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PODCAST

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

The Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

Welcome to "The Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal" where we delve into the world of college and youth wrestling. Join Mike, the head coach of Poway RTC, as he sits down with guests from all levels of the sport, including high school, club, college, and senior-level coaches and athletes. Each week, Mike will bring you insightful discussions on the latest in college and youth wrestling, including training techniques, strategy, and everything in between. You"ll hear from some of the biggest names in the

sports wrestling

All Episodes

00:55:17

Ep. 152 - JohnMark Bently

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2026/01/07

Episode 152 of the Athletor Podcast features JohnMark Bently, Head Coach at Appalachian State, for an honest conversation about building a program the right way. Bently shares how leadership, culture, and consistency shape long-term success, along with the daily standards required to develop wrestlers on and off the mat.The episode dives into recruiting with intention, earning buy-in from athletes, and balancing performance with personal growth. Bently also reflects on lessons learned as a head

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01:02:59

Ep. 151 - Bryan Hazard

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/12/31

Episode 151 of the Athletor Podcast features Bryan Hazard, wrestling broadcast announcer and coach. Bryan breaks down the sport from the booth and the mat, sharing how he prepares to call matches, study athletes, and tell the story of wrestling in a way fans and families understand. He talks about the responsibility of commentary and how strong broadcasting adds value to the sport.The conversation also covers coaching, athlete development, and how perspective shifts when you see wrestling through

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00:51:05

Ep. 150 - Matty Singleton

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/12/24

Episode 150 features Matty Singleton from NC State. You hear a clear breakdown of how his staff evaluates recruits, builds trust with athletes, and sets daily standards inside the room. He shares how consistency in culture drives performance over a full season. He also explains how staff communication shapes development from day one.You gain insight into what coaches track beyond wins and losses. Matty walks through practice habits, accountability systems, and mindset work used at NC State. This

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00:53:45

Ep. 149 - Chris Chionuma

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/12/17

Episode 149 of the Athletor Podcast features a conversation with Chris Chionuma, Associate Head Coach at Cal Poly. Chris shares insight into his coaching journey, the standards inside the Cal Poly wrestling room, and how he approaches athlete development at the Division I level. He speaks on building trust, staying consistent as a coach, and setting clear expectations for growth on and off the mat.The episode also dives into leadership, program culture, and what matters most when preparing athletes

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00:44:42

Ep. 148 - Eric Morrill

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/12/10

Episode 148 brings Eric Morrill to the Athletor Podcast. He shares lessons from his coaching journey and the standards he sets inside the California Baptist room. He breaks down how he approaches development, preparation, and daily habits that shape strong performers.He also talks about building trust with athletes, adjusting training to support growth, and the mindset he pushes during tough moments. His insight gives listeners a clear look at how he guides wrestlers toward consistent progress and

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00:43:39

Ep. 147 - J Jaggers

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/12/03

Episode 147 features a direct look into coaching, development, and performance with J Jaggers, Associate Head Coach at Ohio State. He shares how he evaluates athletes, how he approaches growth, and what he expects from wrestlers who want to rise in a tough room. You hear clear points on discipline, habits, and the standard he sets for his program.The conversation covers recruiting, daily structure, and the mindset needed to stay consistent under pressure. You get insight into how he pushes athletes

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00:52:44

Ep. 146 - Kevin Ward

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/11/26

Episode 146 features Kevin Ward, Assistant Coach, Oklahoma State University. He shares insight on athlete development, daily standards, and the mindset you need to push through pressure. He speaks on building strong room culture and how consistency shapes performance at every level.Kevin also talks about leadership, personal growth, and habits that help wrestlers stay sharp through long seasons. You get direct, practical lessons you can apply in your own training, coaching, or daily life.

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00:53:45

Ep. 145 - A.J. Schopp

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/11/19

Episode 145 features A.J. Schopp, Head Assistant Coach at Edinboro University, as he walks through the mindset and technical approach that shaped his career on the mat and in the corner. Schopp shares how he developed one of the most respected top games in college wrestling and how he now teaches athletes to build discipline, confidence, and clarity in every position.He also talks through the growth of Edinboro’s program, the challenges of developing athletes in today’s landscape, and the habits he

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00:50:00

Ep. 144 - Tom Houck

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/11/12

Episode 144 of the Athletor Podcast features Tom Houck, founder of CLAW Wrestling, who discusses building what could become wrestling’s first true professional league. Tom shares the three-year journey behind CLAW’s creation, from its detailed business plan to the new rules and structure designed to make wrestling more exciting and accessible to broader audiences.He breaks down how fan psychology, team dynamics, and innovative scoring systems like pylons and attack rate statistics are changing the

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01:15:20

Ep. 143 - Cam Simaz

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/11/05

On Episode #143 of the Athletor Podcast, South Dakota State assistant coach Cam Simaz sits down with Mike Malinconico for a candid look at the evolving world of college wrestling—on and off the mat. They kick off with recovery tech and why SDSU invested in tools like a hyperbaric chamber, how athletes actually use it, and why the benefits come from consistency, not one-off sessions . From there, Cam unpacks the bigger picture: the growing tension between amateurism and professionalism, what NIL,

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01:00:12

Ep. 142 - Brock Hardy

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/10/29

In this episode, Nebraska standout Brock Hardy joins the show to break down the details behind his wrestling style and mindset. He talks about developing his signature snap and how experimentation, repetition, and competition shaped his feel on the mat. Hardy also shares insight into his training philosophy, how he studies elite wrestlers, and the process of turning creativity in practice into confidence in competition.From high school dominance to competing at the D1 level, Hardy discusses what

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01:00:52

Ep. 141 - Ian Assael

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/10/22

In this episode, Mike Mal sits down with one of the nation’s most respected club coaches, Ian Assael, Head Coach of Legends Wrestling Club. Ian shares his journey from running a powerhouse Pennsylvania program to joining the NC State staff during the Wolfpack’s rise and now building a legacy at Legends. He reflects on coaching elite wrestlers like Trent and Hayden Hidlay, the value of finding the “right kids and families,” and how culture, consistency, and timing can shape championship-caliber

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00:41:45

Ep. 140 - Dylan Carew

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/10/15

In this episode, Coach Dylan Carew joins the Athletor Podcast to share his unique perspective on how the recruiting landscape has evolved with NIL, transfer rules, and the modern athlete mindset. As Head Coach of Big Game Wrestling Club, Carew discusses how today’s coaches must not only recruit athletes but continually re-recruit them to retain top talent — a shift reshaping the sport at every level.From the challenges of navigating financial conversations and maintaining athlete relationships to

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00:58:52

Ep. 139 - Mark Branch

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/10/08

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, Head Coach Mark Branch of the University of Wyoming sits down with Mike Mal to talk about the evolving landscape of college wrestling. Branch opens up about the challenges small programs face in the NIL and revenue-sharing era, his belief that success comes from doing things the right way, and how Wyoming’s administration and fans have built a strong foundation that proves “wrestling matters.” He shares how his program continues to thrive through culture,

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00:44:31

Ep. 138 - Ryan Bertin

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/10/01

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Bertin, one of Michigan’s all-time greats and a two-time NCAA champion at 157 pounds. From his dominant high school run at St. Edward in Ohio to becoming a four-time All-American for the Wolverines, Ryan shares lessons from a career that cemented him as a Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and Hall of Honor inductee.We dive into the mindset that fueled his success, the role of coaching and culture at Michigan, and how those experiences carried into his coaching

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00:43:12

Ep. 137 - Nate Engle

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/09/24

On episode #137 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Nate Engle of the Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). Engle shares how his journey as a competitor and coach has shaped his approach to developing elite athletes in one of the most disciplined training environments in the country.From balancing military demands with international competition to building resilient athletes who can thrive under pressure, Engle opens up about what it takes to succeed at the highest level. He also discusses

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01:00:11

Ep. 136 - Frank Beasley

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/09/17

On this episode of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Frank Beasley, Head Coach at George Mason University, to talk about the state of the Patriots wrestling program. Coach Beasley shares how the team has steadily built momentum, returning five national qualifiers this season while graduating only one starter. He reflects on the culture his staff is shaping, the excitement in the room, and the growth he’s seen from year to year.We also get into the challenges of competing in a tough conference,

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00:44:00

Ep. 135 - Adam Hall

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/09/10

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, Utah Valley head coach Adam Hall sits down to discuss his transition into leading the Wolverines and the lessons he’s carrying over from years of competing and coaching. Hall talks about what he expects from his athletes—focusing on effort, discipline, and doing the small things right—as he works to build a strong foundation for Utah Valley Wrestling.The conversation dives into the challenges of establishing a program identity in the Big 12, how to balance

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00:48:50

Ep. 134 - Teyon Ware

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/09/03

Episode 134 of the Athletor Podcast features Teyon Ware, Head Coach at Northern Colorado. Ware dives into his transition into the head coaching role, outlining the challenges, responsibilities, and excitement that come with leading a Division I program. He explains what it means to set a standard for his team and how he expects athletes to uphold the brand both on and off the mat.From culture-building to accountability, Ware stresses the importance of discipline, consistency, and doing the small

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00:48:44

Ep. 133 - Lee Pritts

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/08/27

On Episode 133 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Lee Pritts, Assistant Coach at Arizona State University. Known for his energy, passion, and relentless work ethic, Pritts shares what it takes to build culture inside a top Division I program while staying connected to the athletes on a personal level.We dive into his journey through coaching, his philosophy on recruiting, and the evolution of the sport with NIL, the transfer portal, and the growing spotlight on wrestling. Pritts also breaks

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153 results

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