Dinerpod 35: Ron Stateler-South Vermillion Wrestling Coach

In this episode, Red Velvet sits down with a pillar of the South Vermillion community, Coach Ron Statler. With over 34 years at the helm of the Wildcats' wrestling program, Coach Statler shares a journey that began with "broken English" in Centenary and evolved into a legendary coaching career.

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Old School" Days: From the grueling task of carrying heavy mats up cafeteria stairs to the hilarious realization that high school wrestling didn't involve throwing chairs or jumping off ropes like "Dick the Bruiser."

A History of Tradition: The story of how South Vermillion kept the "Old Gold and Black" colors and the Wildcat mascot through consolidation, maintaining a bridge to the past.

A Family Affair: How wrestling became a Statler family business, with children and grandchildren now coaching alongside "Papa Ron" to build the next generation of athletes.

The Evolution of the Sport: A look at how wrestling has become safer and more technical, including the rise of the newly sanctioned girls’ wrestling program and the success of standout athletes like Rosie Traviola.

Coaching Beyond the Mat: Why Coach Statler prioritizes fun and fundamentals in youth programs and how his "dividend" as a coach is the lifelong respect and love from former athletes.

Tune in for a heartfelt look at leadership, local history, and the true meaning of the "Wildcat Family."

Thank you sponsors:

Wabash Valley Plumbing

RJs Formalwear

Varsity House Outfitters

Ever Haute Co.

#wrestling #wrestlingseason #wrestlingcoach #highschoolwrestling #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod 34: JC Thomas

In this high-energy episode, we sit down with JC Thomas, a South Putnam football coach fresh off a historic state championship run. JC takes us on a journey from his early coaching days to the bright lights of Lucas Oil Stadium, proving that the road to a ring is paved with grit, a few "pew-pews," and a whole lot of weight room sessions.

In this episode, we dive into:

The "Big Shoulder Pad" Era: JC reflects on his playing days at Terre Haute North in the legendary MIC conference, playing with future NFL talent like Steve Weatherford and James Banks.

The Quarterback Evolution: How a 6'3" lefty tight end convinced his old-school coach to finally try the "shotgun" formation.

The ISU Connection: A look back at the glory days of gymnastics and dance classes—where big hits on the field met front handsprings (and the occasional "C" grade) on the mats.

Coaching the Alma Mater and Crossing Town: The emotional shift of trading in Patriot blue for South Vigo red, and the lessons learned as a young coach playing "big brother" to his athletes.

The State Championship Journey: A behind-the-scenes look at the South Putnam miracle, from the nail-biting overtime win against Riverton Park to the 7:00 AM weight room session on the morning of the state finals.

Whether you're a football fanatic or just here for the "Hot Mess Express" stories, JC’s story is a masterclass in local sports history and the power of community support.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Wabash Valley Plumbing

RJs Formalwear

Varsity House Outfitters

Ever Haute Co.

#football #fridaynightlights #footballcoach #highschoolfootball #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod #32 Aubrey Bartkowiak

"I just have a mission. I’m on a mission to win that state title."

In this episode of the Dinerpod, we sit down with a true pioneer of the mat: Aubrey Bartkowiak, the IHSAA Girls Wrestling Heavyweight State Champion from Attica High School.

Aubrey joins us to share her incredible four-year journey—from stepping into a wrestling room for the first time as a freshman (and crying on day one!) to becoming the first four-time state qualifier in her school's history. She opens up about the physical and mental hurdles of the sport, including shedding over 100 pounds to get healthy and finding the "championship mindset" required to reach the top of the podium.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Surreal Feeling of Gold: Aubrey describes the moment she realized she finally reached her goal after placing 2nd, 5th, and 3rd in previous years.

Overcoming the "Target": How she managed the pressure of being a top-ranked athlete and why her senior year felt different.

The State Final Turnaround: A play-by-play of her championship match, where she fought back from a 10-3 deficit in the third period to secure the pin.

Pioneering Girls Wrestling: Her perspective on watching the sport explode in popularity and becoming a role model for the next generation.

What’s Next: Her commitment to wrestle at the D-II level for Point Park University in Pittsburgh and her upcoming schedule at Nationals and Fargo.

Mental Health & Motivation: How the memory of her friend Ray fueled her "mission" this season and the importance of a strong support system.

Aubrey’s Advice to Young Athletes: > "Don't give up. When you feel like giving up, don't do it. You need to push yourself until you absolutely know there’s nothing left in the tank."

Thank you to our sponsors:Wabash Valley Plumbing RJs Formalwear Varsity House Outfitters Ever Haute Co.

#wrestling #statechampion #girlswrestling #highschoolwrestling #dinerpodsports