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Sports Surge

by WCSM Radio

Season 1

Betting on Yourself: Cole Etzler's Drive to Coach College Volleyball

Welcome to Episode 19 of Sports Surge! This week, Kyle Heyne and special guest host Matt Bruns sit down with Coldwater native Cole Etzler. Cole currently serves as the undergraduate student manager and technical coordinator for the top-ranked University of Louisville Cardinals women’s volleyball team. Cole pulls back the curtain on the intense, behind-the-scenes grind of a premier Division I program. He breaks down his unique journey, from discovering his passion for coaching while taking stats as a high school sophomore to networking his way onto the Louisville staff. Episode Highlights: The Path to the ACC: How commuting to play club volleyball at Munciana and a chance encounter peppering with Coach Dan Meske led to his recruitment. Coding the Court: A deep dive into real-time analytics, complex keystroke coding, and grading serve-receives during high-stakes matches. Sibling Rivalry: The surreal experience of managing against his sister, Spencer, during a massive Top 5 showdown with Stanford. The Pro Stage: Stepping up as an assistant coach for the Major League Volleyball All-Star game in Orlando, broadcast on CBS. Future Goals: Cole's plans to graduate in 2028, become a graduate assistant, and pursue a full-time collegiate coaching career. Whether you're a high school player eyeing the next level or just a fan of the game, Cole's story is a masterclass in putting in the work, grabbing opportunities, and betting on yourself!

Building a Cardinal Culture (and Surviving a Train) with Chad Wells

Welcome back to episode 18 of Sports Surge on 96.7 The Wave! This week, hosts Brent Sellhorst and Kyle Heyne sit down with Chad Wells, the Director of Athletics and head baseball coach for New Bremen. Broadcasting live from the Coldwater Eagles 3025, the guys dive deep into Chad's extensive athletic and coaching journey in the Grand Lake region. Chad shares his path from growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to throwing high heat as a pitcher for Ball State University. He reminisces with Kyle about their Ball State connections, the competitive nature of MAC baseball, and the changing landscape of college recruiting in the NIL era. Chad also unpacks his winding coaching career, starting as a varsity assistant at Coldwater, navigating a sudden job loss at Minster, scheduling independent football games at Fort Loramie, and finally finding his long-term home at New Bremen. As New Bremen's Athletic Director, Chad gives an inside look into the community's incredible athletic turnaround. He credits the school's tight-knit coaching staff, who prioritize sharing multi-sport athletes during the grueling summer months, for building a unified winning culture. He also reflects on the magical 2020 State Football Championship run, including his unforgettable impromptu halftime speech at Massillon to keep the game from being shut down due to COVID-19 protocols. Chad also weighs in on the future of high school basketball with the implementation of the shot clock, noting that New Bremen is already ahead of the curve. To cap it off, Chad shares his essential advice for young assistants, his quirky left-shoe game-day superstitions, and a jaw-dropping family story about why he always lifts his feet when driving over railroad tracks. Grab this episode on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon to hear all the great stories!

The Grand Lake Surge: Net-Cutting, Core Values, and the Making of a Division VI Dynasty

Welcome to episode 17 of the Sports Surge podcast! In this exciting installment, hosts Brent Sellhorst and Kyle Heyne sit down with St. Henry High School's head girls basketball coach, Nate Uhlenhake. Coach Uhlenhake joins the show fresh off leading the Lady Redskins to an incredible 2026 Division VI State Championship with a stellar 27-1 record! The conversation covers Nate's incredible journey from being a 2012 St. Henry graduate to taking over a 6-17 basketball team in 2021, and eventually transforming them into state champions in just a few short years. Coach Uhlenhake dives deep into the crucial role that faith, and tight-knit community support played in the team's success, especially when overcoming tough adversity like an unexpected injury during the state semifinals. He also shares his program's core guiding values: courage, together, and joy. But it's not all serious basketball strategy! The guys share plenty of laughs discussing the legendary mustache Nate grew to fulfill a bet with his players. They also debate the proper way to construct a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with Nate revealing that his go-to pre-game meal is a homemade PB&J. Above all, Nate expresses deep gratitude for his dedicated coaching staff, the supportive St. Henry community, and the unwavering backing of his wife, Brooke, throughout the demanding season. Tune in for an inspiring mix of sports talk, life lessons, and Grand Lake region pride!

Dare to Believe: Building a Dynasty with New Bremen Volleyball Coach Diana Kramer

In episode 16 of Sports Surge, hosts Brent Sellhorst and Kyle Heyne sit down with New Bremen Volleyball head coach and newly announced principal, Diana Kramer. Coach Kramer takes listeners on a journey from her roots as a St. Henry graduate who didn't see the varsity volleyball court until her junior year, to earning a full-ride scholarship to play at Duquesne University. She opens up about the difficult decision to leave teaching and coaching at her alma mater to build a program in New Bremen, a community where her husband worked and her family lived. Kramer details the dramatic turnaround of the New Bremen program, transforming a team that initially struggled with basic fundamentals into a powerhouse that went on to win four state championships. Impressively, in her ten years at the helm, the team is averaging an astounding 2.8 losses per season. Throughout the interview, Coach Kramer emphasizes her coaching philosophy, anchored by the team motto to "dare to believe". She discusses the fierce competition of high school volleyball in the MAC and the Midwest, the importance of surrounding yourself with great people, and why she pushes her athletes to prioritize face-to-face communication over social media apps like Snapchat. Coach Kramer also highlights the importance of accepting your role on a team and working hard when no one is watching. Tune in for a highly inspiring conversation filled with valuable life lessons, and a surprising revelation about Coach Kramer’s hidden talent for playing the flute, piccolo, and oboe! She was also able to get Brent & Kyle to say Go Cardinals!

Leadership, Overcoming Adversity and OHSAA Fallout with Jerry Snodgrass

Welcome back to Episode 15 of Sports Surge, broadcasting live from the Coldwater Eagles 3025! After a month away covering tournament basketball and logging nearly 2,900 miles on the road, hosts Brent Selhorst and Kyle Heyne return to the mics. This week, they are joined by a true Ohio high school sports legend: former OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass. In this deeply candid and educational interview, Jerry opens up about his journey from a student-athlete in Upper Sandusky and the University of Tampa to becoming a pivotal figure in Ohio athletics. He shares behind-the-scenes details of his 12-year tenure at the OHSAA, where his duties expanded from managing five sports to fourteen without a pay raise. Jerry provides a gripping firsthand account of the unprecedented COVID-19 shutdown, describing the immediate chaos of canceling the state basketball tournaments with just over 12 minutes left in warm-ups at St. John Arena. Beyond the administrative decisions, Jerry discusses his unexpected and confusing exit from the OHSAA, explaining how he used personal adversity—including the tragic loss of his only son—to push open new doors and continue serving others. The hosts also dive into the current landscape of Ohio sports, debating the expansion to seven divisions and the complexities of tournament formulas. Topping it off, Jerry shares a powerful, heartwarming story about a simple act of kindness involving a state tournament game ball and local athlete Brayden Monnin. Whether you are a coach, athlete, or passionate fan of the Grand Lake region, this episode is packed with profound lessons on leadership, resilience, and the true impact of high school sports.

The Cavalier Standard: 80 Years of Diamond Excellence with Coach Cory Klenke

In Episode 14 of the podcast, hosts Brent Selhorst and Kyle Heyne sit down with Coldwater Baseball Head Coach Cory Klenke to preview the 2026 season and reflect on a coaching legacy that has defined the community for decades. Now entering his fourth year at the helm, Klenke discusses the "Cavalier Standard"—a culture where depth is so significant that junior varsity players are often talented enough to be varsity starters at most other schools. Klenke credits his development to his father’s tireless dedication and the mentorship of Hall of Fame coaches Brian Harlamert and Chip Otten. The dialogue captures the emotional weight of Klenke’s transition to head coach following the passing of Coach Harlamert, highlighting how he relies on a loyal staff—including Harlamert’s son, Aaron—to maintain the program's foundation. As a math teacher, Klenke brings a grounded, "old school" perspective to the modern "analytics era," prioritizing consistency and defensive fundamentals over flashy metrics like exit velocity or launch angles. For the 2026 season, the Cavaliers face the daunting task of replacing nearly their entire pitching staff, which graduated almost every inning from the previous year. Klenke is leaning on a large group of 11 juniors to step up and keep the "train on the track". The episode also explores Klenke’s own journey, from his three-sport high school career to his collegiate debut at Miami University in front of 8,000 fans at Clemson. Between discussing his new role as the girls' golf coach and the "little eyes" that watch every practice from the park fences, Klenke makes it clear that Coldwater baseball remains an electric, community-driven powerhouse.

"Just Smile": Inside the Mind of Minster Coaching Legend Mike Wiss

Welcome to episode 13 of Sports Surge, broadcasting live on 96.7 The Wave! This week, we sit down with a true Grand Lake region legend: Minster teacher and coach, Mike Wiss. With an incredible 32-year career under his belt, Coach Wyss has guided student-athletes across football, basketball, and baseball. During our chat, we dive deeply into his remarkable coaching journey, which boasts an impressive seven state titles and a well-deserved induction into the high school baseball Hall of Fame. Coach Wiss opens up about his college days playing baseball at the University of Dayton alongside other talented MAC athletes, and what it meant to return to his alma mater to build his career. He shares heartfelt memories, including the incredibly special experience of winning the first-ever Division VII baseball championship with his son on the roster. We also explore the proven philosophies that fuel his programs. From reminding his athletes that "little eyes are always upon you" to his simple, powerful game-day advice to "just smile," Coach Wiss is a master of building team culture. He highlights the deep importance of community support, creating a sports family through team trips to Knoxville, Tennessee, and leaning on incredible assistant coaches like Nan Stechschulte. We even uncover his hidden passion for Civil War history and his three-hour visits to Gettysburg! A huge thank you to our hosts, the Coldwater Eagles 3025—stop by for their Ash Wednesday and Lenten fish dinner specials!

Striking Gold: Records, Resets, and the Pro Tour with Michael Davidson

In the twelfth installment of Sports Surge, hosts Brent Selhorse and Kyle Heyne broadcast live from the Coldwater Eagles 3025, celebrating a milestone of over 1,400 downloads. This episode centers on a deep dive into the professional bowling world with guest Michael Davidson, a PBA standout hailing from Versailles, Ohio. Davidson shares insights into his record-breaking 12-game stretch where he averaged an incredible 257.17, shattering a 30-year record previously held by legend Mike Aulby. The conversation explores the mental and technical rigors of the pro tour. Davidson describes the elusive "flow state" required for elite performance but humorously reveals that even during his record-setting run, he managed to throw four gutter balls. He emphasizes the importance of a quick mental reset, noting that there is no reason to be mad about a gutter because a lack of focus on the following shot could result in losing even more pins. Listeners also get a "behind-the-scenes" look at tournament logistics, from navigating specific oil patterns like "Cheetah" and "Dragon" to the unique challenges of the US Open, where patterns are often revealed only thirty minutes before practice. Davidson details the strategic use of his equipment and how the PBA’s mobile semi-truck allows athletes to drill new balls mid-tournament to adapt to changing lane conditions. It’s an essential listen for any fan looking to understand the precision and grit required to compete at the highest level of the PBA.

The Price of Admission: Culture and Continuity with Kurt Goettemoeller

In the eleventh episode of Sports Surge, recorded live at Coldwater Eagles 3025, Brent & Kyle sit down with Marion Local head basketball coach Kurt Goettemoeller. Now in his 15th year leading the Flyers, Goettemoeller discusses the program's impressive 10-1 start and the specific challenges of coaching in a community where football success often delays the start of the basketball season. He explains that while the team typically only receives six or seven practices before their first game, the mental toughness and work ethic of the athletes allow them to find their rhythm quickly. The conversation delves into the program’s philosophy, which Goettemoeller defines through three pillars: playing great defense, rebounding like crazy, and being the most aggressive team. He emphasizes that at Marion Local, effort is non-negotiable—it is the "price of admission" for every player. The discussion also highlights the program's history of utilizing size and versatility, noting that even without a 6'10" center this year, the roster features multiple players over 6'3" who create matchup problems. Closing the episode, Goettemoeller reflects on the final season in "The Hangar," Marion Local's iconic, low-ceiling gymnasium. He describes the unique, loud atmosphere that "cookie-cutter" modern gyms often lack and looks forward to the transition to a new facility next year.

Building the Standard: A New Era of Coldwater Basketball

In Episode 10 of Sports Surge, hosts Brent Selhorst and Kyle Heyne broadcast live from the Coldwater Eagles 3025 to discuss the evolution and future of area athletics. The featured guest for the hour is Will Hoskins, the first-year head coach for the Coldwater Cavaliers boys' basketball team. Coach Hoskins shares his unique journey to Coldwater, which included teaching in inner-city Fort Worth, Texas, and coaching at Trotwood-Madison and New Bremen. He reflects on the transition from being an assistant under Nick "Fish" Fisher to leading his own program. Hoskins emphasizes that while the team is young and lacked returning varsity experience, they have shown significant growth despite a grueling schedule that saw only 17 practices compared to eight games due to a deep football playoff run. The conversation delves into Hoskins' coaching philosophy, which is rooted in defensive intensity and structured sets. He explains that while he prefers a high-paced "Trotwood style" of play, he has adjusted his schemes to fit his current personnel, including 6'9" sophomore Jack Bruns. Hoskins also highlights his "fresh blood" coaching staff, including JV coach Ben Winning and 20-year-old freshman coach Cooper Sheih, praising their dedication as "gym rats". The episode concludes with lighthearted banter about golf struggles, NFL playoff bets involving a Patriots hat, and a shared love for Michigan football. Selhorst reminds listeners that the program aims to highlight the past, present, and future of Grand Lake sports.

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