this weekend at DIII nationals in La Crosse, WI. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Todd Becker!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Joe went to Shawnee Mission East High School and was a 2x Kansas state champion. He went on to wrestle for the University of Iowa and was a 2x All-American, placing 2nd and 6th. Joe actually started his coaching career as an assistant at Cornell College before joining the Missouri coaching staff in 2008. After 11 seasons with the Tigers, he moved on to the Air Force Academy and is now the Associate Head Coach. Joe has a reputation of being one of the hardest workers around, something he established growing up and now instills in his own athletes. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Coach Joe Johnston!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Zach is from Centerville, Iowa and wrestled for the Big Red. After high school, Zach started creating content while also attending barber school. Alas, StaleMates was born. StaleMates is a wrestling media company that rolls out high level wrestling content. Zach has become a well-respected member of the wrestling media, even if you don’t always agree with what he says. He’s unapologetically himself, which I think we can all appreciate. His linktr.ee can be found below so you can subscribe to his content. Zach is also the owner of Heartland Barbers, a barber shop in West Des Moines. If you’re in the Des Moines area and need lined up or a fresh cut, check this guy out! His website is also listed below. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Zach Bogle!

StaleMates linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/stalemates

Heartland Brothers website: https://heartlandbarbers.com/

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Courtney is from Dinsdale, Iowa and was a state champion for North Tama. He wrestled one year at Utah State before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Courtney spent 40+ years in the military, instructing SERE training and para rescue. Courtney also is big into coon hunting, something else we get into. Throughout it all, wrestling remained a key part of his life and still is to this day. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Courtney Risk!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Chloe is a sophomore at Vinton-Shellsburg and has had a great start to her young career. Chloe is a 2x state placewinner, finishing 2nd and 3rd. She is also having a heck of an offseason, placing 3rd at USA folkstyle nationals and 2nd at Virginia Beach. Chloe’s two older brothers, Gabe and Cooper, were talented wrestlers as well. If you haven’t already heard the name ‘Chloe Sanders’, you better start learning it because she’s a star. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Chloe Sanders!

Euphoria Coffee website: ⁠https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/⁠

Registration is open for the Granby Wrestling Camp in Belle Plaine, IA. The camp is from June 24th-26th and is hosted by The Granby School of Wrestling. All the information, including registration and event details are listed in the show notes or head to ⁠granbyschool.com⁠. Remember: Summer wrestling makes winter champs!

Granby School of Wrestling registration: ⁠http://www.granbyschool.com/shop/product/326989⁠

Granby School of Wrestling Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/events/2525819390924322/?ti=ls⁠

Let's Talk Wrestling website: ⁠https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Matt is from Glenwood, IA. He was a 4x state qualifier for the Rams, placing 5th as a junior and winning a state title as a senior. Matt spent his redshirt year at Iowa before transferring to Nebraska-Kearney and becoming a Loper legend. Matt was a 5x AA, placing 4th and 5th to go along with 2 national titles. In 2022, he helped lead UNK to their first team title since 2013. After spending two years as a teacher and head wrestling coach at Bellevue East HS in Nebraska, Matt is now an assistant wrestling coach at North Dakota State. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Assistant Coach Matt Malcom!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Eric is the 197 pounder for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In this episode, we touch on topics such as family, food, and of course even a little bit of wrestling. Enjoy!

Welcome to Season 4! You already know how we start things off here.

Eric really doesn’t need much of an introduction. He was an AA for Nebraska and has been competing for the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center over the past couple years. Eric qualified for the Olympic Trials and finished 4th at 97 kg. He lives in Lincoln with his wife Clare and newborn baby girl, Scarlett. Eric is also an Assistant Coach at Nebraska Wesleyan. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Eric Schultz!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Kelli grew up wrestling for Blue Earth Area High School in Minnesota, where she was the first varsity female wrestler. She was a Cadet/Junior Women’s national champion in 2003 and a runner-up in 2004. At one point, Kelli was the No. 2 ranked female high school wrestler. She went on to wrestle at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada, where she was a 2x All-Conference honoree. Kelli finished her college career at Winona State University that included 2 national titles and a runner-up finish. Kelli is now the Head Girls Wrestling Coach at Hopkins High School in Minnesota. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Kelli Metzger!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Dimitri was a 4x Iowa High School state placewinner and 2x state champ for Eddyville-Blakesburg. He went on to wrestle at Coe College and was a DIII national runner-up his senior year at 157 lbs. He even did a little MMA. So, safe to say, Dimitri is one bad dude. He’s now teaching at his alma mater Eddyville-Blakesburg and is going into his first year as head wrestling coach. Dimitri shows pigs on the side and currently has some merch! If you want to buy some Dimitri Boyer Show Pigs merchandise, you can find the link below or head to his Facebook page at D Boyer Show Pigs. So please sit back, relax and enjoy, Dimitri Boyer!

Beat the Streets National Information: I have partnered with Gina Perry and Beat the Streets National in hopes to help raise money for their GearUp! campaign. The GearUp! campaign aims to provide youth with a new pair of wrestling shoes, head gear, and workout clothing. We've all been touched by wrestling in some shape or form, so now let us provide the same gift wrestling gave us to those who need it most. You can donate at national.beatthestreets.org/letstalkwrestling or help spread the word about the GearUp! campaign. You can find the link and more information about the campaign in the show notes. Thank you so much for your support! Now, let’s talk some wrestling.

D Boyer Show Pigs merch website: https://dboyershowpigs2022.itemorder.com/shop/home/?fbclid=IwAR1VVcGCTQpeYkrzwXugLTt0Ix0crOugw2fMjcxon0zWw9R3CfqadPgsWU4

Ryder is from Indianola, IA, where he collected quite the accolades. He was a 4x placewinner, 2x finalist and a state champ his senior year in one of the most memorable matches in recent history. Ryder also got it done in the classroom, as he was valedictorian of his high school class that included 273 students in all. Now at UNI, Ryder is putting his talent on display at the collegiate level. He was a Big 12 champ last year and made the round of 12 at the NCAA tournament. And of course, he was first team academic All-Big 12. Currently in his RS sophomore year, Ryder is rolling into the NCAA tournament in a wide-open 157-pound weight class. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Ryder Downey!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Jagger wrestles 165lbs. for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and hails from Northampton, PA. In this episode, we touch on a note he wrote to his dad when he was younger, his path to the University of Nebraska and more. Enjoy!

As many accolades as Moza has, I think it’s important to first acknowledge how good of a person he is. Because who you are as a person is more important than what you accomplish on the mat or in life. And Moza is a perfect reflection of that. On the mat, Moza was a 2x Iowa High School State Champion for Anamosa High School. He went on to become a 2x All-American for the University of Northern Iowa. Moza also trained at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado and joined the Army World Class Athlete Program. We cover a lot in this episode, so let’s get going! Please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Moza Fay!

Beat the Streets National Information: I have partnered with Gina Perry and Beat the Streets National in hopes to help raise money for their GearUp! campaign. The GearUp! campaign aims to provide youth with a new pair of wrestling shoes, head gear, and workout clothing. We've all been touched by wrestling in some shape or form, so now let us provide the same gift wrestling gave us to those who need it most. You can donate at national.beatthestreets.org/letstalkwrestling or help spread the word about the GearUp! campaign. Thank you so much for your support!

Jess is a Life Coach who currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Life is hard and challenging. At times, we struggle through it all. This is especially true for a student-athlete. So, get ready to be motivated and find some mental toughness! If you or someone you know might be interested in taking it a step further feel free to reach out to Jess! Her instagram and website are linked in the show notes! A reminder to everyone: It’s ok to ask for help. With that being said, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Jessica Knapp!

Happiness Coaching website: https://www.happinesscoaching.online/

Jessica's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happ.i.ness.jess/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Sam is going to be a sophomore at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Sam was a Fargo runner-up in 2021 and he would be there right now. Instead, Sam made the U17 Greco-Roman World Team and will be competing in Istanbul, Turkey from July 31 - August 6. Sam also hosted a podcast called Home Mat Advantage with his friend, Jude Swisher, and won the WIN Magazine Journalist of the Year at just 13 years old. Although he may have become recognized from the Home Mat Advantage Podcast, you’re going to remember him as a wrestler. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Sam Herring!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Nate is from Tucson, Arizona and was a 2x state champion for Sunnyside High School. Nate went on to wrestle at Iowa State, where he was a 3x All-American and a national champion for the Cyclones. At the senior level, he was a U.S. Senior national champion, a 4x U.S. national team member and finished 3rd at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. After a couple of brief coaching stints, Nate now works at Wells Fargo and resides in Iowa. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Nate Gallick!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

The Premier National League is a league consisting of some of the top wrestling clubs across the country. The purpose of PNL is to elevate wrestling by providing great experiences and elite competition with high standards for coaches, referees and athletes. This weekend, November 1st-3rd, they are hosting their Fall Championships in Kansas City, MO at Hy-Vee Arena. In this episode, I sit down with Executive Director Zack Wilcox and head coach of MWC Zac Dominguez to discuss how PNL came to fruition and what the vision is moving forward.

PNL website: https://www.pnlwrestling.com/home

Euphoria Coffee website: ⁠https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/⁠

Let's Talk Wrestling website: ⁠https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Chase grew up in Monticello, Iowa and was a 3x state placewinner for the Panthers. He moved on to wrestle for Head Coach Heath Grimm and Upper Iowa University. Chase recently won the 165-pound DII national title. I talked to Chase early on in the season, so this will give you a glimpse into how he got things rolling and what it took to get to this point in his wrestling career. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Chase Luensman!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Patrick is a Kansas City, MO native. He wrestled a year at Oak Park High School before finishing his career at Staley High School. Along the way, Patrick was a 4x placewinner and 2x Missouri state champion. Patrick fulfilled his childhood dream and wrestled at the University of Iowa. He solidified himself as a starter his senior year and made the most of his opportunity by qualifying for the NCAA tournament. Patrick is now an Assistant Coach at the University of Central Missouri, helping develop young men both on and off the mat. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Patrick Rhoads!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Erica’s love for the sport developed at a young age. She grew up in Independence, Iowa and, when she got older, started volunteering with the Ames Area High School Wrestling Team. From there, she became head of the Ames Area Wrestling Club and also co-founded the Be Rare Initiative with Cyclone national champion Kyven Gadson. Next thing you know, Erica is the Director of Donor Relations at the Cyclone Regional Training Center. She did this all while raising her boys, Blayke and Marcus. Erica is now the Director of Wrestling Operations at Davidson College. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Erica Andorf!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Brett is from Manchester, Iowa and wrestled for West Delaware. Unfortunately, injuries cut his career short. But Brett just couldn’t get away from wrestling. He’s been involved at the coaching level, holding roles at Waterloo West, Waverly Shell-Rock and Loras, to name a few. Currently, Brett is the head coach at West Des Moines Valley and guided them to a 15th place finish at state this year, which included a state finalist. In the show notes you’ll see a link to Pay It FOREward Connolly, a non-profit organization that serves to financially aid persons with disabilities and their families. The organization was founded in memory of Andrew Connolly, a good friend of Brett Wheelan. Again, the link to the organization can be found in the show notes. If you know someone who could benefit from this amazing organization or if you simply want to know how you can help, all the information is found through that link. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Coach Brett Wheelan!

Pay It FOREward Connolly: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064756686289

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Liam is the 125 pounder for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In this episode, we touch on topics such as food, marriage and of course wrestling. Enjoy!

Madison is from Warren, PA, where her love for wrestling began. She started keeping stats for her middle school wrestling team. She attended Edinboro University, where she became known as the “Everything Girl” because she was literally doing everything behind the scenes for the wrestling program. Madison has also done some freelance work for InterMat and I have linked a couple of her articles in the show notes. Madison has that underdog mentality, so there’s a lot of tenacity in this episode. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Madison Hollenbeck!

InterMat Articles:

https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/post-collegiate-life-for-wrestlers-in-service-academies-r98806/

https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/international/who-to-watch-at-the-u20-and-u23-trials-r91126/

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Doyle is from Waco, Nebraska and was a 4x state champion for Centennial High School, the 25th in Nebraska history and only the second to ever do it in Class C. But, on April 5, 2015 (Easter Sunday), Doyle was involved in a single-vehicle accident that ultimately cost him his left leg above the knee. If you thought this was the end of the story, you’re wrong. Doyle was committed to the University of Wyoming at the time and they would fully honor his scholarship, regardless if he would be able to compete or not. After a lot of hard work and prayer, Doyle made his collegiate debut for the Cowboys at the Wyoming Cowboy Open in November of 2016. He wrestled all 4 years at Wyoming and finished with 21 career victories. Doyle is now the Head Coach of Midland University, an NAIA school located in Fremont, Nebraska. An inspiring story lies ahead. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Coach Doyle Trout!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Registration is open for the Granby Wrestling Camp in Belle Plaine, IA. The camp is from June 24th-26th and is hosted by The Granby School of Wrestling. All the information, including registration and event details are listed in the show notes or head to granbyschool.com. Remember: Summer wrestling makes winter champs!

Granby School of Wrestling registration: http://www.granbyschool.com/shop/product/326989

Granby School of Wrestling Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2525819390924322/?ti=ls

When I first decided to start this podcast, one of the first wrestlers that came to mind was Trent Weatherman. He was one of the biggest names I remember hearing about growing up. He was a 5x AAU state champion. He followed that up by being a 4x Iowa high school state finalist and 2x state champion while wrestling for Ballard Huxley. I remember my dad always saying he looked like a man amongst boys out there. He went on to compete for the Iowa State Cyclones where, unfortunately, injuries cut his career short. He’s now grown himself into a very successful businessman. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Trent Weatherman!

Tim is a wrestling and baseball dad. He has 3 sons. Ben and Cade wrestle and both won state titles this year for Skutt Catholic. His other son, Jace, is a flamethrower for the Skutt Catholic baseball team. He’s a well-respected father in the Omaha metro area and his family is also highly praised as being a genuine group of people. I wanted to bring him on to highlight a family that is doing things the right way and pick his brain on how they do it. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Tim Ziola!

Megan wrestled for Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and became the first female to place at the Iowa High School State Wrestling tournament. She won gold at the Junior Pan-American Games in 2014. Collegiately, Megan wrestled one year at King University and three years at McKendree, finishing as an All-American each year. She joined the United States Army and trained as part of the Army World Class Athlete Program. She’s represented the United States in the Tour de Spain, Pan American Championships, and World Championships. Megan and her husband, Zach, recently welcomed a daughter, Leighton. Megan is a champion both on and off the mat and I’m excited to share her story with you! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Megan Black-Campion!

UWW World Cup Information: https://worldcupiowacity.com/

Chris is a graduate of Oak Park River Forest High School and was a 3x All-American for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. After competing with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club, Chris began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at South Dakota State. Chris now is the head coach of Perry High School in Iowa. Chris is actually gearing up to host his Dardanes Trained 1% Better Camp! It runs June 29th through July 1st and they have housing available for those traveling from out of town. Registration is open through June 22nd and you can find the link to register below. With that being said, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Chris Dardanes!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Dardanes Trained 1% Better Camp registration: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/dardanes-trained-2023-summer-camp/barriers/visitor-report?cart=09065daa-df28-4b51-82a2-373ea319659f%21%2156016324

The second-ever guest on the podcast, Liam was a 2x state finalist for Servite High School in California, their first-ever state finalist. After 4 years at Indiana, Liam came to Nebraska and became an AA his senior year after a 5th place finish. Liam has already been having success at the senior level. He qualified for the Olympic Trials at 57 kg. while also placing 4th at the World Team Trials at 61 kg. Liam and his wife, Kennedy, reside in Lincoln with their daughter, Bohen. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Liam Cronin!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Randi is a photographer for IAwrestle and I mean this as sincerely as possible when I say Iowa is extremely lucky to have her taking photos of the wrestlers. Randi is not only passionate about the sport of wrestling, but she also cares deeply about every athlete she photographs. To see some of Randi’s work, purchase photos or get in contact with her about potential photoshoots, head to randiyeager.smugmug.com or you can reach out to her on instagram at randiyeager13. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Randi Yeager!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Cody was a 3x state champion for Waverly-Shell Rock and was part of the 2008 team that set the all-time point record with 225 points. He went on to wrestle at Northern Iowa, where he qualified for nationals his sophomore year. He’s now the Assistant Coach at South Dakota State. Cody and his wife just welcomed their first baby, Colt William. Welcome to the wrestling family! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Cody Caldwell!

Jillian, or “Monster” as she’s commonly known, is a 2x state champ for Union HS. She finished 5th last year, an ending that taught her some valuable lessons and made her hungry heading into her senior season. She’s been a great ambassador and role model for this next generation of girls wrestling and I cannot wait to see what she accomplishes in the future. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Jillian Worthen!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Justin was a 2x state champion for West Central, Maynard. He started his college career as an Iowa Hawkeye. However, during his redshirt sophomore year, he stepped away from the program and wrestling altogether. But he just couldn’t stay away. And after 12 years of not competing, Justin found himself back on the mat wearing an Upper Iowa singlet. He spent one year as a Peacock wrestler and, at the ripe age of 33, qualified for the DII national tournament. Oh, and he also has a family farm that milks about 700 cows. This is another person who we are very lucky to have in our sport. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Justin Decker!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Quen has a rather unique wrestling path. He was a 2x state placewinner for Tift County in Georgia. He started his college career at Brewton-Parker, an NAIA school in Georgia, and placed 6th. He then transferred to NIACC and placed 5th at the NJCAA national tournament. Quen now wrestles for Chadron State College and was a runner-up this past year at the DII National tournament. He was the first finalist for the Eagles since his Head Coach Brett Hunter won it back in 2009. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Quen Campbell!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Will is from Helena, AL, winning a total of 3 state titles: 1 for Helena High and 2 for Thompson High. Will wrestles at App State and currently wrestles 165 lbs. Thus far in his career, he is a conference champ and 2x NCAA qualifier. Currently in his senior season, Will is soaking up every last moment. In a loaded weight class, he’s got his work cut out for him if he wants to become an AA. But if anyone is up for the challenge, it’s this guy. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Will Miller!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Brittani is a registered dietitian and owns her own business called Freedom Nutrition Academy. With Freedom Nutrition Academy, you can get 1-on-1 coaching and find a plan designed specifically for you to help you hit your goal weight. She also provides advice on how to better your mindset and create healthy, sustaining habits that will give you confidence in your daily life. Brittani also served in the Army and was an intern for the New York Jets. More information about Brittani, Freedom Nutrition Academy and how to get a hold of her can be found in the show notes. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Brittani DaSilva!

Freedom Nutrition: https://www.freedomnutritionacademy.com/

Brittani DaSilva’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutrition_coach_brittani/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Luka is from San Marino, CA and was a 2x state placewinner, finishing 5th both times. Unfortunately, his junior and senior seasons were interrupted, once from a knee injury and the other due to COVID. Luka chose to attend Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA and is currently in his junior season competing at 165 lbs. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Luka Wick!

Euphoria Coffee website:https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website:https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Shane is one of the most passionate and genuine people you will ever come across. You’ll never get him to admit it, but he is a big reason why wrestling exposure has gone up. I mean what’s the first thing you think of when you see a big mat return? Or a tough ride to end a period? For me, I think of Shane Sparks. Shane’s from Ripon, Wisconsin and was a state runner-up as a senior for Winnebago Lutheran Academy. This is one you all are going to love. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Shane Sparks!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

I wouldn’t want to start this new and exciting season any other way. Eric was the very first guest on the podcast and I’m happy to continue sharing his story. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska, Eric has turned his attention to the Senior Level and currently competes at the NWRTC. He won both the Bill Farrell Open and the Henri Deglane to go along with a 4th place finish at the US Open. Eric also recently celebrated his wedding with his wife, Clare. Clare is a talented photographer and actually now is a great time to sign up and grab some fall family photos. If you or someone you know is in the market for a photographer, send them Clare’s way! You can check out her website at clareellerbeephotography.com or find her on instagram at clare.ellerbee.photo. Both links can be found below for your convenience. With all that being said, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Eric Schultz!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Clare's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clare.ellerbee.photo/

Clare's website: https://www.clareellerbeephotography.com/

Zack is from Omaha, NE and went to Omaha South High School. Zack was a state qualifier as a junior before wrestling at the University of Nebraska-Omaha for Head Coach Mike Denney. However, as we all know, UNO dropped wrestling in 2011, a move that still cuts deep with Zack to this day. Zack did follow Coach Denney to Maryville University, where he finished out his career. Zack competed and coached greco upon graduation, leading the U20 greco team at the Pan-Ams in Mexico in 2022. Zack is also the Executive Director of the Premier National League. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Zack Wilcox!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Brett was one of those guys I could never beat growing up. I don’t know how many times we wrestled, but he always found a way to come out on top. Anyway, Brett  was a 4x state qualifier for West Delaware and placed 4th as a senior. He went on to wrestle at Wartburg and qualified for the national tournament as a senior. Nowadays, Brett is an assistant coach at Waukee Northwest and a personal trainer at Life Time Athletic. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Brett Yonkovic!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

This is a special episode for me, as Chet was not only my coach, but he also happens to be my uncle. Chet has coached at MFL MarMac since 2000. He’s built a special tradition there, amassing over 400 career dual wins, winning numerous conference team titles and even made an appearance at the state duals. He was named the 1A Coach of the Year in 2021. We also touch on his own wrestling career a little bit. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Coach Chet Bachman!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Courtney is as passionate about wrestling as anyone I’ve come across. She was the first woman to wrestle varsity all 4 years at her high school. She’s now an InterMat correspondent covering specifically the MAC and has written incredible articles showcasing some great wrestling stories. You can find a couple of her stories below to see for yourself. With that being said, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Courtney Woods!

Courtney Woods articles: https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24952 --------- https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24748

Rock is a wrestling analyst for ESPN and ACC Networks and is a rising star in the industry. He competed collegiately at the University of Virginia and is a former DI official. He gives some great perspective on the sport and also touches on how he got to this point in his career. As fans, we’re lucky to have people like Rock on television, broadcasting duals and promoting the sport of wrestling. I can’t stress enough how important good broadcasting is if you want to grow the sport. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Rock Harrison!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Emma is currently the Head Coach of the NYC RTC women’s wrestling program and Columbia University Women’s Wrestling Club. Prior to this, she served as the head girls coach and program director for Beat the Streets NYC. Emma also was a member of USA Wrestling’s National coaching staff and has coached numerous world teams at all age levels. This is all a fancy way of saying Emma is one of the best and brightest coaches in the sport and I’m honored she allowed me a small glimpse of her thought process. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Coach Emma Randall!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Kyle is from Cedar Falls, IA, where he was actually a runner and not a wrestler. While attending UNI, he started to really entrench himself in the sport of wrestling. But his affinity for wrestling was always there. Over the years, Kyle has been constantly hustling, putting in so much time and effort to become one of the most respected writers in the sport. He’s currently a content producer at FloSports and was recently awarded the NWMA journalist of the year. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Kyle Klingman!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Deb is from Pittsburg, KS and is a graduate of Baker University. She has 3 daughters who have been active in sports. Finding a lack of girls wrestling apparel, Deb launched Yes! Athletics in late 2020. Yes! Athletics is meant to fill the gaps in sporting good for girls in sport, specifically wrestling. They have everything from shoes to singlets to apparel. You can find a link to her website in the show notes. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Deb Tompkins North!

Yes! Athletics: https://yesathleticsusa.com/

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Ben was one of the most electric 215-pounders I saw when I was growing up. The pace he wrestled with was unlike anything we had seen from bigger guys back then and he was just absolutely fearless! Ben went to Independence High School and didn’t start wrestling until he was a freshman. Two short years later, he would win a state title at 215 pounds. He finished runner-up at state to wrap up his high school career. Ben now lives on a beautiful piece of land outside Hanover, Illinois. He manages a seedstock operation with around 400 cows and is also on the Illinois Beef Association. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Ben Lehman!

Dale wrestled at Cedar Rapids Prairie for Coach Ron James. After high school, Dale wrestled at Northwest Missouri State, where he is the all-time wins leader. Dale became a teacher once he graduated and excelled in the educational field. He started in Nebraska before working his way back to Iowa, stopping at Akron-Westfield and Midland before finishing out as superintendent of both MFL MarMac and Eastern Allamakee Community School Districts. In listening to Dale you will find he intertwines a lot of what he learned on the mat with what he does off of it. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Dr. Dale Crozier!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Tony was gracious enough to invite me to his studio in downtown Des Moines and interview him in-person. We had such a great conversation that I felt it’s necessary to provide all of if to you. So, I’m breaking it down into two parts. This is part two. If you haven’t already, go back and listen to part one of my interview with Tony Hager. In this episode, we talk about Tony’s college career and how he started IAwrestle. Tony wrestled at Simpson College and majored in graphic design. He actually went through a period when he didn’t love wrestling anymore. However, that spark was eventually relit and now he owns IAwrestle. He has expanded into Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Him and his team do a hell of a job covering the sport. And after talking with Tony, I have a whole new level of appreciation for the work him and his team puts in. I know you’ll feel the same. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, part two of Tony Hager!

Beat the Streets National Information: I have partnered with Gina Perry and Beat the Streets National in hopes to help raise money for their GearUp! campaign. The GearUp! campaign aims to provide youth with a new pair of wrestling shoes, head gear, and workout clothing. We've all been touched by wrestling in some shape or form, so now let us provide the same gift wrestling gave us to those who need it most. You can donate at national.beatthestreets.org/letstalkwrestling or help spread the word about the GearUp! campaign. Thank you so much for your support!

This episode is going to be something a little different. The Big Ten wrestling tournament begins tomorrow, so I sat down with my brother, Cody, and went weight-by -weight with him to give you the who’s who. A couple things to note: we used the InterMat rankings and brackets had not been released yet, so we used the pre seeds as a guide. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy this Big Ten wrestling tournament preview with Cody Bachman.

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Another beast on the mat, Tanner wrestled for the Ballard Bombers in Huxley, Iowa. In high school, he was a 4x time state finalist and 3x state champ, one more than his older brother, Trent. So, as Tanner would say, "The numbers don’t lie!" Tanner went on to wrestle at Iowa State University, where he qualified for the national tournament all 4 years and was a round of 12 guy 3 times. He never could quite reach All-American status, but that doesn’t make his wrestling journey any less impressive. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Tanner Weatherman!

Steve Crozier is a MAJOR deal. Not only is Steve a Major in the United States Air Force, but he was also a major deal on the mat. He could be labeled a late bloomer, finishing 3rd at the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament his senior year. But he went on to compete for the Air Force Academy, qualified for nationals his junior year and even won a match. He’s now currently a pilot for the United States Air Force. And I’m lucky enough to have him as a brother-in-law. Steve has always been a hard worker, both on and off the mat, and I’m honored to showcase his story on my podcast. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Major Stephen Crozier!

Erin is currently an associate director with the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. She is a big reason why Iowa sanctioned girls wrestling. A native of Panora, Iowa, Erin graduated from Iowa State University before earning her masters at Oklahoma State. This is a very insightful episode of all the behind-the-scenes work Erin and her team puts in to make girls wrestling in Iowa as successful at it can be. It also entails where her passion for wrestling (and sports in general) all started. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Erin Gerlich!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Phillip is from Vernal, Utah and was a 2x state champion for Uintah High School. Phillip went on to wrestle at the University of Iowa and became a 3x All-American. He was also a part of 3 Big Ten and NCAA team champions. In my opinion, Phillip was the glue of those teams. He was tough, gritty and just someone you could always count on to get the job done. That’s why he was my favorite wrestler during that time. Phillip now lives back in his hometown of Vernal and is the head wrestling coach at his alma mater. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Phillip Keddy!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Dalton is from Charles City and was a 3x state qualifier for the Comets. As a senior, he broke through and finished 3rd at 189 lbs. Dalton was also a beast on the football field, earning 2nd team all-state honors his senior year and receiving an invite to the Shrine Bowl. Dalton attempted to both wrestle and play football at Grand View before transferring to Iowa Central to solely focus on football. After sustaining an injury, Dalton transferred back to Grand View, this time concentrating strictly on wrestling. Unfortunately, his body couldn’t hold up. Dalton is now active duty Army and is stationed in Fayetteville, North Carolina. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Dalton Schutjer!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Victor is the Head Wrestling Coach at Ellsworth Community College and Mirzo and Isaiah are a couple of his wrestlers. Both Mirzo and Isaiah qualified for the NJCAA national tournament being held Friday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 4th in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This episode is really about shedding light on junior colleges and how they can be immensely beneficial to wrestlers who are still developing, so I wanted to get this out prior to the tournament beginning. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Head Coach Victor Coronado and his wrestlers Mirzo Khayitov Isaiah Laguna!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Dru is a contributor for NE Wrestle and does a hell of a job providing content. He does rankings, articles, interviews, pictures, etc. The guy does it all. As far as wrestling, Dru was a 2x Nebraska state champion for Ord High School and he wrestled a couple years for Nebraska-Kearney. Dru is married and has two wonderful daughters. When he’s not putting together wrestling content or hanging with his family, Dru’s on a golf course somewhere. As much as he golfs, I still hear his handicap is a 54. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Dru Kastler!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Josh is the President and Event Organizer for Think Iowa City. He has been instrumental in the transformation of the Coralville/Iowa City area and has played a major role in putting together the Soldier Salute and also getting the UWW World Cup and girls high school state wrestling tournament to Xtream Arena. This is a great opportunity to get to know someone who is a huge advocate for the sport of wrestling and who is behind all these new and exciting opportunities for the sport of wrestling in the state of Iowa. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Josh Schamberger!

UWW World Cup Information: https://worldcupiowacity.com/

Levi wrestled for the vaunted Cedar Valley Mat Club, one of the toughest clubs back in the day. He went on to become a 4x Iowa High School state finalist and 2x state champion for Denver-Tripoli while also leading them to a state dual and traditional state title in 2010. Levi went on to wrestle at UNI, becoming a 2x NCAA qualifier and made the bloodround in 2013. Unfortunately, injuries took a toll on the rest of his college career. Levi now lives back near Denver and works with his best buddy Blake Sorensen. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Levi Wolfensperger!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

AJ is a graduate of Decorah High School, where he was a 2x state placewinner. AJ didn’t travel far for college, as he competed for Luther College. After graduating from Luther College, AJ attended the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon and became a chiropractor. Since then, AJ has helped train elite athletes, including an Ironman World Champion and World and Olympic track athletes. AJ now lives in Flagstaff, Arizona and has his own practice with his brother, Wes. More information about AJ’s practice, StrongStrides, along with all his credentials can be found in the show notes. With that being said, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Dr. AJ Gregg!

StrongStrides: https://www.strongstrides.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Teyon was a 4x undefeated state champion from Edmond North High School in Oklahoma. He traveled 45 minutes south and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was a 4x All-American, 3x finalist and 2x NCAA champion. Teyon is back coaching at his alma-mater as an Assistant Coach and is using his experience to help develop the next national champion at Oklahoma. Hopefully he’s also developing his NBA 2K skills! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Teyon Ware!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Leslie is from Tucson, Arizona where she fell in love with the sport of wrestling. She has climbed up the ranks as an official and is a highly regarded referee in the sport. She recently received her Category I, which is the second-highest ranking official and one step away from being eligible to ref at the Olympic Games. She’s officiated some of the biggest tournaments, including the US Open and Junior World Championships. I caught up with Leslie at the UWW World Cup in Iowa CIty and did this interview with her live at the arena, so you might hear a little background noise. A big congratulations to Leslie on her achievement! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Leslie Tamayo!

Robert is from Wagner, SD, where he and his 3 siblings grew up on the family farm. He turned in a great high school career at Wagner High School, winning 3 SD state titles and finishing runner-up at Junior Nationals twice. Robert wrestled at the University of Nebraska, where he etched his name as one of the all-time greats to ever wear a Husker singlet. His accolades include 2x Big Ten champ, 144 career wins, 4x NCAA qualifier and 3x AA. In my opinion, he’s on the Mount Rushmore of Husker wrestling. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Robert Kokesh!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Adam is from Bonners Ferry, ID, which is roughly 30 miles from the Canadian border. He was a 3x state champ for Bonners Ferry HS. Adam stayed in-state and wrestled at Boise State, achieving AA status twice and helping lead the Broncos to 3 top-11 team finishes. He spent the last 9 years on staff at NC State before taking over the Utah Valley program prior to this season. Adam has infused a ton of life into the program and they are already off to a promising start. Hop on the Utah Valley train now or you’re going to get left at the station. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Head Coach Adam Hall!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Tiffany grew up in Cumberland, Iowa and has been around the sport her entire life. She moved to New Mexico and got into coaching. Tiffany started as a youth coach before moving into the club scene. She then became the first female assistant coach in the state of New Mexico. After COVID, Tiffany moved back to southwest Iowa and is now the head coach of the Southwest Area Wrestling Team (or S.W.A.T. for short). So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Tiffany South!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Tony has been involved in wrestling his entire life. He started out competing as youth in New York. Tony continued wrestling in college at the University of Buffalo. After graduating, Tony moved cross-country to San Francisco, CA, where he took on a coaching role. But after coaching for a brief period, Tony eventually found his way to behind the lens of a camera. And he knew that was his calling. Tony has been photographing wrestling ever since and is now one of the most highly-renowned photographers in the sport of wrestling. You can find his work at tonyrotundo.smugmug.com. The link is also posted in the show notes. One other note, it is actually Tony’s birthday today, so happy birthday Tony! He’s actually currently in Fairfax, VA shooting the Last Chance Qualifier as we speak. With all that being said, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Tony Rotundo!

Tony Rotundo website: https://tonyrotundo.smugmug.com/

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Alex is from Winthrop, IA. He was a 3x state qualifier, placing twice for East Buchanan High School. Alex decided to attend Cornell College, where he was a 4-year letterwinner and academic AA. He then received his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. Alex and his wife Courtney co-own their own practice called Revive Family Chiropractic located in Marion, IA. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Dr. Alex Riniker!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Lee is from Protivin, Iowa and wrestled for Turkey Valley High School. In the early 2000’s, Turkey Valley was a very tough and well-respected program. And Lee was right in the middle of it all. He comes from a long line of wrestlers in his family and he fit right in. Lee was a 4x conference champ, which doesn’t sound like that big of a deal but the Upper Iowa Conference was chalk full of studs. Lee finished his career 167-12 with 103 pins and placed 5th, 3rd and 2nd at state. Lee would go on to wrestle at Luther College before calling it a career. A little longer interview here, but it’s definitely worth the listen. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Lee Meirick!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Registration is open for the Granby Wrestling Camp in Belle Plaine, IA. The camp is from June 24th-26th and is hosted by The Granby School of Wrestling. All the information, including registration and event details are listed in the show notes or head to granbyschool.com. Remember: Summer wrestling makes winter champs!

Granby School of Wrestling registration: http://www.granbyschool.com/shop/product/326989

Granby School of Wrestling Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2525819390924322/?ti=ls

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Reese is from Reno, Nevada, but attended high school at Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania. She won a silver medal at the 15U World Combat Games in Budapest and also won both the 16U and U20 national championships. Reese currently wrestles 143 lbs. for the University of Iowa. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Reese Larramendy!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Adam was a 2x California state champion in high school, competing for both Hiram Johnson High School and Buchanan High School. Adam went on to become an Illini legend. He was a 3x All-American for Head Coach Mark Johnson and was a national champion in 2001 while helping Illinois to a 5th place finish as a team. Adam was inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020. Now living back in Fresno, CA, Adam coaches at powerhouse Clovis High School with his dad, Stephen. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Adam Tirapelle!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

CJ is in his freshman season wrestling 184 at UNI. He’s from Keokuk, IA and wrestled at Notre Dame-West Burlington High School. After a 3rd place finish his sophomore year, CJ won back-to-back state titles at 182 lbs., which included a traditional team title by .5 in 2022. CJ seems to have found his seat on the Panther Train, as he won the Grand View Open’s freshman/sophomore division and placed 2nd at the Daktronics Open. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, CJ Walrath! Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Clayton wrestled for Crete High School in Nebraska before moving on to Buena Vista University. While there, he studied digital media and put it to use right away. Clayton directed and produced the documentary Unsanctioned, a 6-part docuseries following girls wrestling in Iowa, particularly the Ridge View Girls Wrestling team. If you haven’t seen it already, I HIGHLY recommend you do so! Head over to rokfin.com, click on “Watch Content” and search Unsanctioned. You can also find the link in the show notes. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Clayton Van Horn! Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/ Unsanctioned Series: https://www.rokfin.com/post/92840/Unsanctioned-Chapter-1-Passion--Purpose

Nate is currently the communications, marketing, and scholastic coordinator for the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). Nate’s from Beloit, KS and has just been around the sport of wrestling his whole life. Aside from competing while growing up, he coached wrestling at Lincoln High School in Kansas and was both the Vice President and President of the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. He’s another guy in our sport who has done so much behind the scenes to help grow wrestling. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Nate Naasz!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Mack is a four-time state champion for Don Bosco, the 13th in Iowa High School state history. For college, Mack went north and attended the University of Minnesota. As a Golden Gopher, he was a 3x All-American at 133 lbs. Between high school and college, Mack won a total of 294 matches. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Mack Reiter!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Kyle is from Hettinger, North Dakota and he is proud to represent his home state. He’s a 5x North Dakota State Champion and also was Valedictorian of his high school class. He began his career at Wisconsin and competed 3 years for the Badgers. This past summer, he transferred to Nebraska in what was supposed to be a smooth transition. However, it has been anything but smooth and Kyle is now in jeopardy of losing a year of eligibility. It’s a tough situation and it’s up to the University of Wisconsin to rectify it. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Kyle Burwick!

Lennie is from Cedar Rapids, IA and was a state champion for Cedar Rapids Prairie. He went on to wrestle at the University of Iowa for legendary head coach Dan Gable. Lennie would finish as a 3x AA and 2x runner-up as a Hawkeye. After competing, Lennie would enter the coaching ranks, most notably coaching at Palmer HS in Alaska, at UC Davis and at Cal Baptist. Lennie is now the head coach at Cal Poly Humboldt located in Arcata, CA. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Lennie Zalesky!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Mitch was a 4x state placewinner, placing 3rd twice for Cedar Rapids Kennedy and placing 1st and 3rd for Iowa City West. He won a Fargo national title as a senior in high school before joining the Iowa State Cyclones. Mitch had a successful college career, finishing as a Big 12 runner-up three times and making the round-of-12 twice at the NCAA’s. Mitch’s birthday was actually July 20th, so Happy Birthday to Mitch! With that being said, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Mitch Mueller!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Brandyn wrestles 184 pounds for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and is from Mapleton, Utah. I’m excited to feature Brandyn on the podcast because his story is rather unique. After high school, Brandyn took time off to go on a 2 year mission trip before returning to the sport of wrestling. In this episode, we dive into his mission trip, how he stayed in shape while he was away plus much more! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Brandyn Van Tassell!

Cody qualified all 4 years for the Iowa High School State Tournament while wrestling for Underwood High School. He placed 3 times, which included a runner-up finish as a senior. After spending a year at Nebraska-Kearney, Cody transferred to Iowa Western Community College and became an All-American. He now coaches at Treynor High School and has already led them to new heights, qualifying a school-record 6 wrestlers for the state tournament this past year. The future is bright for this guy! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Cody Kingery!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Brock is heading into his sophomore season at the University of Nebraska after a successful freshman year that ended in a 6th place finish at NCAA’s. Before he gets his college season underway, Brock will be traveling to Albania to compete in the U23 World Championships at 65kg. Competition gets underway October 23, with Brock’s first match coming at 3:30am ET on Tuesday the 24th. Best of luck to Brock and all of Team USA as they look to bring home some hardware. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Brock Hardy!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Nick is a graduate of Rutgers University where he wrestled for their club team. He also started broadcasting Rutgers dual meets along with other Rutgers sports. He’s been heavily involved in wrestling ever since, covering both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. Nick currently works as a Sports Writer for On3. As a wrestling community, we are privileged to have people like Nick covering our sport. Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Kaid is from Stillwater, OK and was a 3x state champ for Stillwater High. It was no surprise when Kaid chose to be a Cowboy and wrestle for Oklahoma State. He announced his presence immediately when he was pulled out of redshirt and pinned the returning national champion Cody Brewer in his first collegiate match. Kaid would finish his career as a 2x AA for the Cowboys, as injuries unfortunately took a toll on his body. Nowadays, Kaid lives to hunt and just returned from a big elk hunt him and his buddies just went on. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Kaid Brock!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

If you’re looking for someone to root for this week as nationals gets underway, look no further than this guy, Clay Carlson. Clay wrestles 141 pounds for South Dakota State and is the 11 seed going into nationals. He was an All-American in 2021, finishing 8th. Clay is currently a graduate student and also has the unique ability to yodel a tune or two! One of his coaches calls him a “special kid” and there’s no doubt you’ll agree after listening to him. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Clay Carlson!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Rick’s storied wrestling career started in Knoxville, Iowa, where he was a state qualifier for Knoxville High School. He went on to compete at Buena Vista University and became a 2x All-American for coach Al Baxter. Rick coached at a few high schools before landing as an Assistant Coach at Wartburg under the great Jim Miller in 1988. Rick then took over the Waverly-Shell Rock program in 1999 and led them to unprecedented heights. In 12 years, his teams won 14 state team trophies, including nine state championships (five traditional and four dual). He coached 20 individual state champions and his 2008 Go-Hawks team set the all-time points record with 225 points at the traditional state tournament. Rick has since been inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Buena Vista University Athletics Hall of Fame. After talking with Rick, it’s easy to see why he was able to accomplish all that he has. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Rick Caldwell!

Beat the Streets National Information: I have partnered with Gina Perry and Beat the Streets National in hopes to help raise money for their GearUp! campaign. The GearUp! campaign aims to provide youth with a new pair of wrestling shoes, head gear, and workout clothing. We've all been touched by wrestling in some shape or form, so now let us provide the same gift wrestling gave us to those who need it most. You can donate at national.beatthestreets.org/letstalkwrestling or help spread the word about the GearUp! campaign. Thank you so much for your support!

Christian is the heavyweight for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In this episode, we touch on how he handles the pressure when the dual is on the line, the impact of Tervel Dlagnev and more. Enjoy!

Dane was a product of Maquoketa High School. He was a 4x state placewinner, finishing 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 2nd. Dane competed at the University of Iowa and lived out his dream of repping the black and gold singlet. Dane works back in Maquoketa with his mom, dad and brother, Cole. He also has some bird dogs, so hopefully he got a pheasant or two this year! Anyway, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Dane Pape!

Behind all these great athletes we love and cheer for is an even greater support system. Kourtney Hardy is a perfect example of this. She is the wife of 2x AA and current Husker wrestler Brock Hardy. Kourtney grew up literally down the street from Brock in Brigham City, Utah. She’s currently taking classes online at Southern Utah University and lives in Lincoln. In this episode, Kourtney talks about how she handles being the wife of a wrestler in the spotlight. She talks about what it was like to uproot herself from Utah and move to Lincoln and how she, herself, stays strong. Kourtney has started a little business called My Everlasting Flower, where she turns flowers into lasting memories. You can find more information on instagram at myeverlastingflower (all one word) or myeverlastingflower.com. Both links can be found in the show notes. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Kourtney Hardy!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

My Everlasting Flower instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myeverlastingflower/

My Everlasting Flower website: https://www.myeverlastingflower.com/

Registration is open for the Granby Wrestling Camp in Belle Plaine, IA. The camp is from June 24th-26th and is hosted by The Granby School of Wrestling. All the information, including registration and event details are listed in the show notes or head to granbyschool.com. Remember: Summer wrestling makes winter champs!

Granby School of Wrestling registration: http://www.granbyschool.com/shop/product/326989

Granby School of Wrestling Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2525819390924322/?ti=ls

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Dorothy’s voice might sound familiar to you. That’s because she’s been a public address announcer for wrestling for over 30 years. She’s worked at major events all over the country, ranging from high school, college and even USA wrestling events. She received the Ed Aliverti Golden Microphone Award in 2018, which showcases all the hard work she puts into her profession. Dorothy is a pioneer in the sport and I’m honored to have her on the podcast to showcase her dedication to wrestling! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Dorothy Mayabb!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

A.J. is from Tyrone, Pennsylvania. He was a 4x placewinner for Tyrone Area HS, capping it off with a state title as a senior. A.J. chose to attend Edinboro University and wrestled for the Fighting Scots. While there, A.J. became a 3x AA and helped lead Edinboro to two top-5 finishes at the NCAA tournament, including their highest finish ever at the 2015 NCAA championships when they finished 3rd behind only Ohio State and Iowa. After spending the last 6 seasons as an assistant coach at Purdue, A.J. recently accepted a position to return to Edinboro as their top assistant on the coaching staff. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Head Assistant Coach A.J. Schopp! Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/ Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Lenny is from Stroudsburg, PA and won a state title as a junior. Unfortunately, knee injuries derailed his senior year. Lenny chose to attend the University of Nebraska, where lingering knee issues kept him off the mat his redshirt year. But Lenny thrived last year in his first season in the lineup at 184, finishing 5th at Big Ten’s and qualifying for the NCAA tournament. I think Lenny is someone Husker coaches and fans are really excited about moving forward. I can’t wait to see what his future holds! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Lenny Pinto!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Jared is from Graettinger, Iowa and wrestled at Graettinger-Terrill. He was a 3x state placer, securing 3rd twice before becoming a state champion as a senior. After high school, Jared got into the world of weightlifting. He’s competed in both Strongman and Powerlifting competitions before picking up Olympic Weightlifting. In 2015, Jared switched to CrossFit full time and made the 2018 CrossFit Games. You can check him out on his instagram at jaredenderton where you can find seminars, more information about Invictus Weightlifting and to reach out for weightlifting programs. His instagram handle can be found below. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Jared Enderton!

Jared Enderton instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaredenderton/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Cody wrestled at Sergeant Bluff-Luton, where he was a 4x Iowa High School state qualifier and 2x placewinner on his way to 196 career wins. He went on to wrestle for the Naval Academy. Cody then went on to join the U.S. Marine Corps. But Cody’s biggest impact on the sport has arguably come after his wrestling days. He helped sanction wrestling in the state of Mississippi. He’s the treasurer of Beat the Streets St. Louis and the head coach at wreSTL. He also is a major advocate for the Wrestlers in Business Network, which serves as a platform to connect wrestlers to job opportunities across the county. Check out the link below to find a chapter near you! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Cody Solari!

Wrestlers in Business Network Information: https://www.wrestlersinbusiness.org/

Cody is from Macedonia, OH and wrestled for Bedford St. Chanel. He was a 3 time placewinner, earning 7th and 3rd before capturing a state title as a senior. Cody journeyed about 3 hours south to compete at Ohio University and established himself as a Bobcat great. Cody was a 3x team captain, 3x MAC champion, 4x NCAA qualifier and 2x AA. He amassed 30+ wins in 3 of his 4 seasons and was twice named Ohio University Male Athlete of the Year. Cody began his coaching career as an assistant at Gardner-Webb before stops at West Virginia and Nordonia HS. Fittingly, he is now back at his alma mater as an assistant under his former head coach, Joel Greenlee. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Assistant Coach Cody Walters!

Euphoria Coffee website: https://www.drinkeuphoriacoffee2go.com/

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Michael is a graduate from West Delaware High School, where he placed 5th at 145 lbs. He went on to wrestle at Wartburg for Head Coach Jim Miller and became a 3x All-American. In 1995, Michael took a teaching position at Independence High School and he became head coach of the Independence Mustangs in 1999. Since then, he’s built a consistent winner and his program is well-respected across the state of Iowa. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Coach Michael Doyle!

Tony is the head coach of Augsburg University, a DIII powerhouse in Minneapolis, MN. He started as a grad assistant in 2012 before going the staff full-time in 2015. Tony became the co-head coach in 2019 and assumed solo duties in 2022. He’s helped lead the Auggies to 3 national titles over his time and is hoping to provide similar results this year. Tony is a graduate of Augsburg University and was a 3x All-American himself. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Coach Tony Valek!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Chris is from Coggon, Iowa and wrestled at North Linn High School. He was a 3x state placewinner before moving on to Coe College. He was a 2x Division III national qualifier before battling injuries his final two years. Chris now works for the Illinois State Police and lives in Aledo, Illinois with his wife and two boys. A little note before we get started: I lost my voice just prior to this interview, so forgive me for my raspy voice. Otherwise please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Chris LeClere!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/

Tim was a 3 sport star in high school, playing both baseball and football at a high level along with wrestling. Tim ultimately chose to wrestle at the University of Minnesota and became a 3x All-American, finishing 3rd as a sophomore before winning 2 national titles. He was the first Golden Gopher to win back-to-back national titles in 51 years, a crazy stat when you consider the history of the program. After competing on the senior level, Tim got into coaching, with stints at Minnesota, Iowa and Iowa State. He now currently resides in Stillwater, Minnesota and enjoys time with his 3 kids. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Tim Hartung!

Let's Talk Wrestling website: https://letstalkwrestlingpodcast.my.canva.site/