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 program
  
  

If 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 Notes

• 0:00 – Cold open: how Airey Bros found Lander through wrestling & wanted Coach Lamb on
  
  
• 0:27 – ABR intro, mission & Black Sheep Endurance shoutout
  
  
• 1:04 – Introducing Coach Colin Lamb & his new role at Lander University
  
  
• 2:30 – Socials & where to send recruits (Lander XCTF + Coach Lamb IG)
  
  
• 3:20 – Origin story: outrunning classmates, youth club, early mileage
  
  
• 4:40 – Coaching roots with his dad & youth coaching experiences
  
  
• 5:54 – Dayton → SMU: psychology degree, sport management master’s & volunteer coaching
  
  
• 8:05 – Why Lander? Location, family, facilities & AD Brian Reese’s vision
  
  
• 9:46 – Rebuilding a young program & chasing Peach Belt / regional relevance
  
  
• 11:00 – In-state recruiting, freshman-heavy roster & overlooked SC talent
  
  
• 13:14 – Culture reset after three coaches in four years
  
  
• 14:04 – What kind of student-athletes fit Lander (no-excuse grinders)
  
  
• 16:01 – Roster breakdown: SC-heavy squad with a few out-of-state additions
  
  
• 16:44 – State school value: lottery money, academic aid & 11 years of frozen tuition
  
  
• 18:14 – DII homey feel vs SMU’s big-time model & access to administration
  
  
• 19:04 – How SMU built a big recruiting class with a $90K price tag
  
  
• 20:25 – Family-centered recruiting & explaining value and cost to parents
  
  
• 21:49 – Discovering hidden programs like Lander through shows like ABR
  
  
• 22:08 – High school recruiting vs transfer portal & having a long-term plan
  
  
• 23:31 – Building a three-season program in XC, indoor & outdoor track
  
  
• 24:32 – First XC season at Lander: progress, expectations & measuring growth
  
  
• 26:03 – Selling recruits on being part of program history & first-time achievements
  
  
• 27:05 – Weather, practice times & why morning sessions win in the South
  
  
• 28:11 – Training grounds: gravel loops, farm XC course, paved path & campus loop
  
  
• 30:00 – First All-Conference runner in 16 years & a big school record
  
  
• 31:03 – Southeast Regional preview & goals for men and women
  
  
• 32:28 – Who’s who in the region: Wingate, Catawba, Anderson, Flagler & more
  
  
• 33:29 – Peach Belt breakdown & DII competition across XC and track
  
  
• 34:02 – Double threshold talk: where Lander is at & weighing risk vs reward
  
  
• 35:40 – Training philosophy: mileage, consistency & getting 95% out of athletes
  
  
• 37:08 – Multi-sport kids, low mileage backgrounds & finding “diamonds in the rough”
  
  
• 38:13 – Social media vs phone calls in modern recruiting
  
  
• 39:04 – Has he settled in yet? First months on the job & constant travel
  
  
• 42:03 – A day in the life: CEO of a small business (budget, study hall, admin)
  
  
• 44:38 – Campus growth, enrollment boom & long-term stability at Lander
  
  
• 45:49 – Campus vibe: pool, cabana, single rooms, Chick-fil-A & Starbucks
  
  
• 48:03 – Strength & conditioning, weight room setup & support staff
  
  
• 49:01 – How they pair strength sessions with long runs & workouts
  
  
• 51:11 – Training outdoors year-round & minimal need for indoor track
  
  
• 52:21 – Notes app to-do lists, staying grounded & not fixing everything in a day
  
  
• 54:02 – Music rotation: female pop stars, EDM, Two Friends & early 2000s rap
  
  
• 56:33 – Guilty pleasures: McDonald’s cookie tote, pies, bakery runs & pecan pie
  
  
• 59:35 – Final thoughts on building Lander XC/TF & what’s ahead for the Bearcats
  
  
• 1:00:00 – 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: @aireybros
  
  
• Spotify: Airey Bros Radio
  
  
• Apple Podcasts: Airey Bros Radio
  
  

Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee

Time-Stamped Show Notes
0:00 – 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 faith
  
  
• A – 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 Hebrews

12.37:15 – 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 – 1:01:25
Guilty 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 Creek
  
  
  • How Missouri built toward hosting the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships
    
    
  • Turning a struggling SEC squad into Top-25 men’s (22nd) and women’s (23rd) teams
    
    
  • Using regular-season races to “do ourselves favors” with at-large points
    
    
  • SECs, a loaded Midwest Region with Oklahoma State, and the mindset heading into championship season
    
    
• 🧠 Origin Story: Don Bosco, CBA & New Jersey running culture
  
  
  • Growing up in a multi-sport household: soccer, ski racing, swimming, track
    
    
  • Getting rejected by Don Bosco, emailing the coach & admissions, and getting himself admitted at 14
    
    
  • High standards vs burnout: “sports factory” done right, culture, and leadership
    
    
  • Homedale Park, rivalries with Christian Brothers Academy, and the legendary Bosco/CBA battles
    
    
• 🌍 Recruiting, International Athletes & NIL
  
  
  • Why Kyle recruits Missouri first, then the region, then the rest of the U.S. and world
    
    
  • Working with agencies, tracking World U20 lists, British Power of 10, European descending order lists, and trips as far as Australia
    
    
  • His defense of international recruiting in the NCAA and why diversity makes teams better
    
    
  • Helping 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 Thresholds
  
  
  • Coming from a strength-based system and methodically adding double threshold training
    
    
  • Who 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 year
    
    
  • Developing range from 800m up through 10K, and why Kyle refuses to recruit “one-trick ponies”
    
    
• 📈 Coaching, Marketing Brain & Hosting NCAAs
  
  
  • How Kyle uses his degrees in advertising and sports industry management + current MBA in day-to-day coaching
    
    
  • Applying business strategy (like Porter’s Five Forces) to recruiting and program building
    
    
  • His 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 Pleasures
  
  
  • Kyle’s coffee obsession: espresso, AeroPress, Chemex, Onyx Coffee Lab “Southern Weather”, and geeking out on water profiles
    
    
  • Hybrid training, lifting, maybe a HYROX race in the future
    
    
  • EDM & electronic playlists for training and coaching
    
    
  • Ice cream (mint chocolate chip), UberEats benders, and a good old New Jersey bagel with Taylor ham
    
    

If 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: @mizdistancexc
IG: @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 contender
  
  
• Coaching philosophy, athlete development & culture
  
  
• Double-threshold training & lactate testing
  
  
• Recruiting New Jersey talent
  
  
• NIL, transfer portal, academics & campus life
  
  
• Coach Starkes’ athletic journey + Gags stories
  
  
• Program vision for XC/Indoor/Outdoor T&F
  
  

If 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 show


SHOW NOTES + TIMESTAMP 
0:00 – ABR Intro: Why We Shine Light on ALL Levels
1:07 – Official episode open: Howdy & Aloha
1:40 – Intro: Coach Nicol Starkes + Rutgers accomplishments
3:11 – Coach joins the showCoach’s Early Life & Running Journey
3:17 – Origin story: Swimming ➝ HS running ➝ Meet of Champs
6:00 – Transition from swimming to distance running
7:03 – Recruiting to Richmond, NCAA experience
8:43 – Injury, graduation, and joining NJNY Track Club
9:45 – Training under Coach Gagliano
10:28 – Coaching at NYU & early D3 experienceRutgers Era: Rebuilding the NJ Distance Powerhouse
11:05 – Getting hired at Rutgers
11:24 – Promotion to Associate Head Coach
11:31 – How the role changes (training, science, leadership)
12:11 – Using lactate testing with exercise physiologist Morgan Murray
12:34 – Recruiting responsibilities as a mom/coach2025 XC Season & Big Ten Outlook
13:08 – Season progress recap
13:46 – Princeton Invite takeaways
14:03 – Big Ten Course breakdown (Michigan State)
15:03 – New Jersey’s brutal Holmdel flashbacksTraining Philosophy
16:49 – Double-threshold training at Rutgers
17:45 – How they structure double-T days
18:48 – Keeping athletes healthy & consistent
19:38 – Monitoring Strava + avoiding “secret workouts”Facilities, Campuses & Daily Life at Rutgers
21:21 – Running routes on Piscataway campus
22:47 – Training at Colonial Park, Johnson Park, Columbia Trail
23:22 – How RU’s 4-campus layout actually works
24:52 – Academic pathways & campus culture
27:00 – On-campus vs off-campus living - Recruiting & New Jersey Roots
28:31 – Why NJ runners should give RU a real look
29:43 – NIL impact on Rutgers T&F
31:07 – Transfer portal philosophy
33:23 – Targeting NJ athletes looking to come home
34:39 – Academic reputation & career pathways
35:30 – Internship power of the NYC-area
36:05 – Scarlet Knights for Life career developmentAthlete Development & Coaching Philosophy
37:48 – What post-college running looks like
38:54 – Being 10% coach, 90% therapist
40:57 – Freshman maturity & life skills
42:18 – What type of athlete Rutgers recruits
48:02 – Building culture + trusting team captains
49:00 – The new era of Rutgers DistanceFun Questions & NJ Culture
4:14 – Taylor Ham or Pork Roll?
4:51 – Is Central Jersey real?
50:03 – Jersey pride in the program
55:17 – Water/Wudder & NJ accents
56:16 – Coffee habits + Chick-fil-A milkshake breakdown
57:23 – Daily rituals, fitness & staying strong
59:48 – What she listens to (Spotify mixes)
1:01:01 – Team Jersey in college
1:01:27 – Guilty pleasures: Chick-fil-A wins
1:03:24 – Secret menu: Frosted Coffee
1:04:02 – 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 Notes
00:00 – 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 Pacers
Letting 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 Breakdown
Travis (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 Guilty
NFL 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.


YouTube
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Coaching:
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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 squad
  
  
• Sub 4:00 — Alan Webb’s wild, painful, electrifying chase for the mile
  
  
• Beyond Fast — the Newbury Park XC revolution under Coach Sean Brosnan
  
  

We 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 miler
  
  
• How a legendary high school coach and a sub-6 t-shirt club lit the spark
  
  
• The making of Running with the Buffaloes and why it almost didn’t get published
  
  
• Inside Sub 4:00 — injuries, doubt and what Alan Webb taught Chris about toughness
  
  
• How Beyond Fast came together with Sean Brosnan & Andrew Greif
  
  
• What makes Newbury Park’s training model different — and why it could change US distance running
  
  
• Culture, buy-in and why 17-for-17 PRs matter more than times on paper
  
  
• Getting back into running as a busy dad with a full-time job
  
  
• Gambling, baseball cards & why Chris wants track & field trading cards to exist
  
  

If 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 & TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Why Airey Bros Radio covers JUCO, NAIA, D2/D3 and the “Power 4” media gap
1:41 – Official Howdy & Aloha intro + full bio for guest author Chris Lear
4:00 – Last Chance U, JUCO storytelling & dreaming of a XC/wrestling doc series
4:32 – Where to find Beyond Fast, Running with the Buffaloes & Sub 4:00
5:02 – NJ lightning round: pork roll vs Taylor ham & is Central Jersey real?
6:11 – Jersey thru-lines: Terrence Fagan, 90s distance legends & toughness
8:09 – Chris’s origin story in running: Summit NJ, Mr. Keebler & the sub-6 t-shirt club
10:06 – 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 experience
16:23 – Coach Meg Waldron, Bernards HS monsters & discovering great running books
19:03 – Reading everything: Once a Runner, Friday Night Lights & wanting better running stories
20:53 – Princeton, sociology, thesis writing & the seed that led to Running with the Buffaloes
21:53 – Covering Colorado & Webb in real time vs. writing Beyond Fast from afar
24:00 – How the Beyond Fast collaboration actually worked (Lear + Brosnan + Greif)
29:39 – What great programs share: culture, trust & wanting something bigger than yourself
33:07 – What makes Newbury Park’s training different and why coaches say it could change the sport
35:15 – Where the Newbury Park boys are now & why they weren’t “burned out” in high school
37:59 – Building culture from scratch, patience in coaching & Rich’s 17-for-17 PR 5K story
41:05 – Getting back into running in midlife, true easy days & avoiding the classic “old guy injury” loop
45:02 – How big projects change you and why Chris is now getting up at 3 a.m. to run
47:59 – Balancing a demanding day job, family life & a passion-project book
49:54 – The long road of Running with the Buffaloes: self-publishing, rejection & cult status
53:59 – How Sub 4:00 helps injured athletes + where running and wrestling cultures overlap
56:35 – Short kings, weight classes & why wrestling and distance running feel like “home”
58:18 – Process over outcomes, consistency, and why improving still feels magical
1:01:03 – Final Four: coffee rituals, daily practices, playlists, podcasts & what Chris is reading
1:05:39 – Guilty pleasures: casinos, sports betting & the Mickey Mantle/Yogi Berra grail card
1:08:10 – Dreaming up track & field trading cards + closing thoughts & upcoming Airey Bros episodes

LINKS
Watch & subscribe on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Find us on Apple Podcasts: search “Airey Bros Radio”
Follow on Instagram
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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 Zepeda
  
  
  • Men & Women both top-3 at NorCal
    
    
  • “McFarland-style” program built from Monterey County ag communities
    
    
  • One of the most consistent programs in 3C2A history
    
    
• 🟢 Cuyamaca College (SoCal) – Head Coach Tim Seaman
  
  
  • Men’s team ranked near the top of the state
    
    
  • Two-time Olympian in the racewalk & American record holder
    
    
  • “David vs Goliath” mindset vs the big SoCal powers
    
    
• 💙 Moorpark College (SoCal) – Head Coach Maggie Shearer
  
  
  • Men’s & Women’s conference champions
    
    
  • Tommy White & Maya Natarajan – SoCal individual champions
    
    
  • Building a leadership-driven, gratitude-based culture
    
    

If 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 state
  
  
• Course breakdown: hills, rhythm, where races are won & lost
  
  
• JUCO vs NJCAA vs NCAA – how California’s CCCAA system fits into the national picture
  
  
• Athlete development, recruiting local, and changing the stigma around community college
  
  
• Stories from athletes driving 60–90 minutes to practice, first-gen students, and programs built from farm towns & working-class families
  
  
• Training philosophy: consistency over “hero weeks,” silver-medal weeks vs burnout, how many “hard days” JUCO athletes really need
  
  
• Racewalk rabbit hole: U.S. Olympians, Madison Square Garden, Melrose Games, NAIA racewalk, and building national champions out of Cuyamaca
  
  
• Moorpark’s culture: athlete-led accountability, hard conversations, and using gratitude as a performance tool
  
  

Championship 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:
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 🏃‍♂️ 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 Coffee

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⏱️ TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES 
00:00 – Howdy & aloha intro, value-for-value, Buy Me a Coffee link
01:12 – Tonight’s NJCAA wrestling roundtable lineup
02:21 – Clackamas CC – Coach Brett Sanchez joins
03:30 – Early season recap, Mountaineer Weekend, SWOCC dual
04:02 – Southern Oregon preview, managing recovery
04:25 – What’s different about this year’s team
05:22 – Key returners: Reggie Resiz, Henry Dillingham
06:32 – Impact freshmen & transfers: Zuniga, Ruiz, Bernard, Josie
08:26 – California & Clovis/Buchanan pipeline
09:59 – Room culture and regional pride
11:19 – What kind of recruit fits Clackamas
13:06 – Standards and expectations
14:48 – Redshirting philosophy
17:02 – Dillingham’s weight class adjustments
18:20 – Key dates on schedule
19:51 – Leading Clackamas into a new era
22:46 – NJCAA vs NWAC structure
24:40 – Cool crossover: XC scoring wrestler
26:30 – Closing with Coach Sanchez27:02 – Iowa Central – Coach Luke Moffitt joins
27:53 – Early opens and finalists
29:01 – Dual meets as progression
29:26 – Growth moments vs Iowa Lakes
30:34 – First semester philosophy
31:24 – Jan 21 Iowa Central vs Indian Hills on IPTV
32:35 – Conference title vs Nationals
33:55 – Coaching evolution over 20 years
35:10 – Key returners
37:49 – The Iowa Central athlete profile
38:48 – Lineup battles
40:02 – Guys who weren't starters but became champs
41:50 – Phil Haw story
43:48 – NJ → Iowa pipeline
45:43 – Burroughs upset story
46:52 – Closing with Coach Moffitt47:17 – Indian Hills – Coach Cole Spree joins
47:48 – Early season overview
48:52 – 2–0 start and lineup building
49:49 – Returning champs' mindset
50:34 – New challenges with veteran roster
52:12 – Newcomers already making noise
53:27 – Under-the-radar recruiting
54:50 – Key duals, North Idaho, IPT
57:33 – National TV exposure
59:19 – Balancing NJCAA vs 4-year opens
1:00:20 – Recruiting boost after national title
1:01:26 – NIL reality check
1:02:29 – Building student-athletes, not just wrestlers
1:03:53 – Where to watch Indian Hills duals
1:05:00 – Fan experience & home duals
1:05:23 – Closing with Coach Spree1:05:28 – Western Wyoming – Coach Art Castillo joins
1:06:00 – On the bus to Snow College
1:07:00 – Early season recap
1:08:44 – Returning All-Americans
1:10:02 – Why athletes stay in Rock Springs
1:10:46 – New faces: Stockton Allen, Trevan Gates
1:11:37 – Veteran lineup dynamics
1:12:12 – Key events: UNK, Reno, National Duals
1:13:34 – Long bus travel, recovery, balance
1:15:05 – Study hall on wheels
1:16:23 – Old-school vs new-school bus culture
1:18:41 – Coaching evolution
1:20:06 – Building the program from scratch
1:22:04 – CrossFit integration
1:22:23 – Going all-in on coaching
1:23:41 – Vision, belief, proving doubters wrong
1:25:01 – Final thoughts on this team
1:25:44 – Closing with Coach Castillo
1:26:12 – 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-Up

We 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 Radio
YouTube: 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 5th
7:00 – Coach joins
7:15 – Blizzard morning reaction
7:50 – Adjusting race plans & spikes
8:40 – Olivia Baker’s fall + concussion mid-race
9:20 – Paradise Valley challenge
10:50 – Mesa defends its title
12:00 – Mesa Men finish 5th
13:00 – Team celebration
14:30 – Indoor track plansCoach Mallory Dominguez – College of DuPageDIII Women’s National Champions | Men Runner-Up
20:00 – Coach joins
20:20 – “The girls were excited to race in the snow”
21:40 – Men’s race helped prep the women
22:50 – Visibility & course navigation
24:10 – COD women take control early
25:45 – Men’s runner-up finish
27:00 – Celebration + recovery
28:20 – First women’s XC title in school history
29:40 – Half marathon recap
31:20 – Building future depthCoach Chris Beene – Odessa CollegeDI Women’s XC Champions | Half Marathon Champions
40:00 – Coach joins
40:15 – Weather shock: expected rain, got blizzard
41:20 – Emotional meaning behind this title
42:15 – Rukia & Kadine overcome adversity
43:40 – When he knew Odessa was winning
45:00 – First XC title in program history
46:30 – Half Marathon dominance
47:50 – Culture, recruiting & what’s nextCoach Dee Brown – Iowa CentralDI Men’s XC National Champions | Meet Host
55:00 – Coach joins
55:10 – Panic on Saturday morning
56:00 – Coaches clearing snow manually
57:25 – DIII athletes “create the path”
58:40 – Iowa Central vs Hutch battle
1:00:10 – Winning at home
1:02:00 – Monday half marathon recap
1:03:20 – Hosting challenges & victoriesCoach Marc Bierbaum – Iowa WesternMen’s Half Marathon Champions | Women Runner-Up DI XC
1:10:00 – Coach joins
1:10:30 – Women grinding through the blizzard
1:11:50 – Mid-race strategy adjustments
1:13:15 – Back-to-back men’s half marathon titles
1:14:40 – Women win the half marathon title
1:16:10 – Full Fort Dodge weekend recap
1:17:45 – 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 Episode
0:00 – Intro / Howdy & Aloha
The 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 bonus
1:04:00 – 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