Wichita State coach Keitha Adams wraps up the summer with a look at the team’s six newcomers. She discusses how the Shockers devoted much of their summer to shooting and why she read through almost 800 pages of plays to keep her team unpredictable. Adams starts the podcast with anecdotes from her relationship with NCAA champion coach Don Haskins of UTEP. Why did Shockers DJ McCarty and Trajata Colbert finish last season strong? Adams hits that topic, as well.
Associate head coach Sean Carter gets us started on the 2021 season with his thoughts on a strong group of setters, the possible return to the 5-1 system and the potential at libero and defensive specialist that a 5-1 would highlight. Carter describes the American Athletic Conference race, Sophia Rohling’s next steps after an all-conference season and the depth at middle blocker.
Shocker coach Isaac Brown wraps up the summer with updates on his newcomers, Craig Porter’s strong workouts and how the NBA experience sets up the season for guard Tyson Etienne. He discusses Kenny Pohto’s summer with his national team, favorite restaurant and where he wants the Shockers to improve. Also, Twitter questions from fans.
AfterShocks coach Zach Bush joins the podcast to preview Saturday’s (11 a.m. on ESPN) game in The Basketball Tournament. He discusses Conner Frankamp’s joy, Markis McDuffie’s dance moves and Fred VanVleet’s coaching role from behind the bench. Bush also talks about roster moves entering the TBT quarterfinals, how his assistant coaches work together and a look at Florida TNT.
Third baseman Ryleigh Buck and shortstop Sydney McKinney discuss winning the conference title, their walk-up songs and the season’s top defensive plays. McKinney reveals her secret about Hi-Chew candy. They also talk about when they knew the Shockers had something special going and the big summer event in McKinney’s hometown of Norborne, Mo.
Senior Madison Perrigan is Wichita State’s career home run leader with 42 entering this week’s tournament at Wilkins Stadium. She joins the podcast to talk about Wichita State’s 11-3 record, a win over then-No. 23 Iowa State and the turnaround for the pitching staff. Perrigan also gives the background on her walk-up songs, cheers in the dugout and how she selected Wichita State for college.
The Shockers face SMU this weekend at Koch Arena and associate head coach Sean Carter discusses his team’s 7-0 start. We talk about the chemistry and energy returning to the Shockers, the competition at libero and why Nicole Anderson’s volleyball IQ can help her act as a coach on the floor. Carter also discusses how teams are defending Wichita State’s middles and why he will remember senior Brooke Smith as the ultimate teammate.
Dr. Brianna Ward is athlete mental health coordinator and staff psychologist at Wichita State, a position she has held since August 2020. Ward discusses how she moved into working with athletes as a career, how Wichita State is helping its student-athletes during these challenging times and the progress on removing the stigma of asking for help. Ward also reveals her favorite college football player and the restaurant she frequents during her short time as a Wichitan.
Baseball season is near and broadcaster Shane Dennis joins the podcast to discuss the 2021 Shockers. We talk about newcomers to the pitching staff, the impact of a healthy Paxton Wallace on the lineup and how the Shockers might navigate four-game weekend series. Dennis also details how coaches Gene Stephenson and Jim Thomas handled losing spades games on baseball bus trips in the 1990s, his favorite teammate nicknames and the case for playing Cooper Elliot at all nine positions in a tribute to former Shocker Mike Jones.
Bartlett, a senior outfielder on the baseball team, is a transfer from Saint Louis University. He talks about his first impressions of the coaching staff, talking hitting with his teammates, why he keeps a journal and the Shocker pitcher who causes him the most headaches. Bartlett also discusses dealing with failure in baseball, a future in school psychology and which teammate is the best hunter/fisherman.
