Summary

Jason Custer, head coach at Viera High School, shares his background in wrestling and how he got into coaching. He emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where student-athletes can learn, grow, and achieve, with success being different for each individual. Custer discusses the core values of his program, including hard work, having fun, and respecting each other. He also talks about the significance of a year-round wrestling program and the importance of building a feeder program. Custer mentions coaches Aaron Parr, Gerald Stout, and Jeff Degganser as mentors who have been instrumental in his coaching journey.

Coach Jason Custer discusses the training schedule for his wrestling team, which includes a break during Christmas and a focus on intensity leading up to competitions. He also talks about coaching girls and the challenges of balancing being a single dad and a head coach. He shares his plans for the upcoming season, including establishing a new group of freshmen and evolving his coaching style.

The team goals include repeating as district and conference champions, and individual goals for the wrestlers include placing higher on the podium. Coach Custer also mentions the importance of community support and the impact of the girls' wrestling program.

The conversation revolves around Pat Lugo's Miami Hawks camp and the growth of wrestling in South Florida. The camp was held at the Mikasuki Indian Casino and Resort and was a huge success. The camp had top wrestlers like Austin DeSanto, Mark Hall, and Max Murin teaching sessions. The intensity and dedication of the wrestlers, especially DeSanto, were highlighted. The conversation also touched on other wrestling events in North Florida, the importance of awards in youth wrestling, and the growth of girls' wrestling in the region.

Welcome to "Grinding for Greatness" with your host, Ricky Cheese! In this episode, we're joined by the incredible Johnni Dijulius, a 4x NCAA Qualifier and 3-time Ohio State Champion in wrestling, who also happens to be a base jumper and coach at The Ohio State University.

Join us as we dive into a dynamic conversation covering everything from wrestling to coaching, parenting, and personal growth. Johnni shares his unique insights on empathy, trust, and positive reinforcement in coaching and parenting, drawing from his own experiences both on and off the mat.

We explore the significance of mentors, the impact of early verbal commitments in wrestling, and the struggle with resentment and self-identity. Johnni opens up about the importance of charging for coaching and the need for personality and emotion in wrestling, shedding light on his philosophy of 'protect nothing' in building confidence.

But that's not all! We also touch on Johnni's passion for skydiving, base jumping, and travel, uncovering the intersections between his adventurous spirit and his approach to coaching and mentoring young athletes.

With humor, insight, and thought-provoking perspectives, this conversation is sure to inspire and motivate listeners on their own journey towards greatness. Tune in now to join the conversation with Johnni Dijulius on "Grinding for Greatness"!

Ricky Cheese and Casey Thompson discuss Casey's wrestling career and his son Chase's wrestling journey. Casey shares stories from his time in the wrestling industry, including his experiences with wrestlers like Vader and Shawn Michaels. He also talks about running his own wrestling promotion and the challenges he faced. Casey's dedication to his son's wrestling career is evident as he discusses the support he provided and the opportunities he presented to Chase.

The conversation highlights the commitment and sacrifices involved in pursuing a career in professional wrestling. In this part of the conversation, Casey Thompson discusses the importance of surrounding oneself with greatness and finding the best coaches for his son, Chase. He mentions the coaches he worked with, including Sean Shelvin, Steve Mako, and Abso Sabaev. Casey emphasizes the value of private sessions over summer camps and the impact these coaches had on Chase's development.

He also shares stories of Chase's experiences at the Olympic Training Center and his participation in the Pan American Championships. The conversation then shifts to the topic of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) in college wrestling and the challenges faced by athletes in terms of medical expenses and support from their universities. The conversation covers various topics related to Casey Thompson's son's wrestling career, including his college recruitment, injury, and transition to coaching. Casey shares his son's requirements for a college program and the challenges they faced with his injury.

They also discuss the importance of promoting wrestling tournaments and creating a buzz around the sport. Casey reflects on the memories and experiences they gained through wrestling and the strong bond they have as father and son.

00:00 Introductions and Setting

00:46 Introducing Jordan and Talking About Wrestling Experiences

04:23 Interactions with Other Wrestlers, Including Vader

05:47 Backstage Stories and Realities of Wrestling

07:37 The Demands and Challenges of Being a Wrestler

09:09 Respect and Animosity in the Wrestling Industry

10:12 Favorite and Disliked Wrestlers

12:09 Reflecting on Controversial Wrestlers

13:29 Casey's Transition from Wrestling to Supporting Chase

18:50 Chase's Early Wrestling Experiences

19:20 The Influence of Great Coaches and Mentors

24:30 Challenges in College Wrestling

39:06 The Impact of the NIL Policy on Wrestling

42:01 Introduction and Recruiting Chaos

42:39 Injuries and Medical Redshirt44:57Requirements and Coaching Support

49:12 Making Difficult Decisions

51:08Transitioning to Coaching and Future Plans

55:18 Promoting Wrestling Tournaments

59:23 Creating Buzz and Building Relationships

01:02:44 Father-Son Relationship and Support

01:06:02Taking a Break and Future Coaching

The conversation between Joe Blasucci and Ricky Cheese covers various topics related to wrestling, including the success of the Somerset Academy wrestling team, the importance of bonus points in winning matches, and the impact of the program on the lives of the students. They also discuss the recruitment of students and the integrity of the program. Additionally, they touch on the South Florida Lightning wrestling team and its history. The conversation revolves around the South Florida Lightning wrestling team and its impact on the wrestling community in Florida. The Lightning team was highly respected and had some of the best wrestlers in the state. The team's success elevated the level of wrestling in Florida and gained recognition from other states. The camaraderie and lifelong friendships formed within the team were cherished by the wrestlers. Coach Joe Blasucci's dedication to his wrestlers extended beyond the sport, as he helped them succeed academically and supported their career aspirations.

In this episode of The Morning Grind, host Ricky Cheese welcomes Travis Laxton of South Walton to discuss a range of topics impacting the wrestling community. They delve into the skill level of college wrestlers, emphasizing that athletes in any division are highly skilled and dedicated, and highlight the crucial role of coaching in their success. The conversation also touches on the rapid growth of wrestling in Florida, particularly in North Florida, where a recent tournament showcased the region's rising talent. Both Ricky and Travis express their hopes for establishing a Division 1 wrestling program in Florida, which would further enhance the sport's popularity and provide more opportunities for local athletes.

The discussion shifts to the broader wrestling community, noting the strong camaraderie among wrestlers and the importance of a thorough warm-up before matches. Travis and Ricky explore the idea of creating an open division ranking for wrestlers over 24, providing more opportunities for those wanting to continue their wrestling careers beyond traditional age limits. They also consider the exciting potential of combining wrestling with submission grappling to offer a new, dynamic avenue for the sport. Additionally, they touch on the growing interest in middle and elementary school wrestling programs, which are essential for building strong high school teams and fostering long-term loyalty to the sport.

In the final segment, the conversation focuses on the evolving landscape of high school wrestling, particularly the trend of school transfers and the introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. These changes are providing new opportunities and challenges for athletes and coaches alike. They discuss how NIL deals have already started to impact college wrestling, with local businesses sponsoring athletes, and highlight the proactive approach wrestling coaches have taken towards fundraising. The episode concludes with reflections on the coaching changes at Penn State and the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club's support of athletes through NIL deals.

In this conversation, Ricky Cheese interviews Michael Kemerer, a former wrestler from the University of Iowa. They discuss Kemerer's upbringing in a household with four sisters, his experience with the Young Guns Wrestling Club, and his time at the University of Iowa. They also touch on the culture and mindset at Iowa, the support from alumni, and the pressure to choose between Iowa and Penn State. Despite some technical difficulties, the conversation provides insights into Kemerer's wrestling journey and the impact of the Iowa wrestling program.

Chapters

00:00 Introducing Michael Kemerer

04:24 Memories and Friendships from Wrestling

06:58 Choosing Iowa over Penn State

09:56 The Culture of the University of Iowa Wrestling Program

11:24 The Mental Aspect of Wrestling

12:39 Introduction and Growing Up with Four Sisters

15:07 The Relationship with His Twin Sister

17:25 The Influence of Dan Gable

18:45 riverside_backup-video_grinding_for greatn.mp4

Miami Hawks Wrestling Camp! June 6-9th!

Max Murin discusses his wrestling career and the decision to attend the University of Iowa. He talks about his experiences in high school and the pressure to go to Penn State as a Pennsylvania kid. Max shares his journey from not placing in the state tournament as an eighth-grader to becoming a top recruit for Iowa and Penn State. He recalls the home visits from both schools and the unconventional way he made his decision. Ultimately, a phone call from Tom Brands pushed him to commit to Iowa. Max discusses his decision to commit to the University of Iowa and the excitement surrounding his Twitter announcement. He reflects on the opportunities and experiences he had while wrestling at Iowa, including training with top-notch teammates like Pat Lugo. Max shares a funny story about his first encounter with the Lugo family and the bond they formed. He talks about the intense training environment at Iowa and the chippy moments that occur in the wrestling room. Max also discusses his future plans, including his interest in real estate investing and staying involved in wrestling.