The Sidelines

The Sidelines: Episode 26 kicks off the RMAC's swim and dive series, preparing for the 2025 RMAC Swimming and Diving Championship in just one week. Episode 26 features Tori Meklensek, senior freestyle swimmer for Simon Fraser University. Meklensek, originally from Ontario, Canada, shares her unique experience as a Canadian student-athlete competing in the NCAA, and expresses her appreciation for t...

The 2025 RMAC Women's Wrestling Championship is here! Joining The Sidelines: Episode 25 is Coach Randi Miller of Texas Woman's University. Coach Miller, a true pioneer of women's wrestling, kicked off her career at TWU in 2021. A native of Arlington, Texas, Miller was the first black woman and Texan to win an Olympic medal in women's wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Coach Miller's passion f...

In continuing the RMAC Women's Wrestling Championship preparation, The Sidelines: Episode 24 sits down with Ana Rojas, junior wrestler for Chadron State. Ana's journey to Chadron included many twists and turns, being born in Cuba and raised in Nevada and Texas. She's battled through the ups and downs of her sport, recently experiencing a career-pausing ACL tear back in March. Through her unique jo...

In honor of the 2025 RMAC Women's Wrestling Championship being just two weeks away, The Sidelines: Episode 23 sits down with Jennesis Martinez, a senior wrestler at Colorado Mesa. As a four-time NCWWC All-American wrestler and four-time All-American Scholar, Jennesis has become a leader in Maverick Athletics, both on and off the mat. Tune in as Jennesis shares the struggles of competing in a male-...

The Sidelines: Episode 22 catches up with Jack Faczak, redshirt sophomore wrestler for Adams State. In an effort to expand leadership opportunities this year, the RMAC's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) approved the separation of its National SAAC Representative role, with a new RMAC SAAC Chair position. Jack was elected by his peers in October as the RMAC SAAC Chair for the next two-year...

Heading into 2025, The Sidelines: Episode 21 celebrates the fantastic work of RMAC office members Maya McEwen, Graduate Assistant for Championships and Operations, and Nash Loibl, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications. Tune in to hear about their journeys to becoming part of the conference office, their experience managing a full academic and professional workload, and their career goals...

As the 2024 fall seasons come to a close and the RMAC transitions to winter and spring competition, The Sidelines: Episode 20 would like to recognize the league's incredible administrators who serve as the backbone to each of our successful seasons. Episode 20 features Tommy Gilhooly, Director of Athletics at Regis University, as he shares his background as a former student-athlete, entrepreneur,...

After an excellent 2024 RMAC season that saw the Cougars make their first ever RMAC Volleyball Tournament Final, CCU is headed to Regionals for the second time in program history as the No. 8 seed. The Sidelines: Episode 19 sits down with CCU's head volleyball coach, Bobby Blanken, as his team prepares for their first round match in San Angelo, Texas.

The Sidelines: Episode 18 features Jenny Glenn, head coach for the RMAC's #1 volleyball squad, MSU Denver. Coach Glenn has taken one of the most successful volleyball programs in Division II history to unprecedented heights during her eight years as the Roadrunner head coach. As a four-time RMAC Coach of the Year, Jenny shares her path to coaching volleyball, along with a few keys to building a su...

To continue the RMAC's pre-championship volleyball coverage, The Sidelines: Episode 17 features Kiley Metzger, a graduate student for South Dakota Mines volleyball. A native of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Kiley has created a legacy for herself in South Dakota, serving as Vice President of her campus SAAC and earning her place in the South Dakota Mines Leadership Hall of Fame. Kiley has made a clear impact...

The 2024 RMAC Volleyball Tournament is just one week out! To celebrate, The Sidelines: Episode 16 catches up with Bella Adams, junior middle blocker for Chadron State. Tune in to hear how Bella balances student-athlete life, on top of working a part-time job, and learn about her inspiring piece of advice to younger athletes.

The 2024 RMAC Men's Soccer Tournament is here! #3 Fort Lewis, led by senior forward, Gabriel Legendre, is set to host #6 MSU Denver in Durango, Colorado on Sunday, November 10. The Sidelines: Episode 15 features Gabriel's soccer journey, as he enters his final RMAC tournament for the Skyhawks. Tune in to help the RMAC celebrate Gabriel's incredible collegiate career, and kick off a highly anticipa...

This week's episode marks one week out from the first round of the RMAC Women's Soccer Tournament. To celebrate, The Sidelines: Episode 14 highlights Karly Morkunas, junior defender from Western Colorado. Karly shares some of her initial struggles as an out-of-state student-athlete, and explains her path to overcoming these challenges and growing as a leader in mental health advocacy.

In celebration of the 2024 RMAC Cross Country Championship this Saturday, October 26, The Sidelines: Episode 13 features Maggie McCleskey, a junior runner for Adams State University. In Episode 13, Maggie provides her perspective as a student-athlete in one of the most successful cross country programs in the country, and shares her personal and team goals moving into this weekend, and beyond.

Entering week 8 of the RMAC football season, The Sidelines highlights its third matchup mashup episode with No. 8 Western Colorado and No. 10 Colorado School of Mines. Tune in to hear from the Mountaineer squad of quarterback Drew Nash, defensive back, Bryce Lucas and Coach Jas Bains, along with the Oredigger pair of wide receiver, Max McLeod and linebacker, Adrian Moreno.

RMAC Championship Soccer is just three weeks out, and to celebrate, The Sidelines: Episode 11 features Head Women's Soccer Coach, J.B. Belzer, of UCCS. Tune in to hear about Coach Belzer's coaching experience in the RMAC, his passion for traveling, and his drive to positively shape the lives of his student-athletes.

The Sidelines: Episode 10 features Yahir Chairez-Salazar, junior wrestler at Colorado School of Mines. After experiencing a life-altering accident, Yahir shares his unique perspective on not only athletics and his future career as an electrical engineer, but on living life with purpose and passion. Tune in to hear how Yahir will continue to proudly represent his family and Hispanic heritage on the...

The Sidelines: Episode 9 celebrates a very important holiday, World Mental Health Day, with Dr. Jess Kirby of UCCS. Dr. Kirby is an Assistant Health Science Professor and Health Promotions graduate program coordinator at UCCS, as well as the program advisor for Mountain Lion Strong. Tune in to learn about Mountain Lion Strong's success in the student-athlete wellness landscape, and to gain a few t...

To celebrate the oldest NCAA Division II football rivalry, The Black Hills Brawl, The Sidelines: Episode 8 features Henry Dryden, Hunter Newsom and Coach Charlie Flohr of South Dakota School of Mines, along with Aaron Thiele, Cameron Reiman and Coach Josh Breske from Black Hills State. Celebrate the 129th Black Hills Brawl with The Sidelines!

The Sidelines: Episode 7 marks one month out from the 2024 RMAC Cross Country Championships. This week's episode features Jonathan and Jordan Duran of MSU Denver Cross Country. Tune in to hear about the Duran Twins' unique college experience, highlighted by their journey to the Paralympic Games this past summer.

In honor of RMAC football conference play kicking off this weekend, The Sidelines: Episode 6 prepares for a highly anticipated Week 3 matchup between the Thunderwolves and Mavericks this Saturday, September 21. Tune in for the RMAC podcast's first joint-episode, featuring a few key players in this weekend's contest: Philip Vigil - Head Coach, CSUP Reggie Retzlaff - Wide Receiver, CSUP Dani...

The Sidelines: Episode 5 features Chadron State's head football coach, Jay Long, as well as the Eagle's senior linebacker, Xavier Harrel, and junior wide receiver, Tommy Thomas. Join The Sidelines in learning about Coach Long's rural background and life off the football field, Xavier's path to med school, and Tommy's coaching aspirations.

The Sidelines: Episode 4 highlights Adams State head football coach, Jarrell Harrison, along with two of his senior athletes, Alex Reid and Christian Toeleiu. Tune in to hear Coach Harrison's thoughts on being a Division II coach, as well as Alex and Christian's excitement for their season and life after the game.

The Sidelines: Episode 3 highlights New Mexico Highlands University head football coach, Kurt Taufa'asau, and senior defensive lineman, Ioane Foliaki. Tune in as we chat about Coach Taufa'asau's transition to the RMAC as a new head coach, and hear about Ioane's unique major and hobbies outside of football.

The Sidelines: Episode 2 features Johnny Cox, head football coach for Fort Lewis College. Tune in to hear about Coach Cox's interests outside of football, his excitement for the 2024 season, and his appreciation for his FLC student-athletes.