Sports Surge

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Episode 9 of Sports Surge delivers one of the most personal and insightful conversations yet as hosts Brent Selhorst and Kyle Heyne welcome brothers Javin and Kalen Etzler to the show, live from the Coldwater Eagles. The Convoy Crestview standouts reflect on growing up in a basketball-first family, driveway battles that turned into championships, and the rare opportunity to play together on a Division IV state title team.The Etzler brothers dive deep into their shared Crestview experience, the leadership growth that fueled a title run, and the lessons learned from demanding coaching, adversity, and team-first basketball. Javin opens up about his winding collegiate journey from Miami of Ohio to Ashland University, detailing injuries, perseverance, and ultimately proving to himself that he could still compete at a high level. Kalen shares his four-year Big Ten experience at Ohio State, offering a behind-the-scenes look at elite college basketball, resources at the Power Five level, and the reality of daily life as a Division I athlete.The conversation expands into timely topics like AAU basketball, recruiting exposure, the transfer portal, and the evolving landscape of NIL, with thoughtful perspective from players who lived it. Along the way, the episode keeps its local roots front and center, blending high-level basketball insight with Midwest authenticity, humor, and honesty.It’s a must-listen episode that balances nostalgia, hard truths, and forward-looking conversation—another reason Sports Surge continues to be the go-to podcast for sports stories that matter in the Grand Lake Region and beyond.

This episode of Sports Surge dives deep into the evolving world of athlete development with guests Jacqui Broering, Founder of Performance Physical Therapy and Peak Performance, and Tim Moinet, Director of Athletic Development at Peak. Broadcasting live from the Coldwater Eagles, the conversation unpacks how training, recovery, and long-term athlete care have changed dramatically over the past decade.Jacqui and Tim explain how Peak began in a small storage closet, driven by one major concern: athletes were lifting incorrectly and paying for it with chronic injuries. Today, Peak has grown into a full-scale training operation serving athletes across Mercer County — from Fort Recovery to Minster and New Bremen — emphasizing proper mechanics, structured strength training, and science-backed recovery. Their message is clear: lifting heavy isn’t the problem, lifting wrong is. The right form can turn an average athlete into a standout, while poor mechanics can sideline even the strongest competitors.They also highlight what makes the MAC region unique: unmatched work ethic. Local athletes routinely show up at 5:30 am, juggling school, sports, and jobs — a discipline Tim says he rarely sees elsewhere.The episode explores injury prevention versus true performance training, the rise of recovery tools like cold plunges and red-light therapy, and how Peak collaborates closely with surgeons and therapists to create a seamless care pipeline. The team stresses that good movement, good habits, and good recovery not only extend athletic careers but build confidence, mental resilience, and long-term health.A powerful, insightful look at what it really takes to build better athletes — and better humans — right here in the Grand Lake Region.

Sports Surge — Episode 7 With Eric GoodwinEpisode seven of Sports Surge rolled live from the Coldwater Eagles 3025, where Brent and Kyle opened the night talking club upgrades, new menu additions, and the Eagles' remarkable 54 thousand dollars in community donations so far this year. From there, the guys welcomed a special guest — Coldwater Athletic Director Eric Goodwin, who brought nearly three decades of stories, perspective, and Coldwater pride to the table.Eric reflected on his roots at the old Menden Union, swapping memories about rivals, tiny graduating classes, and the realities of small-school life. He pulled back the curtain on what it really looks like to run an athletic department today — from juggling 35 different technology platforms, to the nonstop scheduling, to why the “ADs get summers off” myth is one of the funniest lies in high school sports.The conversation dug into the inner workings of the MAC, why Coldwater sees such low coaching turnover, and what sets the conference’s culture apart. Eric broke down things most fans never think about: how youth football actually doesn’t exist in the MAC, why that helps numbers, why live-streaming headaches aren’t the school’s fault, and how technology has made perfection the expectation.The guys also explored volleyball dominance across the region, district alignment headaches, the addition of girls soccer and bowling through Title IX, and why adding new sports takes far more than enthusiasm — it takes sustained numbers, balance, and long-term planning.Another big night, another loaded episode. Sports Surge keeps bringing the full story behind the scoreboard.

This week on Sports Surge, hosts Brent Selhorst and Kyle Heyne sit down with Kirby Stucke from the Mercer County Elks for a deep dive into one of Midwest Ohio’s favorite pastimes — golf. Kirby shares the story behind the Elks’ brand-new clubhouse, what it means for the community, and how it’s shaping the future of the organization.The conversation goes well beyond just the building — they get into how high school golf has evolved across the region, what’s fueling the sport’s local growth, and how younger players are stepping up to represent Mercer County on the greens. From the early morning tee times to the pride that comes with a well-played round, this episode captures the spirit of golf in small-town Ohio.Whether you’re a weekend golfer, a high school fan, or someone who just loves hearing about community projects done right, this episode has something for you. Grab a cold one, settle in, and listen as Kirby Stucke gives a firsthand look at how the Elks are keeping golf strong — and fun — in the heart of the Midwest.🎧 Available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Kyle & Brent sit down with Keith Wenning and discuss his incredible career. From Junior High through his final NFL season. The highs & lows, the wins and losses, most importantly, his gratitude for the opportunity to play the game he loves. Keith talks the transition from Football player, to dad and business owner in his hometown and what it's like to give back to a community that gave him so much growing up!

Former Major League & Korean baseball player, Jared Hoying, sits down with the guys to discuss his long career. Jared talks about his high school playing days, college, and how this crazy ride in the Majors began at just 21 years old. The guys also bring up:His Major League Home RunAlmost hit the cycleHow his 2nd KBO contract came to beWhat life is like now, as a father of 3 girls, with a 4th on the way.We Thank Jared for his time and awesome conversation!

The commish discusses the conference as a whole, the AD's, the administrations in the M.A.C., and how lucky we are to live where we do and to work with the people we work with in these M.A.C. schools. He talks the new playoff format for football, officiating, and how we, as spectators of the game, can help young officials gain confidence to stick around for a long time by being patient and allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them. Creating a positive environment goes a long way for both student athletes and officials. Next show October 1st, LIVE from the Coldwater Eagles from 7-8 P.M.

We talk with Ryan Steinbrunner from the Win on the Wabash Committee about their start, the quick growth and the future of this awesome Super Raffle.

We sit down with Nikki & Mike Etzler, Coldwater Volleyball, to discuss last years incredible team and look forward to the 2025 season.Rick Hartings, Owner, Pla Mor Lanes joins us to talk the Annual Bowlerstore.com PBA Event and High School bowling, youth bowling & how it has changed over the last 15 years.