Sports Surge

Rowing the Boat in "The Garage" with UNOH Coach Richard Westerlund

Brent Selhorst and Kyle Heyne sit down with University of Northwestern Ohio Men's Basketball Head Coach, Richard Westerlund, for an absolute masterclass in leadership, resilience, and culture building. Coach Westerlund doesn't hold back as he opens up about: * Becoming a head coach at just 19 years old and winning a state title with his identical twin brother, Sean. * Surviving a brutal 0-18 start to his college coaching career before rallying to win a National Championship. * How personal tragedy reshaped his life perspective and fueled his passion to impact young athletes. * Why the unique atmosphere of UNOH's home gym, "The Garage," is the ultimate home-court advantage. * An unbelievable, behind-the-scenes look at how the twins almost ended up on CBS’s The Amazing Race! Grab a pizza from the Coldwater Eagles, put your feet up, and tune in! 👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music!

Submarines & Summer Ball: Alex Dues on the Mariners' Hot Start

Welcome back to the number one mowing podcast in the Grand Lake region! In Episode 20 of Sports Surge, Brent and Kyle sit down with 2024 Fort Recovery graduate and current Grand Lake Mariners pitcher, Alex Dues. Alex takes us through his unique journey to becoming a submarine pitcher, a transition that started in his driveway during 2020 and has now become his signature weapon on the mound. He shares the physical mechanics behind dropping his arm angle into the dirt and how it takes the tension off his elbow, allowing him to pitch almost every day without arm fatigue. The guys also dive into Alex's collegiate career at Marietta College, discussing the rigorous travel schedule, the bond formed during long bus rides playing "Mafia," and his growth heading into his third year. We get an inside look at the Grand Lake Mariners' incredible 8-1 start this summer. Alex breaks down what it’s like playing for the legendary Coach Roberts, whose "backyard baseball" philosophy and unorthodox coaching methods—like making the team dance with no music on day one—have sparked a resilient, winning culture in Celina. Finally, Alex reflects on his unforgettable state tournament run with Fort Recovery under Coach Eyink, the mental grind of the transfer portal, and whether or not he has a go-to pregame superstition. Grab your headphones, fire up the mower, and enjoy!

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!