Airey Bros.'s Radio

Howdy & aloha! We are HERE, you are THERE, and you’re now rockin’ with the best!This episode goes belly to belly 🤼‍♂️ with Coach Ryan LeBlanc, the 8th Head Coach in Binghamton University Wrestling history, fresh off building The Citadel into a SoCon power and now bringing that blueprint back home to Upstate New York. We talk real D1 program-building — not a press conference, not coach-speak — a full ABR deep dive on:what LeBlanc learned turning The Citadel around (COVID roster chaos → conference champs)how he’s implementing culture + systems at Binghamton (EIWA)scholarship growth, staff support, and what’s different at a high-academic public universityNortheast vs. South wrestling culture, club wrestling, and what he looks for in recruitshow he navigates the transfer portal (and when it’s actually a “slam dunk”)leadership lessons, daily gratitude rituals, and the “Final Four” lifestyle segmentIf you’re a wrestler, parent, coach, or fan who wants the behind-the-scenes of building a Division I program the right way — this one’s for you.✅ Subscribe on YouTube + follow us on IG: @aireybrosradio☕ Support the show (Value for Value): buymeacoffee.com/aireybros🏃 Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching: blacksheependurance.comABR 422 Show Notes (with timestamps)Episode: ABR 422Guest: Coach Ryan LeBlanc — Head Wrestling Coach, Binghamton University (EIWA)Originally streamed live: Nov 25, 2025 (YouTube)Now available: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get podcastsTimestamps0:00 — ABR open: “Howdy & aloha…” + Value-for-Value mission1:03 — Coach LeBlanc intro: Citadel rebuild → Binghamton hire2:05 — Where to follow Binghamton Wrestling + Bearcat Wrestling Club3:15 — Why Binghamton was one of the few jobs he’d leave for (family + timing)4:10 — “Hero’s journey” coming home to Upstate NY5:06 — How close is home now? Family, balance, Thanksgiving feels6:43 — Lessons from The Citadel that transfer to Binghamton: culture + consistency8:47 — Taking over an existing roster: maximizing what’s there + making changes10:01 — Proof of concept: development happens in the room first11:21 — Resources differences: scholarship increase, recruiting footprint, full staff13:07 — Hired Sept 11: tough transition + building relationships fast14:35 — Early season lineup questions, injuries, and December dual targets15:51 — Staying healthy: training year-round + wrestling style + smart decisions18:43 — Storytime: Jeff Boyd + individualized athlete approach19:35 — Leadership tip: building relationships with a new team/program21:28 — “Oil and water” athlete → captain: the Ethan Willis story24:08 — Head coach as CEO: systems, decision-making, delegation26:24 — Geography shift: travel, snowstorms, routines, and rebuilding systems27:40 — Binghamton academics: student body, selectivity, majors, and fit29:00 — Recruiting footprint: NY base + pulling nationally (FL, NC, etc.)31:37 — Northeast vs. South wrestling culture + club wrestling impact35:54 — Recruiting philosophy: right people > hype; avoiding “spoon-fed” types36:06 — Early recruiting results: “5-for-5” visit weekend + momentum37:46 — Scholarship clarification: 40 added across the department (not just wrestling)39:25 — Jersey pipeline: upcoming NJ visits + roster notes40:09 — Why Florida can be a strategic recruiting state (no D1 programs)41:18 — Winter weather + why leaving home for college is healthy43:25 — Team “ecosystem” synergy: mixing personalities + experiences44:03 — Learning campus fast: assistants as Binghamton alums + authenticity45:07 — Becoming the boss of returning staff: leadership + trust47:44 — National Duals thoughts + watching as a coach vs. as a fan51:01 — Transfer portal philosophy: “Don’t love it… but not above it”53:51 — Final Four: coffee order, daily rituals, planning habits56:12 — What he’s listening to: audiobooks, Wayne Dyer, stress/manifesting1:00:33 — Thanksgiving traditions, food, and family cooking1:02:29 — Upstate NY essentials: pizza + regional food spots1:04:13 — Closing: Bearcats love + ABR upcoming episodes💬 QUESTION: If you’re a recruit… what matters most to you right now: culture, scholarships, academics, or location?Stay Connected!Binghamton Wrestling on InstagramBearcat Wrestling on X Binghamton Bearcats Mainsite Love Airey Bros Radio? We deliver raw, no-BS conversations with elite coaches, athletes, and insiders from wrestling, running, ultrarunning, and strength culture — the voices and programs you won't hear on mainstream ESPN.Your support via Buy Me a Coffee keeps us caffeinated, producing consistent episodes, and spotlighting the under-the-radar stories that fuel your training and passion.Buy us a coffee today — every bit directly powers more high-level content straight to you! ☕ Value for Value🏃 Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching📲 Follow: @aireybrosradio

The 2025 NAIA Cross Country National Championships are in the books — and we’re breaking it all down with the coaches who lived it.Originally streamed LIVE on YouTube on November 24, 2025, this episode is now available on all Airey Bros Radio podcast platforms as Episode 421.Recorded just days after the championship meet at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida, the Airey Bros are joined by five elite NAIA head coaches to unpack team titles, podium finishes, All-American performances, heartbreak by a single point, and the moments you don’t see on the results sheet.🎯 Today’s Roundtable Features:Indiana Wesleyan — first red banner in program historyTaylor University — women’s team & individual national champions + combined titleMilligan University — women’s national runners-up & 3rd combinedDordt University — program-best women’s podium finishCollege of Idaho — young squads knocking on the podium doorThis is a coach-to-coach conversation about:Race-day decision makingHandling pressure at the national meetOne-through-five splits and pack racingRebuilding years vs. championship yearsLeadership, culture, faith, development, and gratitudeAt Airey Bros Radio, we shine a light on the programs, coaches, and stories we wish we had access to growing up. If you’re a recruit, parent, coach, or fan of NAIA distance running, this episode is for you.☕ Value-for-Value Show - If you get value from this episode, consider returning some value our way🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Watch the full livestream archive on YouTube📱 Follow us on Instagram: @aireybrosradio⏱️ Episode 421 — Time-Stamped Show Notes0:00 – Show IntroHowdy & Aloha + Why We Do This1:15 – Championship Overview2025 NAIA XC Nationals at Apalachee Regional Park (Tallahassee, FL)🏆 Coach Segments4:00 – Coach Brody Beiler (Indiana Wesleyan)Men’s NAIA National Champions (first red banner)5 Men’s All-AmericansWomen finish 11th; 4th overall combinedFaith, freedom, and championship pressureThe moment IWU knew they had it24:50 – Coach Nate Wolf (Dordt University)Women place 3rd — best finish in program history37-second 1–5 splitUnderranked → podiumYoung team confidence & belief44:15 – Coach Chris Layne (Milligan University)Women’s National Runner-Up (109 points)Men exceed expectations with an 8th-place finish3rd in the combined standingsCoaching perspective from decades at the top1:02:40 – Coach Quinn White (Taylor University)Women’s Team National ChampionsJanie Halterman repeats as Individual Champion + meet recordMen place 5th → Taylor wins combined titleFinal season reflections & storybook ending1:24:30 – Coach Dominic Bolin (College of Idaho)Women finish 5th — one point off the podiumMen finish 14th with a young rosterEvery scorer returnsBuilding the next generation of Yotes1:48:45 – Closing ThoughtsGratitude, growth, and why NAIA XC continues to rise

Recorded live on YouTube on November 18, 2025, this Airey Bros Radio roundtable goes belly to belly with the top NAIA wrestling programs in the country for a full 2025–26 NAIA Wrestling Season Preview.We’re joined by four of the biggest hammers on the small-college scene:🏆 Grand View (Preseason #1) – Head Coach Grant Henderson🔥 Life University (Preseason #4) – Associate Head Coach Jake Laden🔥 Southeastern University (Preseason #2) – Head Coach Travis Patrick🔥 Indiana Tech (Preseason #3) – Head Coach Thomas PompeiAcross four segments, we break down:🔁 Key returners & new faces to watch🧱 How each staff builds culture, buy-in & championship lifestyle🧠 Development vs. “blue-chip” recruiting in NAIA wrestling🗓️ Must-watch duals, opens & National Duals storylines🧭 NAIA vs. NCAA – helping recruits find the right fit, not just “D1”🎓 Academics, niche majors & life after wrestling💪 Why NAIA depth, “two per weight,” and club/NCAA teams make this division sneaky loadedWhether you’re a high school wrestler, parent, club coach, or NAIA junkie, this episode is a blueprint on how the best small-college programs are doing it in 2025–26.⏱ Originally recorded live on YouTube: November 18, 2025 – 7:00 PM EST👂 Listen to Airey Bros RadioYouTube: @AireyBrosSpotify: Airey Bros RadioApple Podcasts: Airey Bros Radio🏃‍♂️ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance – coaching, nutrition & ultra running☕ Value 4 Value: If this episode helps you find a new program, new coach, or new perspective…show some love & buy us a coffee⏱ Time-Stamped Show Notes 0:00 – Howdy & Aloha / Value-for-Value Intro – ABR “Howdy & Aloha” cold open– Value-for-value, Buy Me A Coffee, and why Airey Bros shines a light on programs they wish they knew about growing up – Tonight’s lineup: Grand View, Life, Southeastern, Indiana Tech3:12 – Grand View Wrestling (#1) w/ Coach Grant Henderson – Taking over the Grand View dynasty & finding out he’s the head coach fresh off his honeymoon – Shifting from assistant to “CEO” of the program while still keeping championship lifestyle at the center – Deep roster philosophy: development, growth mindset & wanting the best guy at your weight – Why they avoid traditional “wrestle-offs” and let the season sort the lineup – Managing pressure when your program expects national titles every year – Having two Vikings in the national finals & staying impartial in the corner– Key dates: Grand View Open, Baker duel, DIII Coe trip, National Duals in Cedar Falls, UNK dual in January – What makes Grand View different & why they want to “put on a show,” not wrestle conservative23:50 – Life University (#4) w/ Coach Jake Laden – Life’s trip to the Grand View Open & Jake’s allergic reaction adventure – Double-header brewery dual at Monday Night Brewing in Atlanta 🍺– Life U Open: 700+ athletes & NAIA chaos – Key dudes to watch: Maro Michel, Conlin “Tank” Weaver, Rocky Rabby, Alex Cotto, Reese Jones, Trey Morsette, Kenny Norfleet, Gabriel Jacobs & more – Rivalries & dates circled: Lander, Southeastern & National Duals – Culture shift at Life: recruiting high-character guys who love wrestling – Massive, diverse roster & representing states and countries across the map – Getting Jersey guys, Dragon RTC ties, and educating recruits on NAIA depth & two-per-weight – Old-school recruiting: cold calls, calling parents, calling coaches, and living on the phone – Life’s NCWA club team & using it to give more guys a national-tournament experience– Long-term impact: developing husbands, fathers & leaders, not just All-Americans46:34 – Southeastern University (#2) w/ Coach Travis Patrick – SEU as true Road Warriors in November: Patriot Open, VT Open, Reinhardt, Georgia Open, Emanuel, Kaiser, Life Open– Returners and impact guys: Aaron Lucio (133), Andrew Voys, Drew Jones, Mario Deator, Anthony Federico, Gentry Smith, Casten Grape, Jovon Mitchell & more – Dialing in the lineup & where weights are still up for grabs – 700-wrestler Life Open & why it’s a must-see NAIA event – Early conference duels vs Reinhardt & Kaiser – 8 of 10 wins & still plenty to clean up – System vs. adding tools: positional non-negotiables + building around each wrestler’s style – Six returning All-Americans: staying hungry without letting rankings become a cage – Loving the craft of wrestling, not just the grind – sparring, play wrestling & Penn State influence – Being the top program in Florida & recruiting against SoCon D1’s (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, etc.) – Helping recruits pick fit over logo and building men who can win on the mat and in life1:04:00 – Indiana Tech (#3) w/ Coach Thomas Pompei – Early tests: Patriot Open at Cumberlands, Trine, Findlay & D2/D1 heavy opens – Roster breakdown: ~25 returners, ~15 newcomers, freshmen breaking into the lineup – Deep battles at 125 (two-time AA + Heisy twins) & heavyweight– Early-season lessons: counters, chain wrestling, fighting through every position – WHAC Super Duals: knocking out five conference duals in one shot – Balancing competition with rest: Thanksgiving break, limited December schedule, youth tournament hosting – Recruiting hard-working students for niche majors: engineering, cyber security, computer science – How demanding majors & wrestling grind sharpen each other – Indiana HS wrestling: one-class system, brutal state tournament format & why some killers never make it to state – Building Indiana Tech from startup to national power over 15 years – Leadership, team culture, and learning to coach “less like a maniac” as you get older– What it’ll take to win a team title: staying healthy, winning blood-round matches & stacking AAs1:26:12 – Closing Thoughts / NAIA Landscape & Value 4 Value – Recap of the NAIA Top-4 landscape heading into 2025–26 – Why NAIA is one of the deepest, most slept-on divisions in college wrestling– Shoutouts to Henderson, Laden, Patrick & Pompei for making time in the middle of the grind– Reminder this episode was originally streamed live on YouTube (Nov 18, 2025) – Value-for-value closeout: likes, subs, shares & Buy Me A Coffee – “Much love from the Airey Bros” sign-off

We’re heading back to Lincroft, New Jersey with Coach Mike Tursi, head cross country coach at Brookdale Community College, fresh off a Top-10 finish at the 2025 NJCAA DIII National Championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa. 🌨️🏃‍♂️Coach Tursi has spent 37+ years on the Jersey running scene — from building a Non-Public B powerhouse at Mater Dei (four state titles, multiple Coach of the Year honors, Hall of Fame induction) to rebuilding Brookdale into a JUCO national contender.In this episode, we dive into:Brookdale’s Top-10 NJCAA DIII Nationals finish in a full-on Fort Dodge snowstorm ❄️All-Region standouts Walter Heffner, Andrew Lorig & Charles Doolittle and the full Jersey Blues 2025 squadHow Coach Tursi went from average D3 runner to building state championship teams at Mater DeiThe NJ JUCO stigma and why community college is an elite opportunity, not a consolation prizeGrowing Brookdale from “just enough guys to score” to one of the deepest rosters in Region 19Coaching philosophy: no cuts, everyone matters, everyone can improveWorking as a special education teacher and how that shapes his patience, motivation and belief in kidsTraining on Holmdel Park, Thompson Park & the Reservoir and why he avoids the track & roads for XCParents, fundraising, and what it took to raise $8,000+ to get Brookdale to NationalsFuture goals: track team/track club at Brookdale, five women across the line, and more trips to NationalsFinal Four: Mountain Dew, Pink’s “Who Knew” as a good-luck song, guilty-pleasure food, and Jersey deli talk 🥪If you’re a New Jersey high school runner or parent wondering if JUCO is the right move, this episode is for you. If you love Holmdel war stories, parochial vs public debates, and real talk about building a program from nothing, you’ll feel right at home.🎧 Listen to Airey Bros Radio: Spotify – Airey Bros RadioYouTube Instagram🏃‍♂️ Brookdale Cross Country (Recruits & Parents):📱 Coach Tursi: 732-859-5942📸 Instagram: @brookdalexc25🌐 Brookdale CC XC page: search “Brookdale Community College Cross Country”☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching Ultramarathon & endurance coaching💖 Value for Value – Support the Show: Buy us a coffee & help us keep shining a light on JUCO, D2, D3 & NAIA:Timestamped Show Notes (with hooks)00:00 – Why we love JUCO Airey Bros explain why NJCAA, D2, D3 & NAIA are close to their hearts and why they keep giving shine to junior college programs.00:42 – Show intro: back to Lincroft with Coach Tursi Howdy & aloha from Airey Bros; intro to Coach Mike Tursi, Brookdale head XC coach, Mater Dei legend, heartbeat of the Jersey Blues.1:45 – How to get recruited to Brookdale Coach shares how recruits & parents can reach him, Brookdale XC Instagram, open houses, and where he’ll be during the year (Monmouth County meets, open houses, indoor meets, etc.).4:24 – Pork roll vs Taylor ham & is Central Jersey real? The essential Jersey questions: pork roll gets the nod and Coach confirms Central Jersey is absolutely real.5:23 – PF Flyers & origin story Coach’s running origin: PF Flyers, seventh-grade gym class, running the bases, and the invite that changed everything.6:40 – Legendary Monmouth Regional days Running for Ed Scalian at Monmouth Regional; teammates who became Olympians and D1 standouts; learning to treat every athlete the same.8:02 – Early coaching influences & college days York College D3 experience, learning from multiple coaches, and patchworking a coaching philosophy from all of them.9:05 – From marketing to special ed teacher & coach Leaving advertising, becoming a special education teacher, and realizing the best coaches are often those who didn’t love school as kids.11:19 – Taking over Mater Dei & first state champ Finding a small program with one star (Tommy Namole), turning him into a county & state champ and building belief in the team.15:06 – Building a parochial B powerhouse Step-by-step: first winning season, beating Henry Hudson, and eventually leading Mater Dei to multiple division titles and the 1997 state championship.17:40 – The changing landscape of NJ high school XC Why parochial B isn’t as deep as it used to be, how COVID affected participation, and how the depth at JV has changed over time.17:40–21:27 – Leaving high school & the NJ JUCO stigma Leaving Mater Dei in 2018, landing at Brookdale with Dennis Lynn, confronting the JUCO stigma, and realizing Brookdale needed him as much as he needed Brookdale.19:20 – Rebuilding Brookdale XC from almost nothing Going from “just trying to get five guys across the line” to winning the first Region 19 title in 39 years and producing multiple All-Americans.21:55 – Growing the roster & struggles on the women’s side Roster evolution from 7–8 runners to 14+, why getting five women across the line is a major goal, and how constant outreach & open houses matter.23:25 – Recruiting: tents, flyers & talking to everyone Setting up at the Monmouth County XC meet, talking to coaches, handing out flyers, using Instagram, and bringing in athletes from New Jersey and even Virginia.26:05 – Why JUCO is a huge opportunity Convincing kids they’re better than they think, explaining the difference between racing against D1/D2/D3 in high school vs D3 JUCO, and how everyone is varsity at Brookdale — no JV, no cuts.27:28 – The 23-minute improvement story A 65:00 Holmdel runner who eventually ran 42:00 — how staying with kids, keeping them on the team, and valuing effort creates life-changing moments.28:35 – Special ed teaching & coaching style How working with special needs students shapes his motivational, positive coaching style, and why he never yells at kids for a bad race.30:31 – Fort Dodge, snow & Nationals experience Full breakdown of NJCAA DIII Nationals in Fort Dodge: snow, no falls, and why it was one of the best experiences of his 37-year career.32:28 – Chasing the Top-10 at Nationals Team goals, where Brookdale stacked up in the standings, and how close they were to 7th place with a few extra passes late in the race.34:00 – Shoutouts to the 2025 Brookdale squad All-Region runners Heffner, Lorig, Doolittle, plus Harmon, Gavin, Angel, Diego, Jason, Sabrina, and two-time All-Region runner Georgia Jones.36:03 – Latecomers & first-time runners who become studs Stories of athletes who never ran in high school, then became key scorers at Brookdale; why JUCO is perfect for late bloomers.37:47 – Building community: parents, pasta parties & fundraising, How parent involvement, pasta parties, and the Jersey Blues Invitational helped raise over $8,000 to get the team to Nationals.40:34 – The harsh reality of JUCO funding, Why Brookdale must win the region to be fully funded for Nationals, and how parents, alumni and coaches stepped up to make Fort Dodge happen.43:01 – Training philosophy: grass, parks & no track - Why Coach avoids roads and track workouts for XC, favoring Thompson Park, Holmdel, the Reservoir, and grass-based intervals that mimic race courses.46:42 – What keeps him passionate after 37 years - How coaching and teaching keep him young, why every new roster feels like a new challenge, and why he’ll only stop when he can’t bring the same energy.48:32 – Shoutouts to assistants, family & 24-year coaching partnership - Love to assistant coach Dennis Lynn, new assistant Rachel Rosano, and his wife & daughters — plus the joke about being “married” to Dennis for 24 years.52:03 – Delayed flights & airport memories - The team’s post-Nationals travel saga, sleeping in the airport, trivia at 3 AM, and why those memories are part of what makes Nationals special.54:09 – Team-first culture & never yelling about bad races - Why it’s always about the team, not individual mistakes, and how positive encouragement has kept kids running through walls for decades.55:39 – Final Four: soda, Mountain Dew & guilty pleasures - Coach doesn’t drink coffee but loves Mountain Dew, Halloween candy, chicken parm, cheesesteaks, and a good Jersey sub.1:00:03 – Music & good-luck song - Why Pink’s “Who Knew” is his pre-race good-luck song and how his daughter’s races at Elizabethtown tie into that tradition.1:03:15 – Final message to recruits & parents - Open invite to all abilities, no cuts, and why Brookdale is a place where JV kids, late bloomers, and first-time runners can thrive.1:04:19 – Outro & call to action - Airey Bros send listeners to Brookdale XC, encourage recruits to reach out, and remind NJ runners that JUCO can take you all the way to Fort Dodge and beyond.

Author, runner, and New Jersey legend Lyle Smith (@nymblegram) joins Airey Bros Radio to talk about his new book Blood, Sweat & Spikes: The Wetmore Way — a deep dive into Mark Wetmore, Bernards High School, and the NJ running culture that helped shape American distance running.From asthma and allergies to becoming a HS All-American, from small-town heroes and bus-trip mixtapes to Boulder, Niwot, and Colorado running, this episode is pure nostalgia, storytelling, and wisdom for runners, coaches, and parents.We get into:The making of Blood, Sweat & Spikes and why running needs more honest storytellingMark Wetmore’s coaching philosophy from Bernardsville to ColoradoNew Jersey’s “golden era” of distance running & the tradition that still lives onAsthma, sick buildings & how running literally changed Lyle’s lifeFeeder programs, culture, and what really builds a dynastyCollege recruiting: what Lyle wishes he knew before choosing VillanovaRegrets, honesty, and why this book became a personal therapy sessionFatherhood, Niwot XC, and watching the next generation find their own wayMovies, music, Prefontaine takes, and why Breaking Away & The Sting still hitIf you love New Jersey running, Colorado running, Mark Wetmore lore, or just want a beautifully told running story, this one’s for you.📚 Grab the book:Blood, Sweat & Spikes: The Wetmore Way🌐 Check out Lyle’s work: Books & more Follow Lyle on IG → @nymblegram🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Spotify / YouTube☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching Ultra, marathon & endurance coaching 💵 Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee ⏱ Timestamped Show Notes (for show notes section)0:00 – Cold Open & Setup Posting workflow, setting the stage, and why the bros love digging into running history.0:21 – Intro: Howdy & Aloha + Who Is Lyle Smith? ABR intro, Lyle’s NJ roots, All-American background, and overview of Blood, Sweat & Spikes: The Wetmore Way.2:42 – Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham & Is Central Jersey Real? The eternal NJ debates: breakfast meats, Driscoll Bridge, and Central vs. North vs. South Jersey.4:22 – “The Sandlot for Running” & Small-Town Heroes Why the book feels like The Sandlot for distance runners, local legends, and looking up to HS athletes as pros.8:01 – Allergies, Asthma & How Running Saved His Life Trips to Children’s Hospital & Philly specialists, “allergic to anything you could breathe,” and the doctor who prescribed exercise instead of rest.10:18 – Ed Mather, PT Barnum of Distance Running & The Rec Program Run-for-fun nights, trying every event, and how a charismatic coach got kids hooked on the sport.16:35 – NYC Midnight Run & Wetmore’s Wild Ideas Bus trips, centipede relays, Brad Hudson, and how unique races kept the team excited year-round.20:22 – Relays, Night Meets & Making Training Fun Relays as disguised workouts, Lake Takanassee stories, South Carolina relay meets, and why fun races keep kids in the sport.23:45 – Brad Hudson Urban Legends & NJ Lore Did he really see the Track & Field News rankings and run a time trial from class? Lyle can “neither confirm nor deny.”27:20 – Niwot XC, Tradition & Coaching Culture in Colorado Niwot’s small-town feel, tradition, and how today’s powerhouse teams mirror Bernards’ energy.31:23 – Feeder Programs, Soccer Kids & Building a Dynasty Why youth programs matter, pulling athletes from other sports, and the real meaning of “culture.”37:02 – The Day Lyle Tried to Quit a Race & Wetmore Drove to His House Middle school panic, running home in tears, and the coaching moment that changed everything.48:04 – Villanova, Nostalgia & College Recruiting Advice Why brand names and nostalgia can cloud judgment, what he’d tell his 17-year-old self, and how runners should evaluate schools today.52:00 – Regrets, Honesty & Writing as Therapy Why “no regrets” is a lie, how the book became a personal therapy session, and setting stories straight on Bernards recruiting myths.56:00 – Why Running Needs More Literature Comparing running to boxing, horse racing, baseball, and how books like Running with the Buffaloes fit alongside Blood, Sweat & Spikes.1:00:17 – Daily Rituals, Walking, Meditation & Showing Up as His Best Self Walking with his wife and dog, light meditation, reading daily, and intentional conversations with his son.1:01:44 – Magnolia Road, Old Teammates & Boulder Adventures Trips to Magnolia, old Bernards guys in Colorado, and how time changes the body but not the bond.1:03:39 – What Lyle’s Listening To: Pods, Books & Music - From Airey Bros Radio & Preet Bharara to Maria Ressa’s book and old Rush albums.1:03:39 – Guilty Pleasures: Golf & Movie Marathons, Caddie days in NJ, playing golf when he can, and losing weekends to a Robert Redford marathon.1:05:17 – Top Movies: The Sting, Breaking Away, Godfather & More, Film geek talk: Citizen Kane, The Sting, Breaking Away, High Fidelity, and why even “bad” movies like Caddyshack still matter.1:09:03 – Prefontaine Movies: Without Limits vs. Prefontaine, Why Without Limits is the better film but still can’t fully capture Pre.1:10:43 – Closing, Why You Need to Read the Book & Upcoming NJCAA Guests, Final thoughts from Lyle, how to grab the book, and ABR’s upcoming Brookdale CC & NJCAA wrestling preview episodes.

This episode of Airey Bros Radio was originally streamed LIVE on YouTube on November 3, 2025 and is now available on all podcast platforms. 🎙️We’re sitting down with Coach Colin Lamb, the new Director of Distance Running & Associate Head Coach for Track & Field at Lander University, to talk about building a Division II distance program the right way.Fresh off his July 2025 hire, Coach Lamb joins Airey Bros Radio to break down:🏃‍♂️ His journey from Dayton student-athlete to SMU assistant and now Bearcat leader📈 How he’s building Lander’s distance program and establishing a new culture in the Peach Belt Conference🎓 Recruiting vision, training philosophy, and life in Greenwood, South Carolina💸 Why Lander’s frozen tuition, in-state value, facilities, and support staff make it a serious option for distance runners💪 Strength & conditioning, athletic training, and what it takes to create a championship-caliber DII programIf you’re a high school athlete, parent, or coach looking beyond the usual Power 4 schools, this episode gives a legit look at DII opportunities and what kind of kids can help Lander make noise nationally.🔗 Watch the original livestream replay on YouTube🎧 Listen & subscribe to Airey Bros Radio: Spotify /YouTube☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching – ultramarathon coaching, nutrition, and performance support💖 Value-for-Value / Support the Show: Buy Me a Coffee⏱️ ABR Time-Stamped Show Notes0:00 – Cold open: how Airey Bros found Lander through wrestling & wanted Coach Lamb on0:27 – ABR intro, mission & Black Sheep Endurance shoutout1:04 – Introducing Coach Colin Lamb & his new role at Lander University2:30 – Socials & where to send recruits (Lander XCTF + Coach Lamb IG)3:20 – Origin story: outrunning classmates, youth club, early mileage4:40 – Coaching roots with his dad & youth coaching experiences5:54 – Dayton → SMU: psychology degree, sport management master’s & volunteer coaching8:05 – Why Lander? Location, family, facilities & AD Brian Reese’s vision9:46 – Rebuilding a young program & chasing Peach Belt / regional relevance11:00 – In-state recruiting, freshman-heavy roster & overlooked SC talent13:14 – Culture reset after three coaches in four years14:04 – What kind of student-athletes fit Lander (no-excuse grinders)16:01 – Roster breakdown: SC-heavy squad with a few out-of-state additions16:44 – State school value: lottery money, academic aid & 11 years of frozen tuition18:14 – DII homey feel vs SMU’s big-time model & access to administration19:04 – How SMU built a big recruiting class with a $90K price tag20:25 – Family-centered recruiting & explaining value and cost to parents21:49 – Discovering hidden programs like Lander through shows like ABR22:08 – High school recruiting vs transfer portal & having a long-term plan23:31 – Building a three-season program in XC, indoor & outdoor track24:32 – First XC season at Lander: progress, expectations & measuring growth26:03 – Selling recruits on being part of program history & first-time achievements27:05 – Weather, practice times & why morning sessions win in the South28:11 – Training grounds: gravel loops, farm XC course, paved path & campus loop30:00 – First All-Conference runner in 16 years & a big school record31:03 – Southeast Regional preview & goals for men and women32:28 – Who’s who in the region: Wingate, Catawba, Anderson, Flagler & more33:29 – Peach Belt breakdown & DII competition across XC and track34:02 – Double threshold talk: where Lander is at & weighing risk vs reward35:40 – Training philosophy: mileage, consistency & getting 95% out of athletes37:08 – Multi-sport kids, low mileage backgrounds & finding “diamonds in the rough”38:13 – Social media vs phone calls in modern recruiting39:04 – Has he settled in yet? First months on the job & constant travel42:03 – A day in the life: CEO of a small business (budget, study hall, admin)44:38 – Campus growth, enrollment boom & long-term stability at Lander45:49 – Campus vibe: pool, cabana, single rooms, Chick-fil-A & Starbucks48:03 – Strength & conditioning, weight room setup & support staff49:01 – How they pair strength sessions with long runs & workouts51:11 – Training outdoors year-round & minimal need for indoor track52:21 – Notes app to-do lists, staying grounded & not fixing everything in a day54:02 – Music rotation: female pop stars, EDM, Two Friends & early 2000s rap56:33 – Guilty pleasures: McDonald’s cookie tote, pies, bakery runs & pecan pie59:35 – Final thoughts on building Lander XC/TF & what’s ahead for the Bearcats1:00:00 – ABR outro & tease for the next episode

Recorded October 29, 2025 — just weeks before Tallahassee — this conversation with Indiana Wesleyan Head Cross Country Coach Brody Beiler hits different now that the Wildcats went on to win the 2025 NAIA Men’s Cross Country National Championship on November 21, 2025, and Coach Beiler was named NAIA Men’s XC Coach of the Year. 🏆🔥At the time of this recording, IWU’s men were ranked #2 in the NAIA and the women #4, coming off years of top-5 finishes and a rising national profile. Coach Beiler walks us through the faith-driven culture, competitive mindset, and long-term vision that helped turn Indiana Wesleyan into a NAIA powerhouse.We dive into:📍 Coach Beiler’s journey from Pennsylvania kid to college All-American to NAIA head coach🏫 Taking the baton from legendary coach John Foss and honoring 40+ years of foundation✝️ How Indiana Wesleyan balances competitiveness and Christ-centered identity (“both/and,” not either/or)🧠 Training philosophy: thresholds, doubles, cross-training, Boost treadmills, and actually keeping easy days easy🏟️ Facilities, IWU’s home XC course, and hosting 7,000+ HS & MS athletes every year🎓 Academics, recruiting niche student-athletes, and building a national-caliber roster in Marion, Indiana🧭 The “CAT” recruiting acronym (Curiosity of faith • Attitude • Talent)🧺 Coach-as-CEO: budgets, big-picture projects, and fighting “disordered loves” to keep faith, family, and sport in order📦 The Romans 12 “phone box,” daily practices, and what it means to truly “run free”Whether you’re a high school athlete, a coach, or a running nerd who loves NAIA and small-college XC, this is a killer time capsule of a team on the brink of its first national title.🎙 Airey Bros Radio — shining a light on the programs, coaches & athletes we wish we had access to growing up.☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching – ultramarathon coaching & nutrition🔗 Listen & Subscribe:YouTube: @aireybrosSpotify: Airey Bros RadioApple Podcasts: Airey Bros RadioSupport the show: Buy Me a CoffeeTime-Stamped Show Notes0:00 – 1:07 - Why Airey Bros Radio shines a light on NAIA, JUCO, D2 & D3 + setting the table for Indiana Wesleyan XC.1:08 – 3:42 - Howdy & aloha intro • Full bio on Coach Brody Beiler • Taking over IWU XC after 37-year head coach John Foss • Socials and contact info for recruits & parents (IWUXCTF Instagram, email, etc.).3:47 – 7:58 - Brody’s origin story: small-town Pennsylvania, a 2:22 marathoner high school coach, falling in love with running, college experiences at Lipscomb & Messiah, and how faith reshaped his life and career.8:05 – 10:21- Grad school, higher ed & student ministry • How those degrees help him coach 18–22 year-olds through relationships, adversity, and big life transitions.10:26 – 13:42 - Year 2 at Indiana Wesleyan: preseason rankings vs current reality (men #2, women #4) • Young roster, big recruiting class, and keeping everyone healthy, hungry, and joyful in championship season.13:42 – 15:54 - Taking the baton from Coach Foss: what was already in place, pressure vs blessing, and navigating change while honoring decades of tradition and culture.15:01 – 17:32 - Training talk: double threshold experiments, how he structures hard days vs easy days, heart-rate ranges, and making sure “easy” really is easy.17:33 – 21:34 - Cross-training and recovery: ellipticals, arc trainers, Boost zero-gravity treadmills, aqua jogging, and “motion is lotion.”21:34 – 26:03 - Facilities & home-course advantage: IWU’s flat, fast cross country course, indoor track, 9-lane outdoor track, athletic training staff, and Olympic-level support staff.26:03 – 29:03 - Hosting massive middle & high school meets (7,000+ athletes per year), building revenue for the program, and giving prospective recruits a front-row view of Indiana Wesleyan.29:03 – 25:55 - (approx): Recruiting philosophy & pipeline: local vs national reach, reactive vs proactive recruiting, social media as a window into team culture, and landing niche fits from places like Washington state.25:55 – 33:40 - The “niche school” advantage & CAT acronym:C – Curiosity of faithA – Attitude (happy, healthy, hungry)T – Talent Why he recruits to Indiana Wesleyan’s mission, not just to himself.33:40 – 37:15 - Balancing competitiveness & Christ-centeredness: “both/and” culture, identity beyond results, and the idea of “running free” from Hebrews12.37:15 – 40:23 - Head coach as CEO: budgeting, long-term facility projects (course upgrades, berms, bathrooms), and leaning on mentors like Coach Foss to build a 37-year coaching career, not a 3-year burnout.40:23 – 43:26 - Process > outcome: Mike Smith, podcast learning, and why chasing a national title isn’t enough if you don’t enjoy the journey and grow your athletes as people.43:26 – 48:06 - Crossroads League & NAIA landscape: conference rivals (Taylor, Grace, etc.), key athletes to watch like Trent Sweet & Josh Bainbridge, and why nothing is promised in championship racing.48:06 – 51:34 - Five-year vision: contending for a national title every year, best recruiting class in school history on the way, and building a staff & culture that can sustain success.51:34 – 55:55 - Academics & campus life: nursing, engineering, business, ministry majors; chapel requirements; weekly Bible studies; 2,000 undergrads and a campus that surprises first-time visitors.55:55 – 57:35 - Daily practices & the Romans 12 “phone box”: waging war on busyness, putting the phone away to be present with his wife and daughter, and resisting the urge to always be “on” as a coach.57:35 – 1:00:02 - Walks, worship music, favorite podcasts (Running Effect, Christian content), Jack Daniels’ Running Formula, and learning from legends of the sport.1:00:02 – 1:01:25Guilty pleasures, ultra talk, and closing: Brody fires up the Bros, invites them to Marion for a visit (and some IWU gear), and the Bros set the goal of sending a New Jersey athlete to Indiana Wesleyan.

Ladies and gentlemen — howdy & aloha!In this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we’re lacing them up and heading down to Columbia, Missouri for a deep dive into Missouri Tigers Cross Country and a full preview of the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships at Gans Creek with Mizzou Head Cross Country & Distance Coach Kyle Levermore.Coach Levermore is a North Jersey native who starred at Don Bosco Prep, battled with Christian Brothers Academy at Homedale Park, and went on to run at Oregon and Arkansas before jumping into coaching at Georgetown. With a background in sports industry management, sports marketing, and now working on his MBA, Kyle is helping turn Mizzou XC into a Top-25 NCAA program while the Tigers get ready to host nationals on their home course at Gans Creek.We cover:🐯 Inside Mizzou XC & Gans CreekHow Missouri built toward hosting the 2025 NCAA Cross Country ChampionshipsTurning a struggling SEC squad into Top-25 men’s (22nd) and women’s (23rd) teamsUsing regular-season races to “do ourselves favors” with at-large pointsSECs, a loaded Midwest Region with Oklahoma State, and the mindset heading into championship season🧠 Origin Story: Don Bosco, CBA & New Jersey running cultureGrowing up in a multi-sport household: soccer, ski racing, swimming, trackGetting rejected by Don Bosco, emailing the coach & admissions, and getting himself admitted at 14High standards vs burnout: “sports factory” done right, culture, and leadershipHomedale Park, rivalries with Christian Brothers Academy, and the legendary Bosco/CBA battles🌍 Recruiting, International Athletes & NILWhy Kyle recruits Missouri first, then the region, then the rest of the U.S. and worldWorking with agencies, tracking World U20 lists, British Power of 10, European descending order lists, and trips as far as AustraliaHis defense of international recruiting in the NCAA and why diversity makes teams betterHelping Kenyan and other international athletes adjust to food, weather, and culture (shoutout to the African store in Columbia and team “international food nights”)Honest talk on NIL & scholarships: why a scholarship is an investment, not a reward, and how he recruits athletes who want Mizzou for more than the money🏃‍♂️ Training Philosophy & Double ThresholdsComing from a strength-based system and methodically adding double threshold trainingWho gets to do double threshold (and who doesn’t)How the Tigers structure cycles: 3 weeks of double threshold / 1 week long tempo, and how this year’s group differs from last yearDeveloping range from 800m up through 10K, and why Kyle refuses to recruit “one-trick ponies”📈 Coaching, Marketing Brain & Hosting NCAAsHow Kyle uses his degrees in advertising and sports industry management + current MBA in day-to-day coachingApplying business strategy (like Porter’s Five Forces) to recruiting and program buildingHis role as a “marketing consultant” for Gans Creek meets, seeding 95 teams at the Gans Creek Classic, and collaborating with Columbia Parks & Rec and Mizzou events staff☕️ Final Four: Coffee, Training, Music & Guilty PleasuresKyle’s coffee obsession: espresso, AeroPress, Chemex, Onyx Coffee Lab “Southern Weather”, and geeking out on water profilesHybrid training, lifting, maybe a HYROX race in the futureEDM & electronic playlists for training and coachingIce cream (mint chocolate chip), UberEats benders, and a good old New Jersey bagel with Taylor hamIf you’re into college distance running, SEC XC, NCAA Cross Country strategy, double threshold training, recruiting (domestic & international), or just love hearing a Jersey coach build a big-time program in the SEC, this one’s for you.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a recruit, parent, or coach who needs to hear it.🔗 Links & Handles🎥 Airey Bros Radio YouTube📸 Instagram🏃‍♂️ Black Sheep Endurance Coaching (Ultra & nutrition coaching):☕ Support the Show — Buy Me a Coffee:🐯 Mizzou Distance & Coach Levermore:IG: @mizdistancexcIG: @kylelevermore

Howdy & aloha! Episode 414 of Airey Bros Radio brings us back to New Jersey as we sit down with Coach Nicol Starkes, Associate Head Coach for Rutgers Cross Country & Track & Field — one of the brightest rising programs in the Big Ten.Coach Starkes has played a major role in Rutgers’ distance resurgence, guiding the Scarlet Knights to school records in the 800, 1500, mile, 3000, and DMR, multiple NCAA All-Region honors, and the best team finishes in program history.A former NCAA All-American, six-time A-10 Champion, and Olympic Trials Qualifier, she’s also a member of both the Ridge High School and University of Richmond Halls of Fame.In this deep-dive, we cover:Building Rutgers into a Big Ten contenderCoaching philosophy, athlete development & cultureDouble-threshold training & lactate testingRecruiting New Jersey talentNIL, transfer portal, academics & campus lifeCoach Starkes’ athletic journey + Gags storiesProgram vision for XC/Indoor/Outdoor T&FIf you’re a runner, recruit, coach, parent, or NJ XC/TF nerd — this is a MUST-listen.☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Watch on YouTube🌎 All links💛 Support the showSHOW NOTES + TIMESTAMP 0:00 – ABR Intro: Why We Shine Light on ALL Levels1:07 – Official episode open: Howdy & Aloha1:40 – Intro: Coach Nicol Starkes + Rutgers accomplishments3:11 – Coach joins the showCoach’s Early Life & Running Journey3:17 – Origin story: Swimming ➝ HS running ➝ Meet of Champs6:00 – Transition from swimming to distance running7:03 – Recruiting to Richmond, NCAA experience8:43 – Injury, graduation, and joining NJNY Track Club9:45 – Training under Coach Gagliano10:28 – Coaching at NYU & early D3 experienceRutgers Era: Rebuilding the NJ Distance Powerhouse11:05 – Getting hired at Rutgers11:24 – Promotion to Associate Head Coach11:31 – How the role changes (training, science, leadership)12:11 – Using lactate testing with exercise physiologist Morgan Murray12:34 – Recruiting responsibilities as a mom/coach2025 XC Season & Big Ten Outlook13:08 – Season progress recap13:46 – Princeton Invite takeaways14:03 – Big Ten Course breakdown (Michigan State)15:03 – New Jersey’s brutal Holmdel flashbacksTraining Philosophy16:49 – Double-threshold training at Rutgers17:45 – How they structure double-T days18:48 – Keeping athletes healthy & consistent19:38 – Monitoring Strava + avoiding “secret workouts”Facilities, Campuses & Daily Life at Rutgers21:21 – Running routes on Piscataway campus22:47 – Training at Colonial Park, Johnson Park, Columbia Trail23:22 – How RU’s 4-campus layout actually works24:52 – Academic pathways & campus culture27:00 – On-campus vs off-campus living - Recruiting & New Jersey Roots28:31 – Why NJ runners should give RU a real look29:43 – NIL impact on Rutgers T&F31:07 – Transfer portal philosophy33:23 – Targeting NJ athletes looking to come home34:39 – Academic reputation & career pathways35:30 – Internship power of the NYC-area36:05 – Scarlet Knights for Life career developmentAthlete Development & Coaching Philosophy37:48 – What post-college running looks like38:54 – Being 10% coach, 90% therapist40:57 – Freshman maturity & life skills42:18 – What type of athlete Rutgers recruits48:02 – Building culture + trusting team captains49:00 – The new era of Rutgers DistanceFun Questions & NJ Culture4:14 – Taylor Ham or Pork Roll?4:51 – Is Central Jersey real?50:03 – Jersey pride in the program55:17 – Water/Wudder & NJ accents56:16 – Coffee habits + Chick-fil-A milkshake breakdown57:23 – Daily rituals, fitness & staying strong59:48 – What she listens to (Spotify mixes)1:01:01 – Team Jersey in college1:01:27 – Guilty pleasures: Chick-fil-A wins1:03:24 – Secret menu: Frosted Coffee1:04:02 – Closing gratitude + Big Tens & postseason outlook

Ladies & gentlemen — Howdy & Aloha! Welcome back to another episode of Airey Bros Radio — shining a light on the programs, athletes, and storytellers we wish we had access to growing up.Today we’re heading back to the mountains with returning guest Emily Coggin — ER nurse, mountain athlete, longtime Black Sheep Endurance athlete, and fresh off a breakout performance at the 2025 Run Rabbit Run 100, where she finished 2nd overall in a massive 26:39:07 personal best.Emily breaks down the storm-filled chaos, the 40% drop rate, the mental chess match of 100 miles, and how she ran nearly 80% of a brutally difficult course. We talk about balancing ER night shifts with ultra training, real-food fueling, European mountain adventures, pacing strategies, and her big goals ahead, including a Leadville 100 big buckle attempt.This episode is a masterclass in durability, mindset, real-food performance, and what happens when experience, preparation, and self-belief all collide on race day.⏱️ Time-Stamped Show Notes00:00 – Howdy & Aloha + ABR Intro Show mission, value-for-value reminder, Black Sheep Endurance shout-out.01:00 – Guest Intro: Who Is Emily Coggin? Run Rabbit Run 100 (26:39:07, 2nd overall), Leadville 100 finisher, JFK 50, Never Summer 100K, ER nurse, mountain athlete.02:00 – Where to Find Emily Her low-key Instagram, dogs, skiing, running, and celebrating the Black Sheep journey.03:03 – Following a 100-Miler in Real Time Tracking splits overnight, refresh-refresh-refresh, and seeing Emily’s PR unfold.03:17 – How the Race Unfolded Comparing 2019 to 2025, sub-30 goal, knowing the terrain, and trusting her training.04:47 – Course Knowledge, Mental Math & Staying Locked In Why vert, mileage, and constant mental math keep her focused.06:06 – Feeling Good Early & Knowing When to Push Experience from 30+ ultras & 8 hundred-milers paying off.07:45 – Being a Second-Half Runner Patience early, “I’ll see you in six hours,” and running her race.08:45 – What Surprised Her Most Running ~80% of the course thanks to a summer focused on running mileage.09:35 – The Power of Great PacersLetting Corey push her, “poke me with love,” and running every runnable inch at 2 a.m.10:58 – Mile 95: Letting It Rip 6.5-mile downhill, 3,500 feet descent, running 8-minute pace at the end.12:08 – The Storm: Hail, Rain, Cold & a 40% Drop Rate Trail turned into a river, hypothermia risks, why a real rain jacket saved her race.14:10 – Mental Battle Through the Low Point One focus: get down, get dry clothes, get to crew.17:17 – Pacer BreakdownTravis (off-the-couch gold medalist) + Corey with 38 miles of pushing.18:23 – When Your Pacer Starts Racing Travis unknowingly dropping 11:30 uphill pace & Emily realizing she could actually race, not survive.19:58 – Fueling: Pancakes, Pierogis & PB&J Skipping most aid stations, relying on real food & crew.20:59 – Scott Jurek Pancakes & Speedgoat Hash Browns Iconic aid-station moment before the final descent.22:18 – European Mountains as Training Block Switzerland → Chamonix → Dolomites. Three weeks of perfect vert.23:50 – Euro Trails vs Colorado More technical, steeper, less forgiving — and why that helped.25:16 – UTMB Curiosity Loves the route; less interested in the 3,000-runner race vibe.26:12 – 30+ Ultras Deep: Feeling Like a Vet Experience leading to confidence instead of impostor syndrome.30:54 – ER Night Shifts & 100-Mile Training Why night shifts help with race fatigue but strain recovery.33:32 – Stress Training: Running After Working Overnight Built-in training stimulus no one wants but actually works.34:36 – Post-Race Reflection & Regret Learning she was only 5 minutes behind the winner.35:31 – The Track PTSD & Pain Memory Old suffering from 800m days & rediscovering willingness to push.40:06 – Leadville Big-Buckle Ambition Why she believes sub-25 is absolutely in reach.42:46 – Advice to Her High-School Self Let go of outcomes, run for joy, don’t tie identity to results.45:15 – Training Joy vs Pace Obsession Courtney Dauwalter inspiration & ditching the watch mentality.47:04 – What’s Next: 50K, Nordic Race, Lottery Dreams Aiming for a Leadville qualifier coin, future Hardrock/WSER hopes.48:37 – Coffee, Core, Dogs & Daily Rituals Oat milk latte; 10 minutes of core; always outside; dog joy.50:03 – Books, Music & What She’s Loving Kiera D’Amato’s book, “Say Nothing,” Fred again.., Sofi Tukker.51:34 – Guilty Pleasure That’s Not GuiltyNFL obsession & Ravens fandom.53:27 – Gratitude & Coaching Journey 8 years with Black Sheep Endurance & watching her evolution.55:20 – Outro & Upcoming Guests Rutgers’ Nicole Starks + Jayhawk Conference XC Roundtable.YouTubeInstagram: @aireybrosradioCoaching: Buy Us a Coffee

In Episode 413 of Airey Bros Radio we sit down with Chris Lear — the voice of American distance running and co-author of Beyond Fast: How a Renegade Coach and His Unlikely High School Team Revolutionized Distance Running (with Andrew Greif & Sean Brosnan).Lear’s work has shaped how an entire generation understands the sport through three modern classics:Running with the Buffaloes — inside Mark Wetmore’s legendary 1998 Colorado squadSub 4:00 — Alan Webb’s wild, painful, electrifying chase for the mileBeyond Fast — the Newbury Park XC revolution under Coach Sean BrosnanWe talk origin stories, writing, culture and what really separates good programs from all-time great ones. From Summit, NJ and Pingry to Princeton, Boulder, Ann Arbor and Newbury Park, this one is a masterclass in storytelling and running culture.In this episode, we cover:Chris’s origin story in running and growing up a “slow twin” turned 4:09 milerHow a legendary high school coach and a sub-6 t-shirt club lit the sparkThe making of Running with the Buffaloes and why it almost didn’t get publishedInside Sub 4:00 — injuries, doubt and what Alan Webb taught Chris about toughnessHow Beyond Fast came together with Sean Brosnan & Andrew GreifWhat makes Newbury Park’s training model different — and why it could change US distance runningCulture, buy-in and why 17-for-17 PRs matter more than times on paperGetting back into running as a busy dad with a full-time jobGambling, baseball cards & why Chris wants track & field trading cards to existIf you love distance running, high school XC, coaching, writing, or just good stories told well, this one is for you.🎙 Airey Bros Radio — shining a light on the programs, coaches & storytellers we wish we had growing up.SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Why Airey Bros Radio covers JUCO, NAIA, D2/D3 and the “Power 4” media gap1:41 – Official Howdy & Aloha intro + full bio for guest author Chris Lear4:00 – Last Chance U, JUCO storytelling & dreaming of a XC/wrestling doc series4:32 – Where to find Beyond Fast, Running with the Buffaloes & Sub 4:005:02 – NJ lightning round: pork roll vs Taylor ham & is Central Jersey real?6:11 – Jersey thru-lines: Terrence Fagan, 90s distance legends & toughness8:09 – Chris’s origin story in running: Summit NJ, Mr. Keebler & the sub-6 t-shirt club10:06 – From worst football team in school history to “no politics in track”13:30 – Twin rivalry: “slow twin vs good twin,” the mile, and first sub-5 experience16:23 – Coach Meg Waldron, Bernards HS monsters & discovering great running books19:03 – Reading everything: Once a Runner, Friday Night Lights & wanting better running stories20:53 – Princeton, sociology, thesis writing & the seed that led to Running with the Buffaloes21:53 – Covering Colorado & Webb in real time vs. writing Beyond Fast from afar24:00 – How the Beyond Fast collaboration actually worked (Lear + Brosnan + Greif)29:39 – What great programs share: culture, trust & wanting something bigger than yourself33:07 – What makes Newbury Park’s training different and why coaches say it could change the sport35:15 – Where the Newbury Park boys are now & why they weren’t “burned out” in high school37:59 – Building culture from scratch, patience in coaching & Rich’s 17-for-17 PR 5K story41:05 – Getting back into running in midlife, true easy days & avoiding the classic “old guy injury” loop45:02 – How big projects change you and why Chris is now getting up at 3 a.m. to run47:59 – Balancing a demanding day job, family life & a passion-project book49:54 – The long road of Running with the Buffaloes: self-publishing, rejection & cult status53:59 – How Sub 4:00 helps injured athletes + where running and wrestling cultures overlap56:35 – Short kings, weight classes & why wrestling and distance running feel like “home”58:18 – Process over outcomes, consistency, and why improving still feels magical1:01:03 – Final Four: coffee rituals, daily practices, playlists, podcasts & what Chris is reading1:05:39 – Guilty pleasures: casinos, sports betting & the Mickey Mantle/Yogi Berra grail card1:08:10 – Dreaming up track & field trading cards + closing thoughts & upcoming Airey Bros episodesLINKSWatch & subscribe on YouTubeListen on Spotify Find us on Apple Podcasts: search “Airey Bros Radio”Follow on InstagramExplore Rich’s ultra & endurance coachingSupport the show (value-for-value)

Episode 412 — 2025 3C2A (CCCAA) Cross Country State Championship Preview | Hartnell, Cuyamaca & Moorpark at Woodward ParkEpisode Description (Airey Bros Radio – Special Report)Ladies & gentlemen — Howdy & Aloha!Episode 412 is a special Airey Bros Radio JUCO XC State Championship Preview as we head to Woodward Park in Fresno, CA for the 2025 3C2A / CCCAA Cross Country State Championships.We sit down with three of the top California community college cross country programs to break down NorCal & SoCal regionals, Woodward Park strategy, key athletes, and what it really takes to win a 3C2A state title at the JUCO level.Guests & Programs Featured:🐾 Hartnell College (NorCal) – Head Coach Christopher ZepedaMen & Women both top-3 at NorCal“McFarland-style” program built from Monterey County ag communitiesOne of the most consistent programs in 3C2A history🟢 Cuyamaca College (SoCal) – Head Coach Tim SeamanMen’s team ranked near the top of the stateTwo-time Olympian in the racewalk & American record holder“David vs Goliath” mindset vs the big SoCal powers💙 Moorpark College (SoCal) – Head Coach Maggie ShearerMen’s & Women’s conference championsTommy White & Maya Natarajan – SoCal individual championsBuilding a leadership-driven, gratitude-based cultureIf you’re a high school runner, parent, or coach looking for real options beyond NCAA D1, this episode is a deep dive into the 3C2A / CCCAA pathway: academic value, transfer pipelines, and how California JUCOs develop All-Americans, national qualifiers, and complete humans.We cover:2025 3C2A Cross Country State Championship preview at Woodward Park (Fresno, CA)NorCal & SoCal regional recaps and momentum heading into stateCourse breakdown: hills, rhythm, where races are won & lostJUCO vs NJCAA vs NCAA – how California’s CCCAA system fits into the national pictureAthlete development, recruiting local, and changing the stigma around community collegeStories from athletes driving 60–90 minutes to practice, first-gen students, and programs built from farm towns & working-class familiesTraining philosophy: consistency over “hero weeks,” silver-medal weeks vs burnout, how many “hard days” JUCO athletes really needRacewalk rabbit hole: U.S. Olympians, Madison Square Garden, Melrose Games, NAIA racewalk, and building national champions out of CuyamacaMoorpark’s culture: athlete-led accountability, hard conversations, and using gratitude as a performance toolChampionship Info:🏆 2025 3C2A / CCCAA State Cross Country Championships📍 Woodward Park – Fresno, California📅 Saturday, November 22, If you’re serious about JUCO XC, California community college running, or Woodward Park course intel, this is your state-meet homework.Follow & Support Airey Bros Radio:🎥 YouTube 🎧 Spotify 📱 Instagram☕ Buy Me a Coffee 🏃‍♂️ Coaching

Ladies and gentlemen, howdy & aloha — we are HERE, you are THERE, and you’re now rockin’ with the best. This episode of Airey Bros Radio is a full 2025–26 NJCAA Wrestling Season Preview roundtable featuring four of the top JUCO wrestling programs in the nation.We go belly to belly with:Clackamas CC – Head Coach Brett Sanchez (2025 national runner-up)Iowa Central – Head Coach Luke Moffitt (7x NJCAA team champions)Indian Hills – Head Coach Cole Spree (defending national champions)Western Wyoming – Head Coach Art Castillo (multi-time NJCAA national champions)If you’re a wrestler, recruit, parent, coach, or true JUCO wrestling junkie, this is your official 2025–26 NJCAA Wrestling preseason preview. We break down returning All-Americans, impact freshmen, transfers, key duals, team culture, and what it’ll take to win a team trophy in Council Bluffs.This episode is fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching and powered by our value-for-value model. If you get value from the show, consider giving a little value back:Buy Me a CoffeeCONNECT WITH AIREY BROS RADIO:Instagram: @aireybrosradioYouTubeSpotify⏱️ TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES 00:00 – Howdy & aloha intro, value-for-value, Buy Me a Coffee link01:12 – Tonight’s NJCAA wrestling roundtable lineup02:21 – Clackamas CC – Coach Brett Sanchez joins03:30 – Early season recap, Mountaineer Weekend, SWOCC dual04:02 – Southern Oregon preview, managing recovery04:25 – What’s different about this year’s team05:22 – Key returners: Reggie Resiz, Henry Dillingham06:32 – Impact freshmen & transfers: Zuniga, Ruiz, Bernard, Josie08:26 – California & Clovis/Buchanan pipeline09:59 – Room culture and regional pride11:19 – What kind of recruit fits Clackamas13:06 – Standards and expectations14:48 – Redshirting philosophy17:02 – Dillingham’s weight class adjustments18:20 – Key dates on schedule19:51 – Leading Clackamas into a new era22:46 – NJCAA vs NWAC structure24:40 – Cool crossover: XC scoring wrestler26:30 – Closing with Coach Sanchez27:02 – Iowa Central – Coach Luke Moffitt joins27:53 – Early opens and finalists29:01 – Dual meets as progression29:26 – Growth moments vs Iowa Lakes30:34 – First semester philosophy31:24 – Jan 21 Iowa Central vs Indian Hills on IPTV32:35 – Conference title vs Nationals33:55 – Coaching evolution over 20 years35:10 – Key returners37:49 – The Iowa Central athlete profile38:48 – Lineup battles40:02 – Guys who weren't starters but became champs41:50 – Phil Haw story43:48 – NJ → Iowa pipeline45:43 – Burroughs upset story46:52 – Closing with Coach Moffitt47:17 – Indian Hills – Coach Cole Spree joins47:48 – Early season overview48:52 – 2–0 start and lineup building49:49 – Returning champs' mindset50:34 – New challenges with veteran roster52:12 – Newcomers already making noise53:27 – Under-the-radar recruiting54:50 – Key duals, North Idaho, IPT57:33 – National TV exposure59:19 – Balancing NJCAA vs 4-year opens1:00:20 – Recruiting boost after national title1:01:26 – NIL reality check1:02:29 – Building student-athletes, not just wrestlers1:03:53 – Where to watch Indian Hills duals1:05:00 – Fan experience & home duals1:05:23 – Closing with Coach Spree1:05:28 – Western Wyoming – Coach Art Castillo joins1:06:00 – On the bus to Snow College1:07:00 – Early season recap1:08:44 – Returning All-Americans1:10:02 – Why athletes stay in Rock Springs1:10:46 – New faces: Stockton Allen, Trevan Gates1:11:37 – Veteran lineup dynamics1:12:12 – Key events: UNK, Reno, National Duals1:13:34 – Long bus travel, recovery, balance1:15:05 – Study hall on wheels1:16:23 – Old-school vs new-school bus culture1:18:41 – Coaching evolution1:20:06 – Building the program from scratch1:22:04 – CrossFit integration1:22:23 – Going all-in on coaching1:23:41 – Vision, belief, proving doubters wrong1:25:01 – Final thoughts on this team1:25:44 – Closing with Coach Castillo1:26:12 – Outro – value-for-value, Buy Me a Coffee reminder, upcoming episodes

Episode 410 of Airey Bros Radio breaks down one of the most chaotic, unforgettable NJCAA championship weekends ever — the 2025 NJCAA Cross Country & Half Marathon National Championships in snow-covered Fort Dodge, Iowa.A full blizzard turned the XC course into a survival test and the half marathon into a grit fest. Tonight, five of the top programs in the country join us to relive every moment — the wins, the adversity, the strategy changes, and the championship celebrations.Featuring:• Mesa CC – Coach Daniel Pescador: DII Women’s National Champions | Men 5th• College of DuPage – Coach Mallory Dominguez: DIII Women’s National Champions | Men Runner-Up• Odessa College – Coach Chris Beene: DI Women’s National Champions | Half Marathon Champions• Iowa Central – Coach Dee Brown: DI Men’s National Champions | Host School• Iowa Western – Coach Marc Bierbaum: Men’s Half Marathon National Champions | Women Runner-UpWe dive into:– Racing through a whiteout snowstorm– XC race plan adjustments & spike decisions– Saturday XC breakdowns across D1, D2 & D3– Monday Half Marathon results– Key athletes, huge moves & gritty performances– What these results mean heading into indoor & outdoor trackHosted by Airey Bros RadioYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Aireybros Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradioFueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching https://www.blacksheependurance.com/SHOW NOTES Coach Daniel Pescador – Mesa Community CollegeDII Women’s National Champions | Men 5th7:00 – Coach joins7:15 – Blizzard morning reaction7:50 – Adjusting race plans & spikes8:40 – Olivia Baker’s fall + concussion mid-race9:20 – Paradise Valley challenge10:50 – Mesa defends its title12:00 – Mesa Men finish 5th13:00 – Team celebration14:30 – Indoor track plansCoach Mallory Dominguez – College of DuPageDIII Women’s National Champions | Men Runner-Up20:00 – Coach joins20:20 – “The girls were excited to race in the snow”21:40 – Men’s race helped prep the women22:50 – Visibility & course navigation24:10 – COD women take control early25:45 – Men’s runner-up finish27:00 – Celebration + recovery28:20 – First women’s XC title in school history29:40 – Half marathon recap31:20 – Building future depthCoach Chris Beene – Odessa CollegeDI Women’s XC Champions | Half Marathon Champions40:00 – Coach joins40:15 – Weather shock: expected rain, got blizzard41:20 – Emotional meaning behind this title42:15 – Rukia & Kadine overcome adversity43:40 – When he knew Odessa was winning45:00 – First XC title in program history46:30 – Half Marathon dominance47:50 – Culture, recruiting & what’s nextCoach Dee Brown – Iowa CentralDI Men’s XC National Champions | Meet Host55:00 – Coach joins55:10 – Panic on Saturday morning56:00 – Coaches clearing snow manually57:25 – DIII athletes “create the path”58:40 – Iowa Central vs Hutch battle1:00:10 – Winning at home1:02:00 – Monday half marathon recap1:03:20 – Hosting challenges & victoriesCoach Marc Bierbaum – Iowa WesternMen’s Half Marathon Champions | Women Runner-Up DI XC1:10:00 – Coach joins1:10:30 – Women grinding through the blizzard1:11:50 – Mid-race strategy adjustments1:13:15 – Back-to-back men’s half marathon titles1:14:40 – Women win the half marathon title1:16:10 – Full Fort Dodge weekend recap1:17:45 – Transitioning into track season1:20:00 – OutroThanking all coaches, ABR weekly schedule, Peace, love & happiness — The Airey Bros are out

Rider University Director of Cross Country & Track & Field Bob Hamer joins Airey Bros Radio to discuss how the Broncs built a complete team — sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws & distance — and turned under-the-radar recruits into conference champions and even Olympic Trials qualifiers.We cover Hamer’s origin story (Penn State roots & Coach Groves), Rider’s developmental culture, the mental side of performance, and his take on training trends like double-threshold. Plus — favorite NJ/PA training spots, academic majors, MAAC rivalries, and why he swears Central Jersey exists.🕐 In This Episode0:00 – Intro / Howdy & AlohaThe Bros head back to Jersey to chat with Rider University Director of XC & TF Bob Hamer. Pork roll vs. Taylor Ham settled early.4:30 – Coach Origin Story: From Council Rock HS to Penn State under legendary Coach Groves — how Wall Street dreams shifted into a life of coaching and mentorship.9:00 – Building Rider’s Culture (23 Years Strong)Developing student-athletes, creating a “complete team,” and balancing performance with academics.12:45 – Program Evolution & Facilities: Honoring Coach Brady, the new Brady Building and track complex, and how alumni support fuels Rider’s growth.14:55 – Development vs. Recruiting Stars: Why Rider thrives as a developmental program and what Coach Hamer looks for in recruits.17:25 – Tegan’s Breakthrough Story: From 11:20 two-mile to Olympic Trials and pro runner with Brooks Beasts — how buy-in and lifestyle choices sparked the jump.23:35 – Lifestyle & Mindset Lessons: Sleep, nutrition, mental health, and “choices over sacrifices.” Creating long-term consistency and team buy-in.26:10 – Training Philosophy & Confidence Workouts: Adapting volume vs intensity, freshmen adjusting to 8K/10K, and how to build mental resilience in college runners.33:00 – The Double-Threshold Conversation: Why Rider hasn’t implemented it yet, what Coach Hamer is watching for, and training-age considerations.35:30 – Data, Finance & Running a Program Like a CEO: How a business background helps in budgeting, planning, and analytics-based coaching.39:00 – Coaching Challenges & Decision Fatigue: Managing staff, athletes, and the weight of daily decisions in a program that values development first.40:30 – Fall Season Update & MAAC Championship Preview: Young teams, injuries, conference goals, and the course at Twin Ponds at the Farm (NY).42:40 – Training Grounds of Central Jersey: Washington Crossing Park, Rosedale, Tyler State, Round Valley — soft surfaces, scenery, and Broncs territory.47:00 – Central Jersey Confirmed ✅ The great debate settled — Coach Hamer says it exists!47:40 – Academic Majors & Career Prep: Business (5-Year CPA), Exercise Science, Education, Psych, Sport Media — internships & job placement success.49:00 – Team Culture & Social Life: Balance between books and Broncs — apple-picking, Philly vs New York sports rivalries, and team bonding.52:30 – Complete Team Philosophy: Why Rider values every event group and how that culture creates championship runs.55:00 – Respect for Coach Joe Compagni & Monmouth Legacy: The rivalry, mentorship, and friendship that raised the standard for NJ track programs.57:00 – Final Four Rapid Fire☕ Coke > Coffee ☕🎵 Metallica & Taylor Swift DJ setlists 🎶🚴‍♂️ Cycling & mental recharge rituals🏈 Penn State football fandom + Colorado Buffs bonus1:04:00 – Closing & Takeaways: Rider’s future, why complete programs win, and Coach Hamer’s hope for his athletes beyond the track.Coach / Program Links: @RiderXCTF (Instagram • X/Twitter • Facebook)GoBroncs.com → Cross Country / Track & Field → Recruit Questionnaire + staff emails

Episode 408 of Airey Bros Radio brings you the complete 2025 NJCAA Cross Country National Championship Preview Show — a three-division celebration of grit, team culture, and championship ambition from Fort Dodge, Iowa.🎽 Division III: Steven Davis (Mineral Area College — #1 W / #4 M) | Jeff DeGraw (Joliet JC — #2 W / #3 M) | Mallory Dominguez (College of DuPage —  #3 W #2 M)🎽 Division II: Jim Robinson (Lansing CC — #1 M) | Anthony Crider (Wallace State — #2 M / #3 W) | Michael Melchert (DMACC — #3 M) | Daniel Pescador (Mesa CC — #1 W)🎽 Division I: Marc Bierbaum (Iowa Western — #1 M / #2 W) | Jafet Molinares (Hutchinson CC — #2 M) | Dee Brown (Iowa Central — #3 M / Host School) | Jeff Becker (New Mexico JC — #4 M / #4 W) | Felix Hinojosa (El Paso CC — #3 W)From top ranked teams to underdogs with a shot at the podium, this is the ultimate look at the NJCAA Cross Country Nationals.☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching📺 Watch the full show on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@AireyBros 📲 Follow @AireyBrosRadio on Instagram🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 

Ladies and gentlemen — howdy & aloha! We are HERE, you are THERE, and you’re now rockin’ with the best. We’re lacing up with Coach Bradley Sowder, Director of Cross Country & Track & Field at University of the Cumberlands—back for Round 3 on ABR. We dig into the Patriots’ rise (WXC currently top-3, MXC top-4), winning NAIA indoor/outdoor national titles (first men’s double in program history), the women’s 2025 NAIA Indoor Championship, double-threshold evolution, culture in the transfer/NIL era, and why elite athletes still choose Williamsburg…including the story behind Luca Madeo’s return and a run at the German half-marathon record.Listen / Watch Everywhere• YouTube: @AireyBros• Spotify • Apple PodcastsFollow & Support ABR• Instagram: @aireybrosradio• ☕ Buy Me a Coffee Apple Podcasts • Fueled by: Black Sheep Endurance Coaching Coach / Program Links• Coach: Bradley Sowder (University of the Cumberlands) • Program site: Cumberlands XC (Men / Women) & Track & Field (Men / Women) • Team IG: @ucpatriotsxctf (day-to-day updates, recruiting DMsSHOW NOTES / TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Howdy & aloha intro; ABR mission to spotlight NAIA/NJCAA/D2/D3 distance programs01:01 – Guest intro: Coach Bradley Sowder; current polls (W #3, M #4); UC Patriot pedigree02:57 – Where to send recruits/parents/fans; @ucpatriotsxctf and SIDs doing work  03:59 – Flowers: how Coach Sowder helped launch ABR’s TF/XC run; opening doors across divisions06:00 – Kentucky/UK years; teammates John Richardson & Chris Landers; faith & growth arc09:23 – Fall update: depth, vibe, individual meetings, mid-season reset; coach becoming present15:01 – Therapy, pressure, “fear of losing,” hospital scare; reframing wins/losses; leadership growth18:42 – Delegation to staff; balance & family time; being Director and Coach25:01 – Women’s rise without last year’s “superstars”; transfers/frosh stepping up; depth matters27:27 – Culture with the portal/NIL: 1-year “contracts,” honesty with athletes, helping them level up29:58 – Personal: losing an athlete vs supporting them; why relationships outlast rosters33:36 – Keeping culture strong when top sticks leave; gratitude practice at weekly 125-athlete meeting36:55 – From jail to graduate: why UC’s program is built on second chances & accountability38:20 – Silver linings: when multiple athletes earn bigger scholarships—you’re doing something right41:07 – Luca Madeo story: Raleigh Relays breakout → altitude year → returns to UC; fifth-year plan; fall target for German HM record & indoor focus (context: UC roster page) University of the Cumberlands Athletics 47:00 – Lactate-guided training: double-threshold tuning (AM vs PM lactate), European athletes bringing meters, individualization54:41 – Benchmarks: Patriot session (tempo + Ks + 600s/400s), classic 12-8-4 x2 ladder, Michigan; last-5-weeks template58:38 – Why fitness is built before November; don’t “win the workout/lose the week”59:50 – Who to watch? Everyone. Multiple Conference Athletes of the Week = depth & competition1:02:00 – Load plan to Conference & Nationals (Appalachian Challenge; Milligan, Montreat, TWC in field)1:04:34 – Nationals site strategy: Tallahassee course demands > weather; BYU/ND film study1:09:05 – Final Four: gratitude list; shout to Coach James; daily walk; cappuccino count1:14:16 – Lifting vs running cycles; Boost treadmills for durability; 305 bench @ 44; old-man strength1:21:00 – Deftones dad-daughter car rides; 90s/00s alt-metal lifeblood1:25:49 – Shoutouts to AD Chris Kraftick & staff; UC season outlook; ABR NJ week preview

Howdy & Aloha! We’re lacing up with Coach Brian Decker, Head Cross Country Coach at Point Pleasant Boro, fresh off one of the most dominant seasons in program history.In 2024, the Panthers swept the Ocean State Invitational, B-South Division, Ocean County, and Central Jersey Group 2 — the first sectional title in school history. Decker was named 2024 Coach of the Year by the Shore Track Coaches Association and the Asbury Park Press.With 30 + years in the sport, Coach Decker has led programs at Toms River South, Ocean County College (JUCO), and Point Boro — building one of New Jersey’s most respected small-school programs. We talk training philosophy, community buy-in, and how he runs the legendary Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park.⏱️ Show Notes with Timestamps00:00 – 02:00 | Howdy & Aloha Intro Rich & Jim welcome Coach Brian Decker back to the Shore — Point Pleasant Boro head coach with 30 + years of experience.02:00 – 05:00 | Point Boro Roots & Community Support, Nostalgia from the Point Boro days, Ocean County ties, and how local buy-in powers a small-town program.05:00 – 08:30 | Origin Story & Switch from Soccer to XC, A broken arm in high school leads to a new path in running — the unexpected start of a 30-year coaching journey.08:30 – 12:00 | Early Coaching Years & JUCO LessonsHow Ocean County College shaped Decker’s approach to athlete development and the realities of recruiting at the JUCO level.12:00 – 18:00 | Building Point Boro XCTaking over a rebuilding program, instilling structure and standards, and earning community trust through work ethic and accountability.18:00 – 24:00 | The 2024 Breakthrough SeasonOcean State → B-South → Ocean County → CJ Group 2 titles; the first sectional in school history and how the team came together.24:00 – 30:00 | Coaching Freshmen & Developing Depth, Rebuilding after a senior-heavy class, coaching multiple sets of twins, and teaching young athletes confidence and patience.30:00 – 35:00 | Adjusting Coaching Styles Over Decades. From old-school intensity to modern balance — what Decker has learned about communication and recovery.35:00 – 41:00 | Training Talk & Benchmark SessionsHow he structures workouts at Ocean County Park, tests fitness with surprise miles, and why “feel over numbers” still matters.41:00 – 47:00 | Tech, Watches & Mental Discipline. The battle against data dependency, getting kids off the watch, and building race-day instincts.47:00 – 53:00 | Meet Director Life at Holmdel Park15 years of running the Shore Coaches Invitational, working with out-of-state teams, course maintenance, and fast times at Holmdel.53:00 – 57:00 | B-South Format & Competition Evolving from dual meets to divisional championships; racing Manchester and CBA to stay sharp.57:00 – 1:03:00 | Culture & Tradition at the BurrowWhy Point Boro kids don’t miss practice, how the community shows up, and keeping banquets and recognition alive.1:03:00 – End | Final Four & Wrap-Up Coach Decker’s coffee ritual, day-to-day habits, favorite sports teams, and guilty-pleasure Twizzlers before a meet.📺 YouTube → @aireybros 📸 Instagram → @aireybrosradio 🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/61TKhMCXCfmfZRYb22saFe 🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/airey-bros-radio/id1451351543☕ Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee 🏃‍♂️ Fueled by: Black Sheep Endurance Coaching

We are HERE, you are THERE, and you’re now rockin’ with the best.In EP 405, we go Belly to Belly with Billy George, head wrestling coach at Long Branch High School—a Shore Conference lifer carrying the Green Wave tradition.Coach George digs into Region 6 history, District 23 wars, NJ’s realignment era, the public vs. private debate, and how Long Branch rebuilt its room with a family-first culture (football, lifeguarding, surfing) where “life is wrestlebacks” still rings true.What you’ll hear: origin story, handing off/stepping up, building athletes from the ground up, lineup churn every year, schedule strength, division foes, district placement, and keeping Shore pride alive.Follow Long Branch Wrestling: @wavewrestlingnjFollow us: @aireybrosradio☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching (@blacksheependurance)💡 Support Airey Bros Radio → https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AireyBrosRadioWatch the full conversation on YouTube and follow the show everywhere: youtube.com/@AireyBrosShow Notes / Timestamps00:00 Cold open — Region 6 roots00:32 ABR intro + guest setup (Billy George, Long Branch HS)01:20 Bio: Green Wave family → Cornell → LB head coach02:19 Plug: @wavewrestlingnj02:50 Pork roll / Taylor ham04:01 Origin story: dad & “Coach George,” community pride09:53 Taking over, Rumson years, rebuild mindset12:01 Ambassadorship: school, beach, lifeguards, surfing, family ethos19:00 Rebuild blueprint: fundamentals, athleticism, “don’t get pinned”24:46 Diverse room → one family (languages, culture, buy-in)27:30 Schedule & rivalries (TR South/East, Colts Neck, Jackson)31:34 Non-negotiables: school, behavior, homework → earn the mat33:40 From 3–8 to hosting sectionals—what changed34:56 Football ↔ wrestling pipeline; tackling = neutral37:06 Realignment & districts: parity vs. tradition47:45 Public vs private: new rivalries, still wrestling the best55:02 One state champ—why NJ must keep it57:11 Final Four: coffee, daily practices, books/music, guilty pleasure1:12:56 Close: next episodes (Point Boro XC, Cumberlands XC)

This special Airey Bros Radio roundtable previews the 2025 Jayhawk (Region 6) Cross Country Championships — featuring head coaches from the top-ranked NJCAA programs across the state. They break down training philosophy, course strategy, and what it’ll take to bring home the Region 6 title on Friday, October 24 in Colby, KS.🎤 Featuring (in order of appearance)🏃‍♂️ Mark Emerson — Butler CC (Men #4 • Women #12) [@butlercctf]🏃‍♀️ Mathew Scott — Colby CC (Men #2 • Women #8) [@colbytrojanxctf]🏃‍♂️ Cameron Rieth — Cowley CC (Men #5 • Women #23) [@cowleyxctf]🏃‍♀️ Jeremy Winzer — Highland CC [@scottiesxctf]🏃‍♀️ Juliette Rios — Garden City CC (Men #9 • Women #13) [@gc3_tfxc]🏃‍♂️ Trey Brutin — Neosho County CC [@goneoshotracknfield]🏃‍♂️ Jafet Molinares — Hutchinson CC (Men #2 • Women #8) [@hutchtrackxc]🗣 Topics we coverForm charts & top athletes to watch in ColbyAdapting to Kansas terrain and race conditionsThe mental side of coaching JUCO athletesBalancing local recruits and international talentTeam culture and academic standardsChampionship-week strategy before nationalsIf you love cross country, JUCO culture, and behind-the-scenes insight from the most competitive region in the nation — this is your preview for Friday.⏱ Show Notes / Timestamps00:00 – Intro | Setting the table for Colby 2025 Jayhawk Championships00:05 – 1:10:00 | Mark Emerson (Butler CC) • Mathew Scott (Colby CC) • Cameron Rieth (Cowley CC)1:13:00 – 1:23:30 | Jeremy Winzer (Highland CC) — building culture & protecting athlete minds1:24:40 – 1:45:20 | Juliette Rios (Garden City CC) — double thresholds & team chemistry1:45:30 – 2:07:20 | Trey Brutin (Neosho County CC) — development & fun in training2:07:50 – 2:31:30 | Jafet Molinares (Hutchinson CC) — Hutch vs Iowa Western & deep-end mentality2:31:45 – End | Wrap-up • Race-day predictions • Next-week’s D1/NAIA shows🎧 Listen / Watch Everywhere📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@AireyBros 🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/61TKhMCXCfmfZRYb22saFe 🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/airey-bros-s-radio/id584404045 ☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching → https://www.blacksheependurance.com/