Talkin' G-MAC

In Episode 110, Talkin' G-MAC celebrates the 10th episode since launching the podcast back in late August in a big way!

Following the release of the Great Midwest Men's and Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Polls, Katie chats with the projected top team from each side which so happens to make this an all Ashland podcast as the Ashland men and women were picked to finish atop the standings this season.

It's no surprise the Ashland women find themselves picked for a three-peat, returning three of their five starters from last year's national championship team. Head coach Kari Pickens joins the program to talk about how this team plans to ride those expectations this season and what this year's team is focused on heading into their home opener next week.

On the men's side, John Ellenwood hops on to chat about the defending G-MAC champs and the veteran group that the Eagles bring into the league this season. With four of Ashland's five starters returning to the lineup this winter, Ellenwood talks chemistry and a few transfers who could help bolster his roster this season.

In Episode 109, Katie recaps an exciting weekend in Canton, Ohio for the 2023 Great Midwest Cross Country Championships. 2023 Great Midwest Men's and Women's Runners of Year join the podcast to chat about their individual performances at this year's championship.
Junior Noah Fisher reclaimed his individual title from 2021 with an impressive performance for the Findlay Oilers while Junior Liz Wamsley rose to the top of the leaderboard after setting this goal as a freshman to represent Hillsdale.

In Episode 108, Katie is joined by Kentucky Wesleyan's Corina Conley. Conley is a senior on the women's basketball team and also serves as the campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee chair.
The Kentucky Wesleyan SAAC was given the unique opportunity to partner with a local Make-A-Wish chapter to grant a local boy his wish. Conley talks about what goes into qualifying an organization to grant a wish and how they planned the special suprise for Baylor and his family!

In Episode 107, Katie chats with former Walsh basketball standout Sha Carter. Carter finished a decorated career as a Cavalier in 2022 before stepping on the court as a grad transfer at Florida Gulf Coast for the 2022-23 season.
Katie and Sha talk about her time at Walsh and how that prepared her, not only for her time at FGCU but also for a professional career.  The two also discuss what its like to be a part of a March Madness bracket-busting team.
Carter is now playing basketball professionally and she shares what it's like living and playing in Budapest, Hungary and the story of her first professional basketball game overseas.

In Episode 106, Katie sits down the CBS Sports Rules Analyst Gene Steratore in honor of D2CCA/D2ADA's Fall Officials' Appreciation Week. The former college basketball and NFL official was hired this summer as the Great Midwest's Supervisor of Football Officials. Katie and Gene chat about the importance of officials to the collegiate game and the not-so-nice root cause of the official shortage seen around the country. Steratore also talks about where his passion for officiating began and how that passion turned into a way to give back to officials on their way up the ladder. The former official also shares about his time as a referee and what is like to have the pressure of thousands watching and waiting for you to make a decision -- in just a split second.

In Episode 105, Katie talks to three Great Midwest head coaches as the fall season is in full swing. Tiffin's Chris Reisert joins the podcast to talk all things Tiffin football. Reisert talks about what has been going well and where he hopes the Dragons can continue to build. Coming off a big win over Ashland, the Dragons are preparing for a matchup with newcomer Thomas More on Saturday. Reisert talks about his high-powered offense 
Katie also talks to Hillsdale's Chris Gravel and Walsh's Brett Holt ahead of a big showdown on Sunday between the two undefeated volleyball teams. The coaches also talk a little Midwest Region Crossover ahead of the big event next month.

In Episode 104, Katie sits down with Ashland's Trent Maddox. Maddox, a junior football student-athlete, was recently named to the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team. The two chat about what Trent's off-the-field activities have meant to him over the years and they also dive into his role as chair of the Great Midwest Student-Athleted Advisory Committee.
Ashland head coach Cayleb Paulino also joins the podcast to talk his team's rise to the No. 1 women's soccer team in the country. Paulino discusses how his team handles success heading into Great Midwest conference play.

In Episode 103, Katie chats with Terry Connor, Athletic Director at Thomas More about the transition to Division II and the Great Midwest as well as what the Saints expereince has been like playing their first few DII contests. Connor also talks about his deep ties to TMU.
Katie catches up with John Fankhauser, head football coach at Walsh. The Cavaliers are 2-0 on the season for the first time since joining Division II back in 2010. Coach Fankhauser reflects on what's gone well so for in 2023 and what fans can expect as Walsh opens up G-MAC play this weekend with a trip to Kentucky Wesleyan.

In Episode 102, Katie sits down to chat with Findlay golfer Gabby Woods about her experience playing in the 193rd U.S. Women's Armature at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif. The senior Oiler also talks about the experience of winning the 2022 National Championship and what's in store for Findlay women's golf this season.  

Katie also previews the 2023 Great Midwest cross country season. Walsh head coach Rob Mizicko joins the podcast to talk about defending the men's cross country title while having to replace senior standouts from a year ago. Cedarville head coach Jeff Bolender previews the season on the women's side as the Jackets look to defend their title from a year ago as well.

In Episode 101, Commissioner Tom Daeger joins the podcast to talk about his journey from his first job on a turnip farm in Indianapolis to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference's first and only commissioner. Hear about his time as a Division II baseball student-athlete to his vision for the G-MAC for years to come.