States Up: Recent Episodes
Texas State Athletics
Texas State soccer sophomore Caitlyn Draper talks her young career and 2024 non-conference action.
Texas State football student-athlete Lincoln Pare talks recovering from injury and previews the 2024 season.
Junior middle blocker and Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Jade Defraeye talks the success of 2023 and what to look forward to with Texas State volleyball in 2024.
Texas State soccer head coach Steve Holeman talks accomplishments from the 2023 season and previews what's in store in 2024.
Taejha Badal from Texas State track and field joins the latest episode to discuss her recently qualifying for the Trinidad and Tobago national team for the upcoming Olympics, how she originally planned to train by herself before coming back to college, how her relay teammates push each other, her dedication to her training and preparation throughout the year, how she got into track, and more.
Texas State softball's JJ Smith joins the podcast to talk about the team's successful season so far, her path transferring to Texas State from Texas, how she developed into the hitter she is, and more
Hailey Jones from Texas State women's golf joins the latest episode to talk about her recently winning the Sun Belt individual championship as well as the team winning the conference team title, how her dad inspired her to play golf, the role head coach Par Nilsson played in her transferring to Texas State, and more.
Texas State football's Konner Fox joins the latest episode of the podcast to talk about his first year as a Bobcat, coming back to Central Texas as a San Antonio product, and more.
Kerrington Johnson of Texas State track and field discusses her start to her Bobcat career as a grad transfer, the influence of her dad who was a successful sprinter at Clemson, how she got into being a hurdler after starting out in cheer and tp dance, not starting hurdles until 10th grade in high school, creating content for her YouTube channel, life as a vegetarian, and more.
Piper Randolph of Texas State softball joins the latest episode to talk about how special this season can be as one of nine seniors, hitting a home run in head coach Ricci Woodard's 800th career win, how she got into softball, her career as a Bobcat, and her future career following law school.
Jordan Mason, sophomore from Texas State men's basketball, joins to talk about his second-year as a Bobcat, a look back at least year's Sun Belt tournament run ahead of this year's version, how he got into basketball, his relationships with his current teammates, and more.
Emily Niers, a sophomore from Calgary on the Texas State women's tennis, joins the latest episode to talk about her second season as a Bobcat, Texas State's recent run of success, why she chose to come to San Marcos from Calgary, and more.
Cameron Bush, one of 18 seniors on Texas State baseball, joins the latest episode of the podcast to look ahead at the 2024 season, a look back at being the only player on the roster to play on the 2019 team, his most memorable moments from his Bobcat career and more.
Anna Jones, one of nine seniors on this year's Texas State softball team, joins the podcast to talk about the upcoming season, the high expectations for the team, why she transferred back to her home state of Texas, her teammates, and more.
Daniel Harrold of Texas State track and field, who has rewritten the Texas State record books in the hurdles, joins to talk about why he started running track, how his teammates push him and he pushes them, his Olympic aspirations, his music career, his public relations, and more.
Ja'Niah Henson of Texas State women's basketball, in her first season as a Bobcat, talks about the journey so far at Texas State, how she gained the love for the game, who she models her game after as a point guard, and more.
Texas State safety Shawn Holton joins the podcast to reflect on the statement win at Baylor to open the 2023 season, the team's motivation as an underdog this year, being one of the 9 transfers on Texas State from UIW, the upcoming rivalry game with UTSA, his ability to give nicknames, and more.
Texas State volleyball's Samantha Wunsch shares what she learned from Janell Fitzgerald as a fellow right-side hitter, what it is like living with four other teammates, her successful softball career in high school, why she chose to play volleyball over softball in college, where her competitive fire comes from, her shared love of Mac and cheese with her coaches, and her aspiring career in resource management and climate change.
Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell answers questions from Bobcat fans going into the 2023-24 academic year, covering topics such as conference realignment, football and athletics gameday experience, facility updates, an update to the naming rights of Bobcat Stadium, why he decided to become an athletic director, and more.
Beau Corrales from Texas State football joins to talk about being one of the 70+ newcomers on the team, his early days at Texas State during his 7th year of college football, why he came back to Texas, his adversity with injuries and diabetes, and more.
Madi Goss from Texas State soccer talks about the 2023 season, playing for head coach Steve Holeman as he enters his second year, improving upon last year's success, and what she enjoys away from the pitch.
Texas State volleyball's Jacqueline Lee is on the latest episode of States Up as she and the Bobcats get ready for preseason practice starting on Aug. 8.
Nash Jones, a first-year transfer from Texas State football, joins the first podcast of the new season to discuss his transition to the Bobcats, his experience at Sun Belt Media Days, playing for head coach GJ Kinne and offensive line coach Jordan Shoemaker, his faith, and more.
Elisabet Runarsdottir (1:40) and Sedrickia Wynn (21:00) from Texas State track and field join to look ahead at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin next week. Runarsdottir shares what is different about competing overseas versus the United States (2:35), her upbringing in Iceland (4:40), how she got started with hammer throwing in 2016 (8:15), and her Olympic aspirations (17:15). Wynn, a first-generation college student, reflects on her remarkable year (22:00), achieving her goals this year (25:20), and what she wants to do with her criminal justice career (28:00).
Zeke Wood of Texas State baseball reflects on growing up in Paris, Texas (2:30), being recruited by Texas State out of junior college (3:50), the 2022 season and being the Friday Night starter (7:10), why he came back for an extra year and how he has battled through injuries this season (8:45), his friendship with Levi Wells (11:00), the emotion of Senior Day this year (13:30), and more.
Ciara Trahan from Texas State softball looks ahead to this weekend’s Austin Regional in the NCAA Tournament and why it’s a dream come true (2:50), how her interest in softball came from her mom (5:00), the challenging part of being recruited (5:55), this year’s mental struggle coming off last year’s award-winning season (9:10), the impact of being at Santa Fe High School during the school shooting in 2018 (14:20), and in what ways she leans on her family (16:30).
Former “Voice of the Bobcats” Bill Culhane joins the 50th episode to reflect back on his time at Texas State, how he got started in sports broadcasting (2:15), his time in the Air Force and abroad (5:45), who he idolized growing up (9:45), his favorite moment at Texas State and the 2005 football season (17:00), covering Nijal Pearson and other Bobcat athletes (24:00), retiring in 2020 (34:30), stories from the road with Brant Freeman (38:50), and an important message to Bobcat Nation (42:10).
Texas State softball’s Karmyn Bass discusses her freshman season as a Bobcat and covers how she got into softball at the age of five (1:45), when she realized she could play college softball (4:00), her recruiting process in the middle of a global pandemic (4:45), the competition at the catcher spot this season (6:30), the standout freshman class for the Bobcats (9:00), her relationship with her family (13:30), her matching tattoos with her mom (15:15), and more.
Texas State baseball’s Chase Mora is having a breakout season and joins the podcast to talk about where his love of baseball comes from (2:40), being a two-way player and his future plans to pitch again (5:15), looking back at his record-breaking start to the season (7:30), why he chose Texas State (11:15), his passion for hunting (14:00), and more.
Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell joins the podcast to give an update on the latest about the Bobcats as well as answer questions from Texas State fans, including his view of conference realignment and building rivalries with other schools in Texas (10:30), the top-three facility projects for Texas State (11:55), the relocation of Katzengarten at Bobcat Stadium (13:15), upcoming news about an NIL collective at Texas State (15:50), plans for an indoor facility (18:30), and more.
Texas State football’s Kaleb Ford-Dement shares his surreal journey so far playing football, from only playing one year of high school football (2:00), his time at Kilgore College (6:30), what it was like to be at Old Dominion in 2020 when it canceled its season (9:15), playing at Washington State (11:00), why Texas State (15:40), and what keeps him going despite all the setbacks and roadblocks.
Texas State football’s Brian Holloway shares his experience as a player with the new coaching staff (2:15), why he chose to start at the junior college level out of high school (4:30), what led him to Texas State (6:30), his friendship with the Bell brothers (7:15), and the role his family had on him playing football (11:00).
Former student-athlete and head coach David Bailiff rejoined the Texas State football program this week as a special assistant to the head coach, and in this episode, he discusses his return, why he came back, and what his connection is with head coach GJ Kinne.
Texas State softball’s Tori McCann discusses the recent wins over ranked Alabama and Texas (2:00), her relationship with her brother who was a catcher at Texas (2:20), her injury suffered in 2021 that forced her to play first base in 2022 (4:10), where her love of the game comes from (7:05), why she committed to Texas State as a high school freshman (7:50), and more.
Texas State women’s basketball head coach Zenarae Antoine discusses the championship-winning regular season experienced by the Bobcats, winning the conference’s coach of the year honor, what made this year’s team special, and more.
Texas State women's basketball student-athlete Ja'Kayla Bowie discusses winning the program's first conference title in 15 years, coming back to play for a fifth year, why she wants to become a coach after playing career is over, and more.
Texas State men’s basketball student-athlete Mason Harrell looks ahead at his final home game in a Texas State uniform (1:45), playing against his little brother earlier this season and his family’s support (2:30), his friendship with Trae Young (9:10), his recruitment process out of high school (10:00), his relationship with Texas State head coach Terrence Johnson (11:00), his pro basketball aspirations (17:00), and more.
Texas State baseball student-athlete Triston Dixon joins to reflect on last year’s historic season, the mentality of this year’s team compared to last year’s (2:45), why he chose Texas State (6:40), the mentality of a setup pitcher (8:30), teaming up with his teammate Austin Smith as a music duo (15:40), where his love of baseball comes from (19:30), and more.
Texas State softball student-athlete Sara Vanderford discusses dealing with expectations following individual awards (3:15), the superstition of a no-hitter (7:55), her friendships on the team (10:15), the role her family played in attending Texas State (11:55), being charitable during the recovery from Hurricane Harvey (16:20), her passion for coaching softball (19:00), her Houston Astros fandom (24:30), and more.
In this episode, new Texas State football associate head coach and special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato discusses his first weeks on the job, what it is like selling a program he is new to (3:15), experience as a student-athlete in the Sun Belt Conference (7:00), what makes a great special teams unit (12:00), how he formed a relationship with head coach GJ Kinne (15:40), and being a girl dad (17:40).
This week's podcast features Texas State baseball player Jose Gonzalez, who discusses his family (4:00), his Hispanic heritage (6:30), growing up as an Astros fan (7:45), what the 2021 season taught him and the team going into 2022 (12:20), most memorable home run from last season (15:25), expectations going into this season (23:20), and more.
Texas State alumnus and men’s basketball great Jeff Foster joins to talk about the upcoming court dedication in his name (1:30), the 1997 NCAA Tournament run by then known as Southwest Texas State (6:20), his recruitment process and being a late bloomer (10:45), the point he realized the NBA career was possible (15:35), the uncommon experience of being drafted the way he was (19:30), and more.
Texas State football offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich joins the podcast to talk about the transition from UIW to Texas State, his quick ascension in his coaching career (2:35), being a son of a coach (3:45), being a math teacher and high school coach a few years ago (6:40), his offensive philosophy (14:15), what he looks for in a quarterback (16:45), and more.
Texas State women’s basketball’s Tianna Eaton joins the podcast to discuss being fully healthy again after two seasons of recovery (1:40), why she chose Texas State after being in California her whole life (2:45), how she got into basketball (4:50), the impact of meeting Kobe Bryant during her recovery from injury (5:25), being one of eight kids (7:40), and more.
Texas State men’s basketball’s Nighael Ceaser joins the podcast to talk about his growth as a basketball player in year three at Texas State, battling back from an early-season injury (3:45), whether he likes blocking shots or dunking more (6:00), his family of five siblings (6:50), who models his game after (8:45), what he plans to do after Texas State (13:40), and more.
Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell gives insight into the recent search and hiring process for the new head football coach at Texas State. He shares on what went into the decision to make a change (2:10), who was on the search committee (5:00), what made G.J. Kinne stand out as the choice (6:10), details of the timeline and contract (9:30), what role facilities updates played in the hiring process (11:30), and his message to fans about the future of Texas State football (16:30).
Texas State women’s golf’s Marine Griffaut discusses life as an international student-athlete in the United States, from recruiting, to arriving in the U.S., to getting settled in with her new teammates. She also discusses her first experience having a Thanksgiving (1:50), playing golf in France (3:30), how she got into golf (6:10), recruitment process (8:45), learning English (11:00), and her major in communications and journalism (18:45).
Texas State Hall of Honor inductee Bradley George, who will be enshrined on November 25, 2022, relives some of the highlights of his Texas State career, including joining the team as a 23-year-old freshman in 2005 (4:45), winning a conference championship in 2008 (12:00), playing in the FCS playoffs (19:30), and attempting to play professional football after his time as a Bobcat (22:00).
Kennedy Taylor of Texas State women’s basketball joins the show to talk about setting the program’s all-time career assists record (2:30), her relationship with teammates like Da’Nasia Hood, Jaeda Reed and Taelour Pruitt (4:45), what it was like playing basketball in DFW growing up (6:40), her younger brother, who plays at Texas A&M (9:15), playing tennis in high school (11:45), and more.
Texas State men’s basketball’s Brandon Davis joins to talk about winning an NAIA national championship last year with Loyola (1:30), his recruitment process to Texas State (3:35), his journey through college basketball (4:25), growing up as the middle child with two sisters (10:15), and more.
Texas State volleyball’s Tessa Marshall joins the show to talk about what it is like to play for head coach Sean Huiet (5:20), how she got into volleyball (6:20), her family’s cooking (11:30), her love for plants (23:00), and what she plans to do after her volleyball career is over at Texas State (24:30).
Texas State soccer’s Bailey Peschel joins to talk about her injury-shortened season (2:55), what has stood out to her about this year’s success as a team (5:00), how she ended up choosing to play soccer (7:20), her post-college plans as an accountant (11:30), and if she plans to play another year of college soccer and come back from her injury (16:20).
Texas State football’s Levi and Ben Bell join the podcast to talk about their upbringing and what it means to play alongside each other as teammates (1:45), their journeys through adversity (6:10), how they honor their late father (8:55), their respective diets (11:00), and how they became close growing up (16:00).
Texas State volleyball’s Courtney Heiser sits down before the weekend matches against Southern Miss to discuss what it has meant to play for the Bobcats (1:55), how she fell in love with the sport of volleyball (7:45), her family dynamic and how she gained her competitive nature (8:50), why October is her favorite time of year (11:10), and what she plans to do in her future medical career (17:50).
Texas State football’s Ashtyn Hawkins, who is off to a record-breaking start in 2022, joins the podcast to reflect on some early season highlights (1:40), his journey from one year of high school varsity football to Texas State (4:55), his chemistry with teammates (7:50), what it takes to be a slot wide receiver (9:10), who he models his game after (10:00), and more.
After the first week of official practices ahead of the 2022-23 seasons, Texas State men’s basketball’s Davion Sykes (2:00) and women’s basketball’s Kennedy Claybrooks (16:00) join to highlight their early experiences as incoming freshman Bobcats as well as discuss their athletic backgrounds. Sykes talks about his dad, who played at Texas State in the early 2000s (5:15), why he chose Texas State (9:45), and what head coach Terrence Johnson is like (11:25). Claybrooks shares her recruitment experience (17:10), her family’s relationship with Ja Morant (24:30), how her mom has impacted her life and continues to impact her and others (26:30).
Texas State soccer student-athlete Juana Plata represents El Salvador on the country’s national soccer team, and she shares more about the El Salvadoran culture (3:10), how she supports teammates through her role as a team leader (9:45), what brought her to San Marcos after starting her career at Lamar (11:50), and her career aspirations after her senior season this year is over (14:15).
Texas State football radio broadcast Geff Gandy joins the podcast to talk about what it will be like to call the Texas State-Baylor game on Saturday as a Baylor alum (5:00), how he got started in radio broadcasting (8:55), what he has learned about Texas State football over the last three years (16:15), what it was like playing for Baylor in the early 1980s (18:45), what he remembers most about his NFL career (27:50), and more.
Texas State setter Emily DeWalt discusses a wide range of topics, including what she thinks about when looking back at her career accomplishments (7:20), her motivation to come back for a fifth year (8:45), playing through injury in 2021 (10:40), reflecting on the early-season tournament in Hawaii (15:25), why it is important to play for a program that is so accepting (18:00), her basketball fandom (20:15), and more.
Redshirt sophomore running back Calvin Hill joins States Up to talk about his relationship with fellow running back Jahmyl Jeter (3:15), why he appreciates Coach Spavital trusting him to make big plays (4:00), the meaning behind his jersey number change to No. 11 (7:30), the pain of losing his roommate and brother within a year of each other (10:10), and the meaning behind his tattoos (13:55).
Host Brant Freeman and Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell take part in the first “Ask the A.D.” of the year. Coryell answers questions from Bobcat Nation submitted on social media, including a fundraising update on the South End Zone Complex (6:40), resources available for Bobcat student-athletes in NIL and traction by fans to create an NIL collective (8:20), getting the student section full at football games (10:50), facility updates for baseball and softball (19:00), order of importance for future facility projects (25:50), and more.
Host Brant Freeman and Texas State football player Jarron Morris talk about his journey back from a season-ending injury a year ago and the setbacks since (2:20), his talk to the team about mental toughness (6:50), how he ended up at Texas State (7:45), origin of his nickname “Baby J” (12:35), and what his philosophy is behind being a football player (21:10).
Host Brant Freeman and Texas State volleyball player Janell Fitzgerald discuss a wide range of topics, including why she came back for a fifth season (2:25), the sting of how last season ended and how it serves as motivation (9:40), her future career in health care administration (11:05), the support she receives from her dad (13:00) and brother (15:00), and how she feels empowered by NIL (20:15). She also gives advice to other student-athletes who are looking to build a personal brand and take advantage of NIL (23:20).
Host Brant Freeman and Texas State soccer player Kiara Gonzales share what it was like being adopted at the age of six and still stay connected with her siblings (4:45), the dynamic of having a twin brother (7:50), her career aspirations as a crime scene investigator (9:40), what it is like playing for new Texas State soccer coach Steve Holeman (11:45), how she fell in love with the game of soccer (15:55), the diversity on the team (20:50), and the meaning behind her tattoo (25:50).
Host Brant Freeman and Texas State offensive lineman Kyle Hergel chat about Hergel’s Canadian heritage (2:55), how tough it is to be recruited out of high school in Canada (8:10), being one of the strongest guys on the team (14:35), attending the OL Masterminds camp – a “big guy’s heaven” – this summer (17:45), playing for offensive line coach Brian Hamilton (22:45), and more.
Host Brant Freeman and new Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse have an insightful conversation during his first month on the job. They discuss Damphousse’s leadership style (2:45), where his passion for college athletics comes from (26:10), his relationship with Director of Athletics Don Coryell (33:15), what went down during the Sun Belt Conference’s expansion in 2021 (43:45), and why Bobcat fans will see him everywhere in San Marcos, especially athletics events (51:35).
In this episode of the States Up podcast, host Brant Freeman and Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell recap Coryell’s first year as the AD – a year that was capped by a historic baseball season and a Bubas Cup victory (2:30). He then shares the process of signing head baseball coach Steve Trout to a contract extension (4:00), the significance of winning the Bubas Cup (16:30), the 50th anniversary of Title IX and its impact at Texas State (18:30), big basketball news (23:05), and a discussion around Bobcat football and impact of the transfer portal overall (25:40).
In this episode of the States Up podcast, host Brant Freeman and Texas State track and field’s John Frazier and Alyssa Wilson talk about the track and field season in 2022 but also look ahead to the summer of national and international competitions. Frazier discusses his experience so far in San Marcos after taking over the program last summer, what Wilson does well to be a great athlete (24:00), the mentors he’s had in his coaching career (25:30), and what makes San Marcos special (28:50). Wilson goes into what it is like accomplishing some of her athletic goals (32:55), what the next steps are in her throwing career (33:55), and how she became a thrower after originally playing basketball growing up (35:30).
In this episode of the States Up podcast, host Brant Freeman and Texas State baseball’s Tristan Stivors talk about the historical regular season by the Bobcats as they go into the Stanford Regional (15:10). Stivors also shares his “best on the field” mentality as a closer (19:45), the importance of a well-rounded bullpen (23:40), Triston Dixon and Austin Smith as a music duo (24:45), and going from a former football recruit to the nation’s leader in saves (27:15). Freeman also highlights Texas State winning the Sun Belt’s Bubas Cup, which is awarded to the top athletic department of the year.
In this episode of the States Up podcast, host Brant Freeman and Texas State track and field’s Dominick Yancy discuss what he’s enjoyed most in his first year at Texas State (21:30), how he would describe the Texas State coaching staff and how they have made him better (24:00), the influence of his mom, a former standout track athlete, on his career (27:30), the meaning of his tattoos, including one that says “the body achieves what the mind believes” (28:30), why he got into cutting hair (29:20), and more. Freeman also recaps the end of the regular season for the Sun Belt regular season champion Texas State baseball team as they prepare to head to the Sun Belt Conference Championship tournament in Montgomery, Ala.