WCDO Radio Sports Director Nate Lull catches up with high school athletes, coaches, athletic directors and more in Section III & Section IV in upstate NY
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Listeners of The Nate Lull Podcast that love the show mention:The Nate Lull Podcast is a phenomenal show that brings in excellent guests from the athletic community. Host Nate is known for his great interviewing skills as he always does his homework on his guests, allowing for insightful and engaging conversations. One of the best aspects of this podcast is how Nate gives his guests ample space to recall past moments and experiences, while also posing thought-provoking questions about the future or potential what-if scenarios. The episodes, which typically run around an hour, fly by due to their interesting and smooth nature. Even if you're not familiar with the guests, this podcast is still a great listen.
Nate truly shines when it comes to interviewing local sports athletes and coaches. It's clear that all the people he interviews have deep respect for him, which enhances the quality of their conversations. Furthermore, it would be fantastic to hear from some old school legends from the community and get their perspective on how things have changed over time. The mention of names like Reich brothers, Walker Herman, and Stubby Schalet shows that there’s a desire to delve into the past while celebrating these extraordinary athletes.
Throughout the years, Nate has consistently highlighted local high school athletes and helped them shine through his platform. This aspect resonates particularly with listeners who remember playing against or reading about these athletes in newspapers. It's a unique experience to now hear from them directly as they make a name for themselves in various fields. Nate's involvement in showcasing these talents deserves recognition, as it adds a personal touch to his podcast.
In these times of limited sports activities, Nate deserves special appreciation for taking the time to produce this podcast and entertain high school sports fans in the area. It's noticeable that he genuinely cares about our local sports teams and athletes as he goes above and beyond to ensure they receive recognition not only locally but throughout the state as well. His dedication extends beyond just interviewing; he actively meets and gets to know our athletes, following their journeys even after they move on to play at the collegiate level. The new podcast is a testament to Nate's passion and commitment.
Overall, The Nate Lull Podcast is an outstanding show that showcases Nate's exceptional interviewing skills and his deep knowledge of the local athletic community. His ability to connect with today's athletes is remarkable, making for captivating conversations. Listeners can expect an engaging hour that flies by, whether they are familiar with the guests or not. With its blend of nostalgia and spotlighting current talents, this podcast keeps high school sports fans entertained while also honoring the achievements of our local athletes. Keep up the excellent work, Nate!
Nate talks all about the 70 miler in this episode with longtime local paddler, Dale Persons. Dale is a 2025 inductee into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame. He has 31 finishes in the 70 including a career best 5th place in the Pro Class. Dale reminisces on his favorite race memories and mentions how he first got involved with the sport. He has also been a high school wrestling official for over 25 years and has a real love for being on the mat.
Nate travels to Franklin Central School to chat with FCS sophomore standout, Shannon Kingsbury. Listen in for the latest update on her soccer career and much more. Since the last time she was on the show, Shannon has reached the 100 career goal mark in soccer and hit 1,000 career points in basketball. She discusses the pressures that come with achieving such impressive statistics at a young age.
Nate sits down with Corbin Curley and Bill Roche from the Cullman Summer Series Committee. They are helping to organize the first ever Cullman Derby Days event, which is a Soapbox Derby race in Unadilla this July. They explain how they got this idea and the impact it could have locally. Listen in to learn more about how you can get involved or sign up to race.
Nate catches up with good friend of the show, Ed Curley. With the 63rd Annual General Clinton Canoe Regatta around the corner, the guys dive into paddling talk. Ed discusses his recent experiences with dragon boat paddling too. They also look back on some of Nate's recent ultra running races.
Nate welcomes back his friends from Springbrook for a 2025 recap of their Special Olympics Basketball event at SUNY Oneonta. Nate chats with Jon Philby (adapted PE teacher and co-athletic coordinator) and Rachael Scoones (recreational therapist). They are also joined by Springbrook athlete, JC Sanchez. JC talks about his experiences playing for various Springbrook teams. This episode will give you more information about the services available locally for athletes with developmental disabilities.
Nate takes a trip to Binghamton High School to catch up with basketball standout, Zubayr Griffin, and BHS Coach, Duncan Paddick. The Patriots are fresh off winning the 2025 NYS Class-AA title in front of a sellout crowd at the Binghamton Arena. Zubayr scored over 2,000 points in his varsity career and is headed to D1 Monmouth University to play for King Rice. Duncan and his staff organized a team that made history by winning the school's first basketball state title since 1986.
Nate sits down with Hartwick College Women's Flag Football Coach, Aaron Zurn. This new program will begin play in 2026 and Coach Zurn discusses his vision for the Hawks Flag squad. Aaron is a Sidney grad and was the NYS Class-C Football Player of the Year when SCS won the state title in 2005. He was also the offensive coordinator in 2016 when Sidney made a run to the state final four. The guys take a trip down memory lane while also focusing on what the future holds at Hartwick.
The Nate Lull Podcast presents: Remembering Coach Peter Feltham.This special episode pays tribute to longtime Bainbridge-Guilford Soccer Coach, Peter Feltham. Peter passed away in August of 2023, following a 15-month battle with brain cancer. Nate sits down with several members of the B-G sports community to find out about Pete's lasting impact on them. Special thanks to Adam Bauerle, Israel Lorimer and Robb Munro for taking part in this project.Editing and mixing on this episode by Robert Child. Closing music credit to Fetish Lane.
Nate reconnects with local wrestling coach, Nate Leonard, from the Gorilla Grapplers. The guys collaborate on a high school season wrap-up episode talking about several athletes who made it to the state tournament. Many of these wrestlers train with the Gorillas in the off-season. They also discuss the success of the SUNY Oneonta program this winter.
Nate travels to Ithaca to sit down with Tyler Ferrara from the Cornell Big Red Wrestling team. Tyler is a Chenango Forks grad and is a two-time NYS champion. He talks about his freshman year at CU and how a "grayshirt" season helped him to prepare for Division-I competition. Tyler also offers great recruiting advice and looks back on his highly decorated high school career.
Nate welcomes special guest, Alexia Michitti, to the show. She is a Vestal High School alumna and currently attends SUNY Oneonta. Alexia was born without a right hand, but that has never stopped her from excelling in athletics, specifically soccer. She was named captain of the very first Team USA Amputees Women's World Cup squad in 2024, where she was a goalkeeper. Alexia was awarded the Golden Glove for the tournament, which is given to the best goalie. Hear about her soccer journey, starting her own business, and much more.
Nate visits Sidney High School to sit down with local basketball legend, Jeri Mirabito. Jeri is well known for running the famous Golden Valley Basketball Camp in Sidney from 1985-1998. He was responsible for bringing dozens of NBA and high level college players to his small town camp for the kids to enjoy and learn from. This was a tradition that GV was well known for. Jeri also talks about the time he spent on Lou Carnesecca's coaching staff at St. John's University and winning a national championship at SUNY Potsdam as a player in 1981. Before that, Jeri led his Sidney team to the 1979 NYS Class-B title and was named MVP of the state tournament. Jeri was diagnosed with MS in 1993 but continues to live his life to the fullest today.
Nate takes a road trip to Elmira College to learn about the Section IV connections with the EC Men's Basketball program. Nate interviews Elmira Head Coach, Casey McGraw, and Assistant Coach, Brady Harrington. Casey is related to the McGraw family in Oneonta and Brady is a Whitney Point grad. They discuss their coaching backgrounds, recruiting advice and how they both found a home with the Soaring Eagles.
Nate hits the road to catch up with Gilboa-Conesville alumna, Kara Dumas. She is a 2022 GCCS grad and was a four-sport athlete for the Wildcats. Kara now attends SUNY Cortland and plays for the Women's Golf program. She talks about her unique road to college athletics and how she never gave up on making the Cortland team. Kara captured two Delaware League Golf titles during her high school career. She is also a three-time winner of the Stamford Golf Club Women's Championship.
Nate travels back to Clark Sports Center to sit down with Cooperstown senior, Mia Kaltenbach. She is known for her lockdown defense on the basketball court and her high motor. Mia participated in Rotary Youth Exchange, where she traveled to Germany during her sophomore year. She describes her time abroad and gives advice to others interested in the program.
Nate visits with former Oneonta High School Basketball standout, Albert Odero. He was back in town on a break from his professional basketball career with the Nairobi City Thunder in the Kenyan Premier League. The Thunder won their league championship in 2024 with Albert being named season MVP. He talks about his basketball journey from college, to the Kenya National team, to the pro ranks. A fascinating journey around the globe playing the sport he loves.
Nate connects with Sidney running standout, Carson Strauss. He is a senior who runs cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Carson talks about battling back from several serious injuries during his career at SCS. He also recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout and tells us about his service project for that.
Nate welcomes back Oneonta grad, Teddy McGraw, for his fourth appearance on the show. He is currently a pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization and is training primarily in Arizona and California. Teddy updates us on his arm injury status and talks about how his spiritual journey has changed his life on and off the field. A must listen episode!
Nate travels to Morris to visit The Gatehouse Coffee Shop and Mercantile. He sits down with owners, Chris Riffle and Tim Atticus, for an on-site interview to learn more about this popular new destination. The Gatehouse features coffee, tea, music, art and so much more. Chris and Tim thrive on creating a community meeting place where friends and family can gather and relax.
Nate sits down with Sidney alumna and current Keuka College Field Hockey player, Anna Dewey. She is a junior midfielder for the Wolves and started all 16 games during the 2024 season. Anna talks about how her love for the game has kept her going even during tough times on and off the field.
Nate travels to Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown for an interview with mountain athlete, Bethany (Garretson) Adams. She is a Cherry Valley-Springfield alumna who has become well known for her hiking adventures in the Adirondack Mountains and beyond. Bethany is a 46er and has over 100 FKTs to her name. Nate is joined by special co-host and hiking enthusiast, Rich Turnbull, for this episode.
Nate welcomes back Jeff Mlinar from Empire State Takeover to discuss local girls basketball for the 2024-2025 season. This is Jeff's seventh appearance on the show. Hear about what players you need to be watching this winter. The guys also finish the episode by playing a fun trivia style game.
Nate catches up with local aspiring sports broadcaster, Colby Smith. Colby graduated from Edmeston Central School in 2023 and now attends Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. He talks about his time announcing for the Oneonta Outlaws this past summer and his journey to finding the right fit for his college experience.
Nate sits down in the studio with New York State Senator, Peter Oberacker. He is a Republican who represents the 51st Senate District, which includes portions of Nate's coverage area in Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties. Senator Oberacker is a Schenevus graduate and discusses his road to politics and how athletics helped to shape his professional life today.
Nate welcomes Kaitlyn Jackson to the studio to talk about her career in professional theater. She has traveled the country to practice her craft as an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer and more. Kaitlyn just finished a stint in Utah at Tuacahn Amphitheater where she played the lead role of Elsa in Disney's Frozen, the Broadway Musical. She also looks back at her time on American Idol and sheds light on the reality of pursuing a career in acting and music.
Nate talks all things soccer in this episode with Chad Angellotti. Chad wears many hats on the local soccer scene including being an Assistant Coach for the SUNY Oneonta Women's team. He is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and runs his own company, Flow State Sports. Chad is on the Board for the Oneonta Soccer Club and coordinates the Player Development Academy each summer. Chad's passion for improving mental performance has helped dozens of athletes in our local area.
Nate sits down with the Executive Director of the Oneonta Family Service Association, Patricia Leonard. She has organized a local 5K Mud Run in Oneonta to benefit the FSA. This fun event challenges runners to complete a course with unique obstacles like water, fire and much more! Keep this run in mind each October as you make your weekend plans!
Nate catches up with Oneonta High School grad and current Division-1 pitcher, Ryan Packard. Ryan was a standout three-sport athlete during his time at OHS. He went on to lead Herkimer College to the 2022 NJCAA National Baseball Championship. Ryan then pitched for the University of Dayton before returning home to finish his eligibility at Binghamton University where he is pursuing his master's degree. Hear about Ryan's sports journey and much more.
Nate welcomes two guests from Section II with the father/daughter duo of Patrick and Allison O'Hanlon. Allison just finished her high school basketball career at Duanesburg where she pumped in 2,535 career points and hit 380 career three-pointers. She is now starting her freshman year at Siena College. Her Dad, Patrick, has coached Allison since she was five years old. This episode hits on AAU, recruiting, the success of the Duanesburg program and the O'Hanlon's ties with Section IV.
Nate takes the show on the road to Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. He is joined by special co-host, Rich Turnbull, as they sit down with Coop native, Henry Horvath. Henry is 19 years old and recently completed his quest to climb Mount Everest. Hear about this incredible journey and learn about Henry's passion for adventure. He also tells us about being accepted into Harvard University, where he is in his freshman year this fall.
Nate catches up with the athlete and trainer combo of Joleen Lusk and Graham Wooden. Joleen is a Cherry Valley-Springfield alumna who had an outstanding freshman basketball season at St. John Fisher College. She discusses the big decision to transfer to SUNY Cortland this year. Graham is a former standout high school and college basketball player, who now runs Wooden Health and Performance LLC. Graham has been training Joleen this summer and they talk about the bond they have formed. Joleen also finally shares her story about being attacked by a bear!
Nate welcomes back Sidney grad, Nick Gravel, to the show. Nick just finished up a busy summer playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League and the Valley Summer Baseball League in Virginia. He had a strong return to the mound after successful Tommy John surgery, and talks about what his future might hold after he graduates from Keystone College in Pennsylvania.
Nate sits down with local professional canoe racer, Ryan Zaveral. They discuss his 2nd place finish this July in the prestigious AuSable River Canoe Marathon in Michigan. Ryan also talks about his time in the sport of motocross and what it's like working with his Dad (Bob Zaveral) at ZRE.
Nate visits Maine-Endwell High School to talk with Spartans alumna, Kaety L'Amoreaux. She is currently a sophomore for the Division 1 Fairfield University Women's Basketball team. Kaety enjoyed a breakout freshman campaign with multiple awards and accolades for the Stags. She was a three-sport standout in high school with such highlights as scoring 1,853 career points in basketball and winning a state championship in softball.
Nate gets the opportunity to sit down with Morris Central School Basketball legend, Bryan Gorsira. Bryan is second on the all-time boys scoring list at MCS with 1,174 points. He is well known for his smooth shot while playing under coach Tom Moriarty. The Mustangs won two TVL titles and one Section IV championship during Gorsira's time in the blue and white. One additional note: The New Berlin establishment mentioned at the end of the episode was the Eagle Hotel.
Nate travels to Worcester Central School to sit down with 2024 grad, Hailey Shalor. She is second on the WCS Girls Basketball scoring list, and nailed 249 three-pointers while wearing the green and white. Hailey talks about heading off to play at the University of Mount Saint Vincent next year and looks back on her time as a three-sport athlete for the Wolverines.
Nate welcomes back Bill Bryant and Mike Velardi to the show. Bill is the executive director for Section IV Athletics. Mike has been a local referee for 30 years and is also heavily involved on the Oneonta Board of Officials. Bill and Mike discuss an upcoming recruitment day for referees on August 17th at the DICK'S House of Sport in Johnson City.
Nate travels to Buffalo to interview sports journalist, Sal Capaccio. Sal is the Buffalo Bills beat and sideline reporter for WGR SportsRadio 550 and the Buffalo Bills Radio Network. Sal tells us about his journey in the radio world, shares advice for aspiring media professionals, and of course gives us some Bills talk.
Nate finishes up his trip to Hunter-Tannersville by sitting down with the father/son duo of Chris and Grady Glennon. Chris is a longtime teacher and coach at HTC and is a staple of the Delaware League. His son, Grady, just graduated and is one of the best high school golfers in Section IV and New York State in recent years.
The Nate Lull Podcast presents: Remembering Mike Packard.This special episode pays tribute to local marathon canoe paddler, Mike Packard. Mike passed away unexpectedly in April of 2024. Nate shares his memories of "Packman" and plays four interviews with Mike from the WCDO Radio Canoe Regatta archives.
Nate hits the road to Hunter-Tannersville for the first of two interviews recorded at HTC. In this first session, Nate visits with Hannah Esslie. She is the owner of the Hudson Valley Crusaders. Members of United Women's Soccer, HVC is a professional team with talent from all over the northeast. Hannah is only 20 years old and also plays in college at Buffalo State. Hear how she balances her time and energy as she follows her dreams of building a soccer empire.
Nate welcomes back Bob Mackey to the show. He is the former Superintendent at Unadilla Valley CSD and is now a consultant for various districts throughout the state. Bob has detailed knowledge of school budgets and state funding. He is a passionate high school sports fan and discusses how we can provide the best opportunities for local athletes. He previously came on in 2020 and that episode is still a relevant topic of conversation today.
Nate sits down with local wrestling coach, Nate Leonard, from the Gorilla Grapplers. This club team helps dozens of athletes train in the offseason close to home. Nate is also an assistant coach for the SUNY Oneonta Wrestling team. He talks about several locals that workout with GG and about his experience as a member of the NYS University Police Force at Oneonta.
Nate welcomes three-time Delaware County Amateur Golf Tournament Champion, Matt Moyse, to the show. Local golf is just one part of this episode. The guys touch on topics from Matt's coaching at Charlotte Valley, to what the future of small school sports looks like in our local leagues. A great conversation for any S4 sports fan!
Nate is honored to sit down with longtime local wrestling icon, Carl Koenig. He is currently the President of the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Carl spent his career as a teacher, coach and administrator in the Oxford district. He is a mainstay in high school and college officiating circles at the highest levels. His list of awards and accomplishments makes him one of the most decorated individuals in Section IV.
Nate connects with SUNY Cortland Men's Soccer Coach, Steve Axtell. He has built a powerhouse program that is in contention to make the NCAA Division-III Tournament on a yearly basis. Steve is a native of Franklin and a graduate of Sidney High School. He offers advice on recruiting and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Dragons program.
Nate welcomes WICZ-TV Sports Director, Ian Mills, to the show. His hard work and dedication to local sports has propelled Fox 40 into the spotlight. Ian has invested many hours traveling to the small towns on the fringe of his coverage area, and it hasn't gone unnoticed. This talented young journalist has a bright future ahead.
Nate sits down with SUNY Delhi Men's Soccer Coach, E.J. Reutemann. They discuss the success of the Broncos program since he took over in 2021. His commitment to recruiting locally has provided a great opportunity to players in Nate's coverage area. E.J. also provides recruiting advice and tells us how he first got into coaching.
Nate welcomes back two-time Otsego County Atchinson Cup champion, Todd Carrington, to the show. Todd is the self-proclaimed John Daly of the local golf scene, and his unique approach to the game makes him one of a kind. Todd talks about a variety of golf topics and tells us about a big event he is playing in this May.
Nate connects with Unatego junior, Lizzie Craft. She is a two-sport standout for the Spartans playing basketball and soccer. Lizzie averaged 17.7 PPG this winter and helped UCS to an appearance in the MAC championship game. They discuss her love for basketball and the time she puts in playing on the AAU circuit.
Nate travels back to Norwich High School for the second episode in a three-part series about the NHS Wrestling program. These interviews are focused on the championship teams of the early 1990's. In this edition, Nate chats with grapplers Keith Evans and Tom Stoddard as well as local wrestling expert, Carl Koenig. Look for part three of this series in the summer of 2024.