5PM65: Northern Michigan assistant coach Parker Betts

Parker Betts is the assistant coach for what is arguably the United States' most important Greco-Roman program, Northern Michigan University's National Training Site.In his latest appearance on the podcast, Betts discusses the training block for NMU's two Senior World Team members, Max Black and Payton Jacobson, and provides valuable insights on a range of other topics, including how NMU has received a lot more recent attention given the school's recent successes. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

One of the most interesting and authentic voices within the sport of wrestling is featured on Episode 64 as two-time Olympian and five-time US World Team member Ildar Hafizov joins the program. Topics include his decision to move up in weight at this stage of his career, how and why he began running practices for the Army team, what it has been like to move into coaching while still competing, and the motivation behind him venturing out to do clinics for age-group wrestlers as well as their coaches. It is a very extensive discussion, and one that offers plenty of valuable (and entertaining) insights. 

2024 Olympian and recently-named Athlete of the Year Payton Jacobson joins the show for Episode 63 and discusses every big moment from his breakout season. In addition to providing behind-the-match details and what he enjoyed most about his journey to Paris, Jacobson also shares some of the struggles he endured as a young athlete in the spotlight, and what it was like carrying high expectations into the biggest tournament of his life thus far.  SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Patrick Curran of Northern Michigan University's National Training Site is one of the US Greco-Roman program's brightest young prospects. In just over a year-and-a-half since joining NMU, Curran has had the opportunity to train and compete overseas in order to expand his skill-set, which has already translated to several impressive performances on the domestic circuit. Curran is also equally entertaining on and off the mat, and his story is one to which most wrestlers around the country can relate.  SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

NMU Assistant Coach Parker Betts returns to the show to discuss his athletes' performances at the Senior World Team Trials, as well as to look ahead to the U23 World Championships next month, a tournament that will feature three Northern Michigan University wrestlers -- Max Black, Jonathan Gurule, and Olympian Payton Jacobson. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

E60 features the unique pairing of Billy Sullivan and Justus Scott. The Nevadan duo have been friends since their youth wrestling days and have continued to achieve one milestone after another as adults. Sullivan and Scott both made the U20 World Team in 2021, they joined Army WCAP together the next year, and late last month they both won the U23 World Trials, which means they will be on a second World Team together. Sullivan and Scott -- who are also now roommates -- discuss the previous season as they both worked to contend at the Olympic Trials in weight classes outside of their respective comfort zones. An overview of the U23 Trials is explored, as well, and is followed by banter pertaining to numerous topics surrounding the impressive development their careers have undergone since joining the Army. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 59 of the Five Point Move Podcast brings back Northern Michigan University assistant coach Parker Betts, who discusses Payton Jacobson's rise to the 2024 Olympic Team, what the impact of that has been, as well as the performances of several other NMU top athletes including National Team member Max Black. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 58 of the Five Point Move Podcast welcomes back Ellis Coleman, who after a two-year hiatus from competition returned to action this past winter and just two weeks ago won the Olympic Trials. Coleman, 32, now has his sights set on placing in the top-3 at the World Olympic Games Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey. Coleman had appeared on three previous episodes of the program but it has been a while. One thing that has not changed is his forthrightness. As always, the multiple-time World Team member takes a candid approach to a variety of topics, including the implications of the aforementioned World Olympic Qualifier, the impact of his coaches from Illinois, acclimating overseas, and what his plans will look like if his spot at the Paris Olympics is secured. 

Episode 57 welcomes in two of the nation's top Greco-Roman competitors: three-time World Team member/six-time US National Champion Kamal Bey and 2021 U23 World Teamer David Stepanyan. Fresh off of being named Five Point Move's Athlete of the Year for 2023, Bey reflects back on some of the highlights he experienced last season as well as the lessons learned from setbacks that he eventually turned into new goals to achieve. Bey, candid as always, proceeds to dig further into several personal insights pertaining to the sport and also provides his perspective on developing more athletes in the USA.Northern Michigan standout Stepanyan made a lot of noise at the US Nationals last month, where his performance brought with a ticket to the Olympic Trials. Over those two days in Fort Worth, Stepanyan re-asserted himself as a potential force heading into selection for the Paris Games, and so he pulls listeners into what his thought process was during the tournament. There is also the matter of international development. Born to Armenian parents, Stepanyan sheds light on the differences between the American program and how wrestlers come of age overseas. To close out, he shares what his training plan will likely entail as the aforementioned Olympic Trials tournament approaches. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS

Episode 56 of the podcast focuses on two athletes from the best weight class in the sport -- 87 kg. Three-time National Champion "The Alaskan Assassin" Spencer Woods and multi-time National Teamer Rich Carlson join the program to discuss their performances from the recently-wrapped Nationals with looks ahead towards the rest of the Olympic push. The two top-level competitors also share training philosophies and mindset insights that are relatable to both wrestlers as well as fans. PHOTO OF CARLSON: Sam JanickiPHOTO OF WOODS: Tony Rotundo SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | RSS