Short Time Wrestling Podcast

In 2024, Coleman Scott seemed primed to become the next coach at Oklahoma State. He was about to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame after a stellar career as a four-time All-American, an NCAA champion, and an Olympic bronze medalist.Then things took a quick turn. Instead of being the heir to John Smith’s program in Stillwater, uncertainty was present.A quick reset and a chance to change things up, Coleman and his wife Jessica bought some land and build a wrestling room - and basically a dorm and a kitchen. Now, hundreds of kids pass through th...

The path to a senior world title is entirely black and white. There is no grey area on an elevated mat inside the Prudential Center—only a best-of-three series that ends with one athlete holding a plane ticket to the World Championships and another left behind in the wrestling room. For decades, the senior level was defined by a specific geography: farm boys from the grain elevators of the Midwest or private school hammers out of New England. On June 19, the sport shifts its entire weight to the concrete of the Tri-State area as Final X pairs elite freestyle with th...

Show Notes: Short Time
NCAA Athlete Press Conference with Levi Haines, Jesse Mendez, Yonger Bastida, and Sal Perrine.
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NCAA Division I Press Conference with Ohio State's Tom Ryan, Oklahoma State's David Taylor, Oregon State's Chris Pendleton and Kent State's Josh Moore. 

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Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
 
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It’s another trip to Wichita for the 2026 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championships. Short Time Wrestling Podcast host Jason Bryant serves as one of the tournament announcers and will be looking through the brackets talking about names to watch, returning All-Americans and fielding your questions in the chat.

Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
 
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The NCAA will crown its first women’s wrestling champions March 6–7, 2026 at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, marking a historic step for the sport’s rapid growth at the collegiate level. NCAA Director of Championships and Alliances Ryan Tressel explains how the organization built the championship structure from the ground up—leaning on Division II and III templates, collaborating with coaches and USA Wrestling, and navigating qualification numbers, format decisions, and calendar placement. With more than 100 NCAA institutions sponsoring women’s wrestling and 180 qualifiers approved for the inaugural event, the championship reflects unprecedented expansion since the sport achieved emerging s...

California Baptist wrestling sits at the center of a growing fight over opportunity, access, and the future of Olympic sports. Nolan Kistler, a multiple-time All-American and CBU alumnus, breaks down why the program matters—not just to Southern California wrestlers, but to first-generation college students, faith-based education, and a region with tens of thousands of high school athletes and only one Division I option. From family legacy to community impact, the case for keeping CBU wrestling goes far beyond wins and losses.
 
The conversation also digs into the realities behind program cuts, Title IX misconceptions, and what organized res...

Mark Manning and the University of Nebraska host North Carolina and Oklahoma State this coming weekend. Let’s hear what Coach Manning has to say in the run-up to the dual, the potential future series with the Cowboys, his relationship with UNC head coach Rob Koll as well as the best Christmas present he ever received.
 
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A night after Johnson & Wales met fellow Division III powerhouse Augsburg in a dual meet in Minneapolis, coach Lonnie Morris and his squad was back in action at the Auggie Invitational. 

In this quick eight-minute interview, we'll catch up with Coach Morris to see what things have been like in Providence since JWU won the school's first national title last March. 

Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news

The annual App State wrestling media day came and went on Tuesday, October 27. Featured with this year’s Mountaineer squad is head coach JohnMark Bentley and wrestlers Tomas Brooker, Jerry Price, Kaden Keiser and Stephan Monchery.
 
We’ll chat with each as they look forward to another season of SoCon wrestling with some starters to replace and some new goals to reach.
 
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Filmmaker Tony Melanson joins Jason Bryant to discuss his new documentary Iron Maidens: Wrestling for Glory, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.  The film chronicles the rise of girls’ high-school wrestling in Pennsylvania through the stories of North Allegheny’s Leyna Rumpler and Hickory’s Avry Ryhal, two pioneers whose friendship and rivalry unfolded as the state sanctioned girls’ wrestling for the first time.

RELATED: Kyle Klingman's interview with Leyna and Avry. 
 
Melanson explains how the project began after following Leyna’s journey as a family friend, how he built trust with high-school athletes unaccustomed...

Join host Jason Bryant as he talks with 2024 National Wrestling Media Association Journalist of the Year Kyle Klingman on the latest episode of the Short Time Wrestling Podcast.

On the run-up to the 2025 World Championships, we revisit the early years recording podcasts in Minnesota basements with Wrestling 411, dive into a shared love of historical deep dives and unearth some interesting facts about the most recent lineup release from Iowa State that Kyle shared on Flowrestling last week. 

We dive into women’s wrestling’s college history and some of the key things about it, including Kyle’s podca...

2000 Division III National Champion Nick Slack is one of the good guys in wrestling. A personable friend and coach, Slack was a three-time Division III finalist at Augsburg and won the 2000 NCAA Division III championship.

Setbacks in the finals in 2001 and 2002 didn't define him. He overcame. Just over two years ago, Slack had a brain tumor removed that seemed to resolve his decades-long battle with depression.

Then another brain tumor emerged.

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Some might remember Vinny Barber wrestling in New York for coach Duane Ritter at Oneonta State. Others may remember him as a boisterous figure at Flowrestling. However you may remember the old Vinny Barber, things are a lot different now.

After returning to college, finishing his degree and joining the coaching staff at the University of the Ozarks, Barber found himself leading the Division III Arkansas school. Then a new opportunity arose, a chance to start a brand new program at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia.

Hear how Vinny’s progressed in coaching and growing pr...

Clete Hanson, newly appointed head coach at Simon Fraser University, talks about his return to the program that shaped much of his wrestling and coaching career. A Washington native and former nationally ranked high school wrestler, Hanson chose SFU for its unique blend of high-level international freestyle influence, academic excellence, and its rare status as a Canadian institution competing in the NCAA.

Now, as only the third head coach in program history, he steps into a role once held by coaching legends Mike Jones and Justin Abdou—both of whom played pivotal roles in Hanson’s development.In the...

Division I men’s wrestling only has one current HBCU wrestling program and it’s at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Central Michigan alum and three-time All-American Jarod Trice is on staff with head coach Kenny Monday and Trice talks about the growth of himself as a coach under Monday, the growth of the program and the unique place Morgan State holds in wrestling.

Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com...

Nathaneal Rankin was a nationally ranked wrestler and NCAA Division III qualifier in cross country while an athlete at the University of the Ozarks.

After his competitive career ended, Rankin served as an assistant coach and this summer, was named the new head coach at the Clarksville, Arkansas school.Check out what led Rankin to Ozarks in the first place, what it was like competing in two sports in college and how near misses now drive him as a coach.

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Twenty years ago, Jim Beichner served as the host for the 2005 NWCA Convention in Buffalo, New York. The then-UB head coach helped coordinate the event and oversaw numerous logistical things with the annual NWCA gathering.Following his run as the head coach at Buffalo,

Beichner went to work in the racing world. He’s recently returned to the sport as the Director of Coaching Development for the NWCA. Hear what’s up with the past two-time All-American from Clarion.

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Dylan Wanagiel is no stranger to wrestling events. As the current Vice President of Sports Properties and Special Events for the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Wanagiel is again bringing a major wrestling event to the tri-state area.

Previously, Wanagiel was one of the driving forces into bringing the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships to Madison Square Garden in New York City, the venue Wanagiel worked at prior to moving back across to the New Jersey side.

Final X is also pairing again with the Beat The Streets benefit (btsny.org) as USA Wrestling will...

We’ll get a chance to talk with new Army West Point Head Coach Troy Nickerson on Episode 786 of the Short Time Wrestling Podcast.

First up, host Jason Bryant discusses the Hall of Fame Honors Weekend 2025, highlighting the induction of Terry Davis and the 40th anniversary of "Vision Quest." He recounts his experiences in Stillwater, Oklahoma, including interactions with wrestling legends and the local community.
Troy Nickerson, the new head wrestling coach at Army West Point, is introduced. Nickerson expresses his excitement about returning to New York and building on the program's success. He emphasizes the unique ch...

Jason Bryant looks through the brackets and highlights wrestlers to watch from the 2025 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championships coming up March 6-8 in Park City, Kansas.

Cheat Sheet Brackets: https://www.mattalkonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/highlight-2025NAIA.pdf
 
Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
 
Links to Follow
Join the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discord
Daily Wrestling Newsl...

Jason Bryant hosts the Short Time Wrestling Podcast, featuring Dr. Bill Welker, a longtime wrestling coach, referee, and journalist. They discuss Welker's career, including his early wrestling days in Pennsylvania, his move to West Virginia, and his contributions to the sport. Welker shares insights on wrestling's evolution, particularly regarding dieting and the growth of girls' wrestling. He also talks about his writing, including wrestling novels and a memoir. They touch on the challenges of maintaining sportsmanship and the importance of academic integrity in athletics. Welker remains active in promoting wrestling and supporting young athletes.

Get the Mat Talk...

Ron Lang, author of "Mat Return," discusses his book's focus on the transformative power of wrestling across the United States. He highlights the sport's resurgence, emphasizing its benefits in personal growth and athletic development. Lang, a former football and wrestling coach, shares his passion for wrestling, which he believes is the most transformative sport.

He recounts his journey in starting wrestling programs in Texas and the challenges faced, including convincing football-dominated states like Texas to embrace wrestling. Lang also touches on the importance of showcasing wrestling's strong community in all 50 states and the emotional and inspirational stories within...

For the past 20-something years that I’ve covered the world of college wrestling, one system has always been extremely unique and interesting to me, the California Community College Athletic Association. Now branded as the 3C2A, the organization has sponsored a men’s wrestling collegiate championship since 1959. In 1982, the strangest thing about the league came into being - it became a fall sport. So for over 40 years, the first wrestling to kick off each season isn’t the NWCA All-Star Classic or an open somewhere in Michigan, it’s in September in California.
 
So what and who is actual...

One of the dynamics of small college wrestling is finding mat time for your large rostered teams. At Augsburg University, the Auggies host the Auggie Invitational, which has multiple divisions to help larger programs get mat time and keep their starters and non-starters engaged in their respective programs.
 
On Saturday, November 16, Jason Bryant of Mat Talk Online skipped over to Si Melby Hall on Augsburg’s campus to talk to a handful of coaches from around the region, country and Division II and III. What does each coach like to get out of these trips.

On thi...

Back on May 8, 2009, the Wrestling 411 podcast with Kyle Klingman and Jason Bryant was running through its first (And only) season. A senior from Graham High School in Ohio named David Taylor would win the 2009 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Taylor had signed with Iowa State, but Cael Sanderson had a few week prior left Iowa State to take over at Penn State. At the time, Taylor didn’t yet know where he was publicly going to go, although most assumed he would follow Sanderson to Penn State.
 
This interview is fro...

It’s Men’s Wrestling Media Day at the University of Iowa, so there’s a lot of stuff to take in here. Special thanks to the University of Iowa media relations for sending this along.
 
Timestamps
0:10 - Greetings and Salutations - and some housekeeping
 
Iowa Men’s Wrestling Media Day
3:30 - Head coach Tom Brands
22:00 - Jacori Teemer
24:00 - Nelson Brands
26:00 - Ben Kueter
31:15 - Mikey Caliendo
33:00 - Stephen Buchanan
34:00 - Ryder Block
36:10 - Drake Ayala
37:30 - Gabe Arnold 

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It’s time for the annual KCAC women’s Wrestling Media Day, where the eight teams in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference will give their previews of the upcoming women’s wrestling season as well as hear questions from the media and fans who were watching live via the conference’s Facebook page. Nate Naasz of the NWCA serves as your moderator for media day.


Timestamps
0:10 - Greetings and Salutations - and some housekeeping 

KCAC Media Day
2:30 - Introduction
3:20 - IMA’s Josh Miller
5:00...

It’s time for the annual KCAC Men’s Wrestling Media Day, where the eight teams in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference will give their previews of the upcoming men’s wrestling season as well as hear questions from the media and fans who were watching live via the conference’s Facebook page. Nate Naasz of the NWCA serves as your moderator for media day.
 
Timestamps
0:00 - Housekeeping and news about the Daily Wrestling Newsletter 

KCAC Media Day
8:00 - IMA’s Josh Miller
10:00 - KCAC Commissioner Ed Breidenthal
13:20 - Avila head...

It’s App State wrestling media day and the Mountaineers talk about the upcoming season with head coach JohnMark Bentley and returning NCAA qualifiers Sean Carter, Will Miller and Tomas Brooker.
Coach Bentley (7:00) talks about the schedule and who’s coming to Varsity Gym and touches briefly on the situation at Campbell, as the two schools have become fierce rivals on the wrestling mat.

 Carter discusses his return to the lineup and up at a new weight for his final year of eligibility (26:00).
Miller breaks into some of the things he and his teammates were doing to he...

On Iowa women’s wrestling media day, Iowa women’s wrestling coach Clarissa Chun addressed the upcoming season. The team returns nine All-Americans, including four defending national champions, and welcomes seven freshmen and four transfers.
Chun highlighted the benefits of training in the new state-of-the-art Goschke Center and emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, rather than focusing solely on outcomes. She praised transfer Kennedy Blades for her quick integration into the team and discussed the growth of leadership within the program, particularly from the current juniors who have embraced guiding the newcomers.
Chun also addressed the hunger and comp...

Kramer Whitelaw works as a deckhand with McAllister Towing in the Baltimore Harbor. In March, Merchant Vessel Dali slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse and close marine traffic in one of the busiest ports in the country.

Whitelaw, a former wrestler at George Mason University and McDonogh School in Maryland and a current assistant high school wrestling coach, was part of the clean up crew and talks about the experience from a work perspective, from a perspective of being a former wrestler and as that of a Baltimore native.

 
Whitelaw i...

During Hall of Fame Honors Weekend in Stillwater, Oklahoma, we got a chance to get outside of central Stillwater for a bit and meet up with Dr. Brandon Mason. A four-time NCAA Division I qualifier and 2007 All-American at 174 pounds for Oklahoma State, Mason is now a radiologist at Stillwater Medical Center.
 
Mason was also recently on a tour as the team doctor with USA Wrestling at the All-World qualifier in Istanbul. In this episode of Short Time, we break down Mason’s entry into wrestling coming from western Iowa and the famed Lewis Central High School program, his ear...

DeKalb High School wrestling coach J.D. Oliva has a lot of hobbies and interests. From teaching and coaching to film making and writing, Oliva’s written a number of independent books over the years. His newest takes his passion for professional wrestling (aka sports entertainment) and turns it into a thriller with the backdrop of Japanese pro wrestling and the Yakuza.
 
Check out the book and perks on his kickstarter page here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jdoliva/gaijin-an-international-pro-wrestling-thriller

We dive into our affinity for pro wrestling as a youth, Gable Steveson’s foray into the W...

Walking around taking to guests at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Honors Weekend before the unveiling of the honorees on Friday night in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
 
Guests interviewed were Lisa Little Smith, Hardell Moore, Teague Moore, Tom Keen, Sandy Stevens, Kyle Klingman and Rich Bender.
 
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Longtime USA Wrestling staffer Gary Abbott has probably interviewed more people going into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame than anyone since he started with the National Governing Body in 1988. 

Abbott sits down with Jason Bryant to talk about the specialness of the weekend, what it's like covering this event and the changes in coverage from the USA Wrestling perspective over the years with Honors Weekend. 

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In niche sports journalism, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and storytelling are key to success. On the latest episode of the Short Time Wrestling Podcast, host Jason Bryant catches up with longtime wrestling friend and fellow scribe Maggie Hendricks, who currently covers a number of sports for Olympics.com. The Chicago native has previously covered college and Olympic sports, wrestling, MMA and a bevy of others at outlets like Yahoo, USA Today and Ballys Sports. She was in State College covering the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Initially friends via the message boards, The two talk about their lives crossing...

Jason Bryant is joined by Anthony and Gennaro Bonaventura from the D3 Nation Podcast to talk about the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships coming up March 15-16 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
 
Check out The Guide, Mat Talk Online’s massive Division I Men’s Wrestling Championship Preview Guide with pre-orders now available at WrestlingPreviewGuide.com. Use the Discount Code “podcast” to save $10. You won’t be disappointed.
 
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Checking out what’s coming up at the 2024 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championships this weekend at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.

Host Jason Bryant will look at the draws, point out who to keep an eye on and provide some history of the championships.

Event kicks off Feb. 29 and will be streamed live on Flowrestling. Brackets at Trackwrestling.com
Check out The Guide, Mat Talk Online’s massive Division I Men’s Wrestling Championship Preview Guide with pre-orders now available at WrestlingPreviewGuide.com. Use the Discount Code “podcast” to save $10. You won’t be disappointe...

The new Executive Director of Beat the Streets Bay Area, John Lange, comes on Short Time to talk about his new role with the organization and his return to wrestling. An All-American at Penn State in 1998, Lange has the unique distinction of being the first wrestler in the full wrestleback era to have lost in the first round and come back to take third at the NCAA Division I championships. He spent time as an assistant coach at Hofstra and Eastern Michigan before assuming the role of interim head coach at EMU in 2005-06.

A move to California...