Javelin thrower Taran Taylor and John Wise, assistant director of track and field, discuss workouts during a pandemic and prospects for an indoor season. Taylor, from Ark City, details his rise as a standout thrower, his return from elbow surgery and how his engineering major might relate to the javelin.
Shockers assistant Chester Nichols – a former pass-rushing defensive lineman – updates us on the 2020-21 season. He discusses Wichita State’s newcomers and leadership progress by returners such as Carla Bremaud and Seraphine Bastian. We wrap up with Nichols recommending some of his favorite books.
Chelsea Scott breaks down fall volleyball practices for the Shockers and gives us a look at how the libero and setter spots might look in the spring. She talks about her Giants and 49ers favorites and her journey from playing libero at an NCAA Division II school in California to volunteer assistant and now full-time at Wichita State.
Fall baseball is finished and Wichita State baseball pitching coach Mike Pelfrey takes us through the developments – and some Halloween fun. We talk about his starting rotation, newcomers such as outfielder Seth Stroh and shortstop Andrew Stewart and the development of pitchers Connery Peters and Aaron Haase. Pelfrey dives into “spin rates” and how technology figures into coaching. He explains why and how Shocker coaches teach that worshipping velocity can be counterproductive for pitchers.
Junior pitcher Liam Eddy discusses the Shocker World Series, how adding a cutter expanded his repertoire and helped him rebound from a disappointing 2019 season. He reveals his father’s game-day superstitions and talks about hunting in Colorado.
Emani Jenkins, Asia Strong, Rachel Johnson, Ene Adams and Shamaryah Duncan join the podcast to discuss their choice in uniform numbers, WNBA favorites, Halloween candies and teammates helping them adjust to college.
Mark Grogan played baseball at Wichita State from 1982-85. His book “I Owe It all to Baseball,” details growing up in a family of nine and the drama that included. He learned to deal with his temper playing basketball and handled disappointment when the Minnesota baseball coach declined to recruit him. That rejection started him on a journey to Wichita State and a starting spot in the 1982 College World Series. He describes teasing from Charlie O’Brien at his first practice, the infamous Texas doubleheader in 1982, the rivalry with Oklahoma State and the talents of Shockers Russ Morman and Kevin Penner.
Wichita State freshmen Jaden Seymour, Chaunce Jenkins and Ricky Council IV and junior Trevin Wade discuss movie and TV recommendations, which Shocker veterans are guiding them, favorite NBA players and passing time during the pandemic.
Wichita State basketball newcomers Clarence Jackson, Craig Porter Jr., and Alterique Gilbert talk about their adjustment to the new program, flipping tractor tires to keep in shape, Gilbert’s experience as a make-you-miss running back, best shooters on the team and favorite TV shows.
Shocker volleyball scrimmaged Saturday and associate head coach Sean Carter joins the podcast with his impressions of the action. Brylee Kelly continued her strong fall and several freshmen played well. Carter details about how the program is handling the pandemic, the candidates to take over at libero and his best and worst birthday presents.
