Talking in Ovals

Dave and Alex welcome Austin Willis on the show and he shares his athletics journey and expert jumps coaching advice.We cover:- Long Jump vs Triple Jump training differences- What makes a great jumper- Tips for jumpers who are struggling- How sprinter-jumpers should balance their training split- Handling pushback from sprints coachesPerfect for high school athletes, jumpers, and track coaches looking to improve.If you want better jumps, smarter training, and real coaching insights, watch now!#Track and field #LongJump #TripleJump #JumpsTraining #SprintTraining #TrackCoach #HighSchoolTrackLike, subscribe, and comment your biggest takeaway! 🏃‍♂️

In this episode, we sit down with standout senior athlete Ace Etienne and his coaches Michaela Read and Evan Kainer from Manasquan High School. Ace opens up about his journey from the spark that ignited his love for sprinting and jumping, to his favorite memories on the track.He also shares a raw and honest look at overcoming a significant injury — the physical rehab, the tougher mental battle, and why a strong support system is everything when returning to competition.Finally, Ace discusses his college decision, offers practical advice for athletes navigating the recruiting process, reveals his planned major, and talks about his athletic and life goals beyond high school.Whether you're a young athlete, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with motivation, real talk, and valuable insights.🎯 Subscribe for more inspiring athlete stories!👍 Like if you enjoyed the episode💬 Drop a comment: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your athletic journey?

In this episode, we sit down with Nicol Traynor Starkes, Associate Head Coach of Cross Country and Track & Field at Rutgers University.Nicol shares her personal athletics journey, from the spark that ignited her passion for running and jumping to her favorite memories across a decorated career as both an athlete and now a top college coach.We dive deep into the rapid rise of the Rutgers distance program: what’s fueling their growing success, how they stay competitive in the tough Big Ten conference, and how recent rule changes have reshaped recruiting and athlete retention.Plus, Nicol gives her honest take on the current state of the sport, new training philosophies, emerging technology, and her thoughts on Grand Slam Track’s attempt to shake up the professional side of track & field.Whether you’re a runner, coach, or fan of college athletics, this episode is packed with insight, passion, and real talk about where the sport is headed.Nicol's X: @ntraynor12Nicol's Instagram: @coachtraynor_rutgersTune in now!

This week on Talking in Ovals, we sit down with Andy Martin — a true New Jersey track and field legend, former Holmdel Park record holder, and one of the most influential figures in endurance sports today.Andy takes us back to the very beginning of his journey, sharing the spark that ignited his passion for running and the unforgettable memories that shaped his career from his early days as a standout athlete through his rise as an all-time NJ great.We dive deep into his current work as an executive in endurance sports, exploring his key roles with USATF and the iconic BOLDERBoulder race. Andy reveals how USATF is evolving to grow the sport of athletics, the history behind his long-standing involvement with one of America’s most legendary 10K events, and what the future holds for track and field at every level.We also tackle the current state of the sport — what’s working, what needs to change, and the critical challenge of recruiting and retaining more officials to keep meets running smoothly across the country.Whether you’re a runner, coach, parent, or simply a fan of the sport, this conversation delivers inspiration, insider perspective, and actionable ideas for the future of athletics.Tune in for a powerful discussion with a man who has lived the sport as both an elite competitor and a key leader helping shape its next chapter.

Dave and Alex welcome Joe Compagni back to the show and we talk about the World Indoor Championships, the current state of collegiate track and more!

Dave and Alex welcome Dr. Bill Evans onto the show and we talk about his running journey, the science of training and the performance boom!

Dave and Alex welcome Brian Prendergast back to the show and we talk about success at Manalapan, building a culture and current events in the sport!

Dave and Alex welcome Dominique Smith to the show and we talk about his running journey, the Lactic Acid Podcast and the state of the sport!

Dave and Alex welcome Jeff Benjamin back to the show and we talk about the passing of the legendary Fred Dwyer, the 2026 World XC Championships and the upcoming Millrose Games!

Dave and Alex welcome Dave Slavinski to the show and we talk about his athletics journey, have a high level running family and his training methods!

Dave and Alex welcome Steve Williams back onto the show as we continue the conversation about his time as a runner, Grand Slam Track filing for bankruptcy and more!

Dave and Alex welcome Zig Ziegler back on the show and we get some updates of Z Athlete Village and WITFL, myths about track and more!

Dave and Alex welcome Chris Tafelski back to the show and we talk about Westfield's XC season, expectations for indoor, the growing influence of the NIL and more!