In this week’s episode, we sit down with the head women’s basketball coach, Travis Traphagen, and his assistant, Carley Neumann. They recap the 2023-24 season, going over where the team found success and what areas they are looking to improve upon. This season the team had seven new freshmen. We hear about what it was like integrating them onto the team and the court. Coach Traphagen talks about the strides the team has made in one season and how their program plans on continuing to grow and find success. Tune into this week’s episode to hear more about the women’s basketball program here at USF!

00:00 - Introduction

00:42 - Overall thoughts about this past season

02:33 - How has the team changed over the last few years?

03:35 - Addition of Assistant Coach, Carley Neumann

05:23 - Integrating freshmen onto the team

17:30 - Growth over the season

22:00 - Team strengths

25:30 - Being a part of a competitive league

27:12 - NSIC Tournament game vs. Minnesota Duluth

31:19 - What are you guys looking to improve on during the off season?

34:02 - Wrap-up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

In this episode we get to hear from the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Chris Johnson. Coach Johnson recaps the 23-24 season, talking about the conference tournament, standout games, and key players who contributed to success they had during the season. We also get to hear about graduating players, Jack Thompson and Jake Kettner, who have contributed a lot to the basketball program while here at USF. To end the episode, Coach Johnson gives us some insight on his plans for next season and what the team will look like moving forward. Tune into the Cougar Sports Show to hear about all things USF Basketball from Head Coach Chris Johnson!

00:00 - Introduction

00:26 - Conference tournament games

05:17 - Struggles/strengths as a team

07:04 - Standout games/players

08:45 - Team culture

09:33 - Graduating players

10:56 - Future team leaders

11:35 - Incoming freshmen

12:35 - Next season

14:16 - Wrap-up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

Jon Hart was named as the full time director of intercollegiate sports for USF in October of 2023, and started his duties on campus in January of 2024. In this episode we get to know Hart, his vision for USF, and how his time at Dakota Wesleyan University prepared him to step into this new role. Hart reflects on his first month here at USF, sharing his excitement for all Cougar athletic programs, as well as how he plans to impact every single one. Learn more about Jon and the future for USF athletics by tuning into this week's episode!

00:00 - Introduction

00:37 - Previous experience at Dakota Wesleyan 

03:40 - Why USF?

04:55 - Vision for USF Athletics 

06:25 - Fundraising 

09:16 - How did Dakota Wesleyan prepare Jon to step into the NCAA?

10:55 - Main jobs are as Head Athletic Director 

12:13 - Closing thoughts from Jon

13:12 - Wrap-up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

In this week’s short episode we get to hear all about the 2024 Conference Swim meet from Interim head coach, Anna Moore, and 5th year swimmer, Valarie Childs. USF was able to secure a 4th place finish at conference with a total of 607 points (note that USF does not have a dive team to score them points as the top three schools did, making their 4th place finish all the more impressive). We get to hear about Anna’s unexpected transition to interim head coach at the beginning of the season as well as the future plans for the swim program’s coaching staff. Valarie Child's speaks on the success she has had in the pool and her post graduation ambitions. Tune into this week’s episode to hear about the success and positive culture that Valarie and Anna have worked to create at USF swim!

00:00 - Introduction

00:29 - 2024 Conference meet

02:15 - Valarie Child’s at the Conference meet

03:51 - Valerie's pre-meet rituals 

04:27 - USF Conference winners/honors

06:38 - The change in coaching staff

09:36 - Top memories from the season

11:58 - Valarie’s plans after graduation

12:56 - Next season

13:47 - Wrap-up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

Kicking off season three of the Cougar Sports Show is an episode updating us on our new wrestling programs here at USF. Both teams are rounding out their first season and reflect on what they have learned and experienced. The coaches discuss their hopes and expectations for NCAA regionals, as well as the possibility of qualifying for NCAA Championships. In the first part of the show, Coach Mueleners talks about his guys and the culture they have created. Toby Bryant and Griffin Osing speak in depth about their dual meet against the Iowa Hawkeyes and what it was like wrestling against such high competition. Tune into this week's episode to hear more about USF Men’s and Women’s Wrestling!

00:00 - Men’s Wrestling

00:34 - Recap of the season so far

03:20 - Looking forward (last regular season meets, NCAA regionals)

05:50 - Keeping the team motivated/team culture

07:11 - Training

08:59 - Next season

11:18 -  Women’s Wrestling

11:30 - Recap of season so far

15:25 - University of Iowa Meet

21:22 - Standout meets

23:25 - NCAA Regionals

27:15 - Next season

33:12 - Reflecting on this season 

37:09 - Wrap Up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

In this week's episode we get to hear from three student athletes; soccer player Kelsey Oswald, volleyball player Caitlin Kellner, and football player Cole Campbell. Kelsey and Caitlin are both seniors coming off their last collegiate season. They reflect on their time at USF and what they have gained from being a student athlete. Both of them also touch on their future plans, how USF has supported them over the years, and why their programs are special. In the second half of the episode, we hear from Cole who will be taking his 6th year and competing in the 2024 season. Cole has gained a lot of experience in his five years at USF. He shares what he has learned and how he has grown throughout his time here. Cole touches on what makes USF special as a school, and how it has helped prepare him for life after graduation. Tune into this week's episode to hear more about these successful student athletes and what they have to share! This is our final episode for season two of the Cougar Sports Show. We will be returning in January of 2024 for season three.

00:00 - Introduction (Kelsey Oswald and Caitlin Kellner)

00:37 - Last game of their career

01:38 - Takeaways and memories from college sports

04:30 - Future plans/how USF has helped prepare them

07:12 - How will college sports help you post graduation?

08:18 - Volleyball program

09:32 - Soccer program

10:28 - Advice for current/upcoming student athletes

12:54 - Introduction (Cole Campbell)

13:19 - What have you learned from playing football at USF?

14:49 - Advice for current/upcoming student athletes

15:24 - Future plans/How will college sports help you post graduation?

17:42 - Support from USF

19:06 - Favorite memories

19:37 - Goals for your last season? (2024 season)

23:32 - Football program

24:43 - Wrap up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

This week we get to hear from both the men’s and women’s wrestling programs here at USF. Although both of these programs are in their inaugural season, they have already begun to establish a strong foundation of hard work and support. We get to hear all about what it was like starting from scratch with recruiting, team culture, and more. Coach Mueleners and Coach Bryant tell us how they were able to sell a roster full of wrestlers on their plan for success in college wrestling. Brinley, Beau, and the coaches, also reflect on their first meet of the season, what they learned from the experience, and how they plan to move forward. To hear more about the surfacing of wrestling at USF, tune into this week's episode!

Women’s first home meet: Nov. 30

Men’s first home meet: Dec. 1

Women’s wrestling

00:00 - Introduction

00:45 - First meet as a program (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Pointer Open Meet on Nov. 4)

06:52 - What do regionals/nationals look like for women’s wrestling?

08:16 - Waldorf Open Meet coming up (Nov. 11)

10:10 - What does training look like for wrestlers?

12:54 - Startup of the program (facilities, recruiting process, etc).

15:53 - Team culture, leaders, and goals

21:54 - What makes the women’s wrestling program special?

24:02 - First home meet

25:23 - Meet against Iowa Hawkeyes

Men’s wrestling

27:17 - Intro

27:33 - First meet as a program (Yellowjacket Open)

31:53 - Recruiting/why Beau chose USF

33:58 - Team culture/leaders/transfers

36:54 - Men’s wrestling in the NSIC

39:20 - What does training look like?

41:04 - Favorite moments so far

43:00 - What makes the men’s wrestling program special?

43:40 - Wrap up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

This week we get to hear all about the USF swim team from head coach, Chris Hamstra, assistant coach, Anna Moore, and freshman swimmer, Alessia Moro. Alessia is an international student from Trieste, Italy. She talks about the team culture and how the girls support each other in and out of the pool. The coaches talk about swim strategies for things like training, tapering, and avoiding burn-out. They also go into depth about Championship meets and standout swimmers. Listen to this week's episode to hear more about the USF swim program and what makes them special.

00:00 - Introduction

00:34 - Alessia talks about being an international student

02:32 - What the team looks like this year

04:34 - Differences from last year to this year

06:56 - Strong individual/relay events

08:40 - Addition of assistant coach, Anna Moore

12:11 - Getting an A-Cut or B-Cut time/Championship meets

15:47 - Staying team oriented

20:50 - Avoiding burn-out

23:33 - Standout swimmers

24:54 - What makes the USF swim program special?

26:50 - Wrap-up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

This short episode is regarding the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion campaign that is happening this week in the NCAA. Kenji Scales, Domenica Solano Ocampo, and Caroline Titze (USF student athletes) share their personal experience with inclusivity at USF. They touch on why it is important to be supportive of different communities (international students, LGBTQ, etc) and explain how diversity on campus has positive impacts for all students. Hear more about the diversity, equity, and inclusion campaign and what it means to USF by tuning into today's episode!

00:00 - Introduction

00:29 - What is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion campaign?

01:07 - Why is it important to support others who have different identities/backgrounds?

02:47 - International student experience

06:03 - How is USF inclusive?

08:33 - LGBTQ inclusivity at USF

10:59 - How can USF better support/appreciate other cultures and communities?

12:11 - Support through a Christian school

13:24 - Wrap-up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall

This week we get to hear from both the men’s and women’s basketball programs here at USF. In the first half of the episode, Head Coach Chris Johnson, as well as senior guard Jack Thompson, share what it is like preparing for the upcoming season. They touch on how they will continue to build off of last year’s season, as well as the team culture they have created. In the second half of the episode, we are joined by women’s head coach Travis Traphagen, as well as junior guard, Brecli Honner. Coming off a tough season last year, which contained many unfortunate injuries, both Coach Traphagen and Brecli talk about their goals to get the team back into the top group of the conference. We also get to hear about the team culture and important factors that make up their program. Tune into this week's episode to hear all about the basketball programs at USF and what makes them strong competitors for any team in the NSIC.

Men’s Basketball- Chris Johnson and Jack Thompson

00:00 - Introduction

00:33 - Building off of last season

07:17- Standout players

08:40 - Preparing for the first scrimmage of the year

10:54 - Conference tournament

13:48 - Scheduling/competitors

15:34 - Team culture/core values

Women’s Basketball- Travis Traphagen and Brecli Honner

19:21 - Building off of last season

24:52 - Standout players

26:05 - Team culture/goals

32:06 - Starting practices

34:15 - Scheduling/competitors

40:14 - Wrap up

USF Athletics: https://usfcougars.com/

Podcast Instagram: @cougarsportspodcast

Show notes written by Alivia Tindall