Episode 160 of the Athletor Podcast features Hayden Hidlay, Assistant Coach at Stanford. Hidlay discusses the progress of the Stanford wrestling program and the momentum the team carries into the ACC Championships this season. He breaks down lessons learned from last year’s conference tournament, how preparation and travel adjustments affect performance, and why the ACC tournament brings a unique level of intensity due to frequent rematches and familiarity among competitors.

Hidlay also shares insight into building a competitive culture at Stanford, helping athletes handle the mental grind of postseason wrestling, and positioning the program to compete at a higher level nationally. The conversation covers strategy, preparation, and the details that separate a good tournament from a great one.