Stop Me Project

Rider University Director of Cross Country & Track & Field Bob Hamer joins Airey Bros Radio to discuss how the Broncs built a complete team — sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws & distance — and turned under-the-radar recruits into conference champions and even Olympic Trials qualifiers.We cover Hamer’s origin story (Penn State roots & Coach Groves), Rider’s developmental culture, the mental side of performance, and his take on training trends like double-threshold. Plus — favorite NJ/PA training spots, academic majors, MAAC rivalries, and why he swears Central Jersey exists.

Episode 408 of Airey Bros Radio brings you the complete 2025 NJCAA Cross Country National Championship Preview Show — a three-division celebration of grit, team culture, and championship ambition from Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Ladies and gentlemen — howdy & aloha! We are HERE, you are THERE, and you’re now rockin’ with the best. We’re lacing up with Coach Bradley Sowder, Director of Cross Country & Track & Field at University of the Cumberlands—back for Round 3 on ABR. We dig into the Patriots’ rise (WXC currently top-3, MXC top-4), winning NAIA indoor/outdoor national titles (first men’s double in program history), the women’s 2025 NAIA Indoor Championship, double-threshold evolution, culture in the transfer/NIL era, and why elite athletes still choose Williamsburg…including the story behind Luca Madeo’s return and a run at the German half-marathon record.Listen / Watch Everywhere• YouTube: @AireyBros• Spotify • Apple PodcastsFollow & Support ABR• Instagram: @aireybrosradio• ☕ Buy Me a Coffee Apple Podcasts • Fueled by: Black Sheep Endurance Coaching Coach / Program Links• Coach: Bradley Sowder (University of the Cumberlands) • Program site: Cumberlands XC (Men / Women) & Track & Field (Men / Women) • Team

Howdy & Aloha! We’re lacing up with Coach Brian Decker, Head Cross Country Coach at Point Pleasant Boro, fresh off one of the most dominant seasons in program history.In 2024, the Panthers swept the Ocean State Invitational, B-South Division, Ocean County, and Central Jersey Group 2 — the first sectional title in school history. Decker was named 2024 Coach of the Year by the Shore Track Coaches Association and the Asbury Park Press.With 30 + years in the sport, Coach Decker has led programs at Toms River South, Ocean County College (JUCO), and Point Boro — building one of New Jersey’s most respected small-school programs. We talk training philosophy, community buy-in, and how he runs the legendary Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park.⏱️ Show Notes with Timestamps00:00 – 02:00 | Howdy & Aloha Intro Rich & Jim welcome Coach Brian Decker back to the Shore — Point Pleasant Boro head coach with 30 + years of experience.02:00 – 05:00 | Point Boro Roots & Community Support, Nostalgia from the P

We are HERE, you are THERE, and you’re now rockin’ with the best.In EP 405, we go Belly to Belly with Billy George, head wrestling coach at Long Branch High School—a Shore Conference lifer carrying the Green Wave tradition.Coach George digs into Region 6 history, District 23 wars, NJ’s realignment era, the public vs. private debate, and how Long Branch rebuilt its room with a family-first culture (football, lifeguarding, surfing) where “life is wrestlebacks” still rings true.What you’ll hear: origin story, handing off/stepping up, building athletes from the ground up, lineup churn every year, schedule strength, division foes, district placement, and keeping Shore pride alive.Follow Long Branch Wrestling: @wavewrestlingnjFollow us: @aireybrosradio☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching (@blacksheependurance)

This special Airey Bros Radio roundtable previews the 2025 Jayhawk (Region 6) Cross Country Championships — featuring head coaches from the top-ranked NJCAA programs across the state. They break down training philosophy, course strategy, and what it’ll take to bring home the Region 6 title on Friday, October 24 in Colby, KS.

In Episode 403 of Airey Bros Radio, we head to Lansing, Michigan, to sit down with Coach Jim Robinson, longtime Head Coach of Lansing Community College Cross Country & Track.Now in his 19th year with LCC, Robinson has been part of seven NJCAA National Championships, earning three USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year awards. Since taking over in 2014, he’s led the Stars to four women’s titles (2015, 2016, 2021, 2022) and back-to-back Men’s NJCAA DII titles (2023 & 2024) — and as of Sept 2025, his men’s squad is ranked #1 nationally while the women sit #7.We dive deep into Robinson’s journey from Penn State runner to pastor to JUCO legend — exploring the parallels between ministry and coaching, the power of persistence, and how LCC has built a true family culture rooted in trust, hard work, and fun.

Howdy & aloha! We’re joined by Coach James Majenge, Head Cross Country Coach at Ranger College (@rangersxctf1926).  In just two seasons, Majenge has guided the Ranger women to a conference title and top-12 NJCAA finish, while leading the men to a top-15 national finish and producing multiple All-Americans and national qualifiers.We dig into his journey from South Africa → JUCO → NCAA All-American, mentoring international student-athletes, building a culture of family and discipline, and how Ranger’s small-town gravel-loop training grounds have become a distance runner’s dream.HighlightsOrigin story & culture shock arriving in New YorkRecruiting international and local athletes to West TexasTeam bonding & Friday ugali nights

Howdy & aloha! Airey Bros Radio laces up with Coach Chase Englestead, Head Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Coach at Snow College (Richfield/Ephraim, UT). Hired in 2024 to launch the Badgers’ program, Chase already has the men ranked #6 and women #7 in the NJCAA national poll. We dig into Utah’s deep distance culture, JUCO recruiting, elevation training (5,300–10,000 ft), Lydiard-inspired aerobic development (with selective double-threshold), the benefits of a tight small-campus setup, LDS mission maturity, and why Snow wants to make D1s nervous at invites—then points to Fort Dodge in November and the NJCAA Half Marathon.What you’ll learnHow to build a brand-new JUCO XC program into a national Top-10 in two yearsWhy Snow College’s elevation, trails, housing, and price are a recruiting cheat codeTraining philosophy: big aerobic base, thresholds, strength, and when double-thresholds make senseCulture > times: selecting athletes who raise the standard and stick with the processHow roster caps + Utah’s pi

Airey Bros Radio hits Episode 400 with Coach Jesse Parker, Head Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Coach at Blinn College (NJCAA). Blinn brought XC back for the first time since 1995—and in year one Parker led both teams into the USTFCCCA NJCAA D1 rankings, qualified for NJCAA Nationals, and enters 2025 ranked #10 men / #11 women. We dig into rebuilding a program from scratch, Texas recruiting, the JUCO pathway (cost, credits, transfers), training philosophy (Daniels/Lydiard/Co.), Brenham’s “poor man’s altitude,” hosting Region 14 on a hilly course, facilities updates, and how to build a winning culture that actually fits the community.Who should listen: HS athletes & parents, JUCO/NCAA coaches, distance-running nerds, and anyone weighing JUCO vs. D1/D2/D3.Follow Blinn XC: IG @blinn_xcFollow Airey Bros Radio: IG @aireybrosradio | YouTube @AireyBros | Spotify & Apple: Airey Bros RadioFueled by: Black Sheep Endurance Coaching (ultra, nutrition, & performance)Show Notes & Timestamps00:00 Cold open

Airey Bros Radio Episode 399. We sit down with Coach Chris Beene, Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Odessa College. Beene is one of the most decorated coaches in NJCAA history, leading South Plains College to 32 national team championships, earning 14 National Coach of the Year and 25 Coach of the Meet honors, and coaching more than 20 Olympians and World Championship athletes, 50-plus national champions, and 150-plus All-Americans. He was inducted into the NJCAA Coaches Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Texas Track & Field Coaches Hall of Fame in 2024. In 2024–25 he received four NJCAA Legacy Awards, the only JUCO coach to do so.We cover his coaching philosophy, recruiting approach, academic standards, rebuilding Odessa into a national contender, international athlete development, double-threshold training and distance strategy, and how West Texas culture shapes tough, successful programs.FollowAirey Bros Radio:YouTube: @AireyBrosSpotify: Airey Bros RadioInstagram: @aireybros

Ladies and gentlemen, howdy & aloha!

We’re going belly-to-belly with Coach Quinn White, the legendary Taylor University XC coach who led the Trojans to the only two NAIA team titles in school history (Men 2020, Women 2022). With 12 straight Crossroads League titles, dozens of All-Americans, and 200+ scholar-athletes developed under his watch, Coach White has built an NAIA powerhouse grounded in faith, culture, and blue-collar work ethic.As he prepares to retire after 16 seasons, we dive into his origin story, the “Mad Dogs” & “Jarheads” culture, double-threshold training (and why he protects athletes from junk miles), mental-health tools for coaches (“the gray dog”), and how Taylor keeps identity rooted in Christ first, athlete second. We also preview this season’s outlook (women #1, men #3 as of recording), the Florida State nationals course, and what’s next for Taylor XC.If you love college running, team culture, and honest coaching wisdom, this one’s for you.Watch the full YouTube replay SpotifyApple PodcastsInstagram Black Sheep Enduranc

Crowder College Head Coach Jake Holt joins Airey Bros Radio to break down how a brand-new NJCAA program rocketed into the national conversation—#7 men, #5 women (preseason)—and why JUCO is a powerful springboard for recruits.We cover Holt’s 20+ years at East Newton HS (17 conference titles, 17 district titles, 6 state trophies), the origins of SWMO Running Camp (400+ campers), Crowder’s international recruiting pipeline (Kenya), training philosophy (tempos, threshold hills, 1K benchmarks), life in the Ozarks (real trails, real hills), and a 2025 schedule that points straight at Fort Dodge—plus whether the team will double back for the NJCAA Half Marathon Championship.If you’re a high school XC/TF athlete, parent, or coach exploring JUCO → NCAA D1/D2/D3/NAIA pathways, this episode is packed with real talk on scholarships, fit, culture, development, and competing right away.

On Episode 395 of Airey Bros Radio, we sit down with Coach Mike DeRoehn, Head Wrestling Coach & Director of Strength & Conditioning at Lakeland University (NCAA Division III).Now in his 7th year overall leading the Muskies (3rd in his second stint), Coach DeRoehn has nearly two decades of coaching experience at Lakeland, UW-Platteville, and UW-Oshkosh. He’s built a reputation for rebuilding programs, producing NCAA qualifiers and Scholar All-Americans, and creating the “Muskie Tough” culture that extends across Lakeland athletics.In this conversation we cover:Rebuilding Lakeland Wrestling with leadership & stabilityThe “Muskie Tough” S&C system that guides every sport at LakelandCommunity-first culture with Headlocking Hunger & Sharpen the AxeLakeland’s Co-Op program (paid jobs + academic credit for athletes)Recruiting pipelines from Wisconsin, the Midwest & New JerseyDeveloping Scholar All-Americans & NCAA qualifiers

On this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we go belly-to-belly with Coach Dean Freitag, the new Head Cross Country & Track & Field Coach at Wilberforce University—the nation’s first private HBCU.A two-time NAIA Race Walking National Champion, Freitag shares how he’s rebuilding Wilberforce XC/TF from zero athletes to over 50 in less than a year. We cover recruiting philosophy, HBCU athletics, building a team culture, double-threshold training, and what it means to “embrace the suck.”

Returning guest and program-builder Coach Isaac Wood joins Airey Bros Radio to break down his next big challenge: launching the men’s cross country program at the University of the Pacific and re-energizing the women’s team in Stockton, CA. Fresh off five NJCAA national titles at Salt Lake CC and Coach of the Year honors, Wood explains how he’s translating JUCO dominance to NCAA Division I, why Pacific is a sleeper academic powerhouse, and what “UOP RG” (the regen mantra) means for culture, recruiting, and results. We get into year-one goals, West Coast Conference competition, race-day mindset vs. workout warriors, developing athletes into pro prospects, long-run routes through Lodi vineyards, and the season slate (San Francisco opener, Hawai‘i trip, big Minnesota test, Bronco Invite, WCC in Spokane, Regionals in Sacramento). If you’re a recruit, parent, or running nerd, this one’s loaded with actionable insight.

Director of Cross Country & Track & Field Sean Robinson joins Airey Bros Radio to unpack how he’s building Drew University into a Division III contender—after a decorated two-decade run at Morris Hills HS (10 state titles, 21 sectionals, NJSCA Hall of Fame). We cover honest D3 recruiting (why grades = money), the value of liberal arts & internships near NYC, data-driven training with gait analysis, and the mindset shift from “win” to “win or learn.” Robinson also details Drew’s first All-American (Sage Hendershot, 2024), school records, and hosting the Landmark Conference XC meet.You’ll hear about:Building a D3 program from the ground up—staffing, systems, cultureD3 merit aid vs. athletic $$$ and how academics unlock offersCampus/training: “The Forest,” trail access, Madison safety, NYC internshipsManaging athletes in the social-media era: focus > comparisonHands-on coaching: gait analysis, injury prevention, Google Classroom workflows2025 outlook: deeper rosters, first meet notes, and hosting

 Episode 391. We go belly-to-belly with Frank Perrelli (@fvp_iv • @treigninglab_ok) — NJ State Champion, Cornell NCAA All-American, 2x EIWA Champ, University National Champ, 4x U.S. Senior All-American & U.S. Open runner-up — now leading Treigning Lab Oklahoma, bringing Coach Sam Calavitta’s performance system to Stillwater.In this episodeJersey roots ➝ Delbarton ➝ Cornell with Coach Rob Koll & Mike GreyFrom Spartan Combat RTC coach to building Treigning Lab OKScience vs. simplicity in wrestling trainingTesting that matters: VO₂ max (treadmill), RMR, body comp (BIA), HTMA (hair mineral analysis), targeted labsNutrition & weight cuts the right way (food-first, individualized micros, essential amino acids, omegas)What most wrestlers miss in S&C (breathing/diaphragm strength, recovery metrics)Working with elite athletes and prepping for Worlds (RBY, Trent Hidlay)Frank’s daily routine (4am, red light, compression, training) & family life in StillwaterChapters 00:00 Cold open & ABR intro03:

Episode 390. The Von Erich Brothers are back! Ross & Marshall Von Erich join Airey Bros Radio to talk life in the Texas Hill Country, launching family events at the Ironwood Barn, winning the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Titles with Dustin Rhodes in the Sons of Texas, their path from MLW Tag Team Champions to AEW, and how they honor the Kevin Von Erich legacy while blazing a new one.If you love AEW, Ring of Honor, classic Texas wrestling, and the Von Erich family story—this one’s for you.Topics: AEW, ROH, Dustin Rhodes, Tony Khan, MLW, Stranglehold entrance theme, Ironwood Barn, Texas Hill Country, training, injury comeback, frequencies & routines, conspiracies (Old World/Tartaria), Goldberg, The Iron Claw, Von Erich legacy.Follow & Support Airey Bros Radio