Rylee Holtorf: Married in College, Grounded in Faith, and Chasing OKC

Florida softball standout Rylee Holtorf joins the show fresh off a Super Regional berth to share her remarkable journey—from early recruiting and transferring from Washington to finding her voice as a leader in Gainesville. In this episode, Rylee opens up about what it's like being married as a college athlete, how her faith keeps her grounded, and the pride she feels wearing orange and blue. With Oklahoma City in sight, Rylee reflects on the joy of the game, the strength of the Gator culture, and what it means to lead with love, purpose, and grit.

Korbe Otis: Balancing SEC Softball, Academic Excellence, and Surgical Aspirations

Korbe reflects on her high school journey, early recruitment, and the differences in playing in Colorado versus California. She discusses her transfer to the University of Florida, emphasizing mental game strategies and the challenges of balancing academics with athletics. Korbe also shares her aspirations in the medical field and considers a hypothetical switch to another sport. Korbe reveals her personal favorites, including her walk-up song and a golden ticket for AUSL, and concludes with a discussion about her legacy at the University of Florida.

Payton Washington: Resilience, Cheerleading Leadership, and Advocacy for Change

Join Payton Washington on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as she shares her inspiring journey in cheerleading, from an undefeated record to overcoming adversity. Payton discusses her early influences, the media's impact on cheerleading, and the mental challenges of leadership and fan expectations. She provides insights into team dynamics, recruiting, and balancing academics with athletics. Payton candidly talks about overcoming exhaustion, burnout, and a significant accident, rebuilding to All-American status, and finding her identity. The episode concludes with her advocacy for gun violence awareness and moments of perseverance.

Ty Johnson: Baylor Baseball, Faith, and Overcoming Challenges

Join Ty Johnson on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he shares his commitment to Baylor and the pride in their team culture. Ty discusses his baseball journey, the support system that has shaped him, and his development goals. The episode explores his experience in JUCO, aspirations for professional play, and the differences in resources between JUCO and Division I. Ty reflects on the impact of coaching consistency and faith at Baylor, team activities, and their influence on performance. He opens up about overcoming a life-threatening illness, bonding with teammates, and the contagious team spirit driving them towards Omaha. Ty's personal faith journey and resilience highlight the importance of embracing team identity and learning from past experiences.

Amber Toven: Transfers, Triumphs, and Faith in College Softball

Amber Toven joins ZenGame with Grant Gurtin to discuss her journey from Arizona to Baylor. She reflects on lessons from her first year, World Series experiences, and playing against Oregon State. Amber talks about Arizona's move to the Big 12, navigating the transfer portal, and her impressions of Baylor. She shares her role on the team, the support systems that helped her find faith, and her decision to get baptized. Amber also recounts her ACL injury, recovery, and adapting to new challenges. The episode highlights mental health in college sports, academic pressures, and tips for student-athletes.

Coach Freeland: Building a Winning Culture in Women's Basketball

Coach LeAnn Freeland joins ZenGame with Angelina Martell to discuss Coach Freeland's vision for FAU women's basketball. They explore the process of building a championship culture and overcoming challenges. Coach Freeland shares her transition from playing to coaching, her recruiting philosophy, and the values she instills in her program. The episode highlights memorable experiences and aspirations for the NCAA tournament. Coach Freeland closes with a message to fans about the excitement and expectations for the upcoming season.

Inside Acrobatics and Tumbling: Emily Bott & Gigi Rendino

Join Gigi Rendino and Emily Bott from Baylor on ZenGame with Daniela Hurtado as they discuss their journey from cheerleading to acrobatics and tumbling. They explore the growth of acrobatics and tumbling in college sports and the challenges faced from freshman to sophomore year, including injury management and self-care routines. The episode delves into the unique atmosphere of meets, the importance of teammate bonds, and navigating social media and NIL opportunities as athletes. Gigi and Emily provide insights into team dynamics, typical practice sessions, mental preparation, and setting goals. They share their pre-practice rituals, the role of faith in their careers, and offer advice for aspiring athletes. The episode concludes with their future aspirations.

Drew Mestemaker & Miles Coleman: Friendship, Football, and Team Impact at UNT

Join Drew Mestemaker and Miles Coleman on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as they explore their journey from early friendship to navigating the challenges of high school sports. They discuss their transition to college athletics, detailing their experiences acclimating to college football and the decision to choose UNT, including training with Jeff Christianson. The episode offers insights into preparing for and reflecting on significant games, like the Texas Tech matchup and bowl game experiences. Drew and Miles highlight the impact of their connection on team dynamics, sharing valuable advice for aspiring athletes. The conversation wraps up with closing remarks and a look toward the future.

J'Wan Roberts: Journey to the Final Four, Coach Sampson's Impact, and Competitive Drive

Join J'Wan Roberts on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he reflects on his journey in college basketball, including the challenges and triumphs of the season and reaching the Final Four. J'Wan shares insights from the loss to Baylor and the significant impact of Coach Sampson on his development. The episode delves into the role of competition, effort, and the intensity of practices in shaping athletes. J'Wan also offers observations on Duke's Cooper Flagg and the path to the Final Four, providing a candid look at the mental and physical demands of elite college basketball.

Reese Poffenbarger & Cam Dorner: Leadership, NIL, and Passion in College Football

Join Reese Poffenbarger And Cameron Dorner on ZenGame with Tommy Morris as they share their college football journey from recruitment to becoming a team leader. They discuss the challenges they have faced transitioning from high school to college football, offering insights into the different levels of college football and the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. The episode highlights their strategies for maintaining their passion for the game amid the pressures and demands of being a college athlete.

Terrance Arceneaux: Growth, Team Dynamics, and Sweet 16 Memories

Join Terrance Arceneaux on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he reflects on his bench experience and the key takeaways from the past year. Terrance shares insights into a day in the life before reaching the Sweet 16, including impactful messages from veteran players. The conversation delves into team dynamics, preseason challenges, and pivotal turning points, particularly highlighting the Kansas game. Terrance discusses the atmosphere and motivation during road games, while also exploring his personal growth and support system. The episode captures key contributions and fun moments throughout the season, concluding with closing remarks and expressions of gratitude.

Sara Vanderford & Jessica Mullins: From Players to Champions and Coaching at Texas State

Join Sara Vanderford and Jessica Mullins on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as they discuss their transition from players to coaches, offering insights into their new perspectives in the sport. They share their journey to Texas State, providing valuable advice to aspiring athletes and reflecting on their experiences playing professionally. The episode highlights the triumph of winning the conference championship, underscoring the support received from Coach Woodard and their teammates. Throughout the conversation, Sara and Jessica offer a thoughtful look at their evolving roles in college sports and the impact of strong team dynamics.

Josh Trevino: Coaching Texas State Softball, Mentorship, and Championship Journeys

Join Joshua Trevino on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he shares his journey and passion for Texas State Softball, highlighting his coaching experience with Jess Seary and the achievements of the senior class, including winning the Sunbelt championship. Joshua discusses the loyalty and challenges faced in mid-major sports, focusing on recruiting and player retention. The episode explores Maddie's growth, Sierra's leadership, and preparing for conference games. Joshua reflects on his first experience with softball, volunteering with Kat Osterman, and the lessons learned. He touches on his time at Arizona State, the hardest moments in coaching, and managing player expectations, concluding with his most exciting coaching moments and future goals.

Coach Josh Blakley: Recruiting Insights, Team Building & Mental Game in College Baseball

Join Josh Blakley on ZenGame with Tommy Morris as they delve into Josh's coaching journey and the intricacies of college baseball levels. The episode offers valuable advice for high school recruits, discussing key recruitment factors and the impact of the transfer portal and NIL on recruiting. Josh shares success stories, insights into character evaluation, and the traits that make athletes recruitable. The conversation highlights the value of multi-sport athletes and sport crossovers for baseball. They explore team-building strategies, season outlooks, and mental challenges in college baseball, concluding with a regional talent comparison.

Rashawn Galloway: From High School to Draft Year, Transformations and Building a Legacy

Join Rashawn Galloway on ZenGame with Tommy Morris as he shares his journey through high school sports, detailing his transition from football to baseball and his notable achievements. Rashawn discusses his physical transformation and its impact on his performance, as well as his evolution as a catcher, focusing on the importance of managing relationships with pitchers. He opens up about his aspirations and interactions with scouts during his draft year, providing insight into his experiences with college triples and summer ball. Rashawn concludes by reflecting on the legacy he hopes to leave beyond sports, offering a thoughtful perspective on his journey.

Keely Williams & Madison Azua: Trust, Team Bonds, and Reflections on Texas State Softball

Join Keely Williams and Madison Azua from Texas State softball on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as they share their experiences and insights into college sports. The episode begins with their first impressions and high school memories, highlighting the importance of building trust within the team. Keely reflects on her freshman year and the transition to Texas State, while both athletes share their favorite moments and emphasize the significance of team bonds over individual statistics. The conversation concludes with discussions on their season goals and long-term reflections, offering a thoughtful look at their journey in college athletics.

Gio Lopez: Transitions, Team Dynamics, and Embracing Challenges in College Sports

Join Gio Lopez on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as they revisit past interviews and mentorship experiences, reflecting on transitions and comparisons in playing style. The conversation explores the influence of other sports and the considerations surrounding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Delve into the impact of the transfer portal and personal influences on athletes. Gain insights into team dynamics, training, and recovery routines, while enjoying light-hearted and memorable moments shared by Gio. Discover teammates' potential and anecdotes of the hardest hits. The episode wraps up with discussions on overcoming challenges, setting future goals, and looking ahead to what's next.

Gabby Stagner & Ryley Harrison: Balancing Academics, Athletics, and a Winning Mindset

Join Gabby Stagner and Ryley Harrison on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as they discuss their experiences in top-level college sports. The episode delves into their decision to choose South Alabama and their initial impressions of the program. Gain insights into their performance, confidence-building, and coaching experiences. They share the challenges of balancing sports, academics, and personal growth, providing a candid look at their journey. The conversation shifts to their anticipation for the upcoming season, highlighting fun memories and what lies ahead.

Kamryn Bass & Ciara Trahan: Building Chemistry and Overcoming Challenges in D1 Softball

Join Kamryn Bass and Ciara Trahan on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as they dive into the anticipation of a new season, sharing insights into mid-major programs and the impact of facilities on recruiting journeys. They discuss team adaptation, freshman challenges, and overcoming adversity throughout the fall season. Explore the program's legacy, home field advantage, and the role of team chemistry in creating memorable moments. The episode delves into pitching strategy, emotional highs, and fun experiences, highlighting key achievements and aspirations for the season. Kamryn and Ciara reflect on their journey and share closing thoughts, offering a unique perspective on balancing academics and athletics.

Sawyer Robertson: Faith, Football, and Baylor's Bright Future

Join Sawyer Robertson on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he discusses finding his identity through faith and building excitement among Baylor fans. Sawyer reflects on his past season, future plans, and integrating special guests into his journey. He shares his experiences with notable quarterbacks and his recruiting journey with Mike Leach, including the choice not to play for Texas Tech. Sawyer delves into balancing faith with football, the impact of personal style on success, and preparing for a bowl game. The episode explores his influences from Texas high school football, the transition from baseball, and realizing football was his career path. Discover his decision to transfer to Baylor, the importance of faith, and aspirations for the future.