Dubuque Area Sports Podcast

Cascade Women's Wrestling | Coach Josh Lawler | Weighin' In With WormWhat's goin' on guys?!On this episode of Weighin' In With Worm, we're joined by Cascade women's wrestling coach Josh Lawler!Now entering his fourth year leading the program, Josh sits down with Worm to talk about the growth of Cascade women's wrestling, reflect on last season, and look ahead to what this year's team has in store.We get into the athletes, leadership, roster makeup, season expectations, and the schedule, along with what it takes to continue building a successful women's wrestling program in Iowa.Whether you're a wrestling fan, parent, coach, or supporter of girls' wrestling, this is a great conversation about the people and hard work behind the growth of the sport.🎙️ In this episode:Four years of building Cascade women's wrestlingLooking back at last seasonThis year's roster and key leadersNew faces and returning wrestlersTeam expectations and goalsUpcoming schedule and big matchupsThe continued growth of women's wrestling in IowaA big thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show and wrestling!Thank you for subscribing to Weighin' In With Worm

n this episode of Weighin’ In with Worm, Worm Boffeli welcomes the brand-new head coach of the Cascade Cougars, Erik Honda, to the Wormhole Podcast Studios!Erik is no stranger to Cascade wrestling and takes over a program with plenty of talent returning, including two state placers: sophomore Tatum Honda and Bryce Carroll, who is coming off a fifth-place finish at the state tournament.Worm and Erik discuss taking over the program, building a winning culture, goals for the upcoming season, coaching philosophy, and what Cascade fans can expect from the Cougars. The two also talk about their friendship, coaching together at DWC, and their shared passion for wrestling shoes.Plus, Erik steps up to the scale for our On the Scale segment, answering questions about wrestling, coaching, and more!Tune in for a great conversation about Iowa wrestling, leadership, and the excitement surrounding a new chapter for Cascade.

This week on Weighin’ In with Worm, we’re joined by Dubuque Senior Head Coach Jackson Healey and Assistant Coach Matt Connolly to talk Rams wrestling, building a program, and continuing to raise the standard.Last season was arguably Dubuque Senior’s strongest in the 2020s, with three wrestlers qualifying for the Iowa State Tournament and one reaching the blood round. We break down what made last season special, the work happening behind the scenes in the wrestling room, and what it takes to develop wrestlers who are ready to compete at the highest level.We also talk about building a winning culture, the importance of youth wrestling and offseason development, coaching in the Dubuque wrestling community, and what’s ahead for the Rams as they look to build on last year’s success.From lessons learned on the mat to expectations for the upcoming season, this is a conversation about hard work, development, and continuing to move a program forward.🎧 Tune in, share the episode, and support high school wrestling!

Beckman Catholic standout Tate Ries joins the Dubuque Area Sports Podcast to talk about his journey in football and baseball. 🏈⚾️Tate talks about being a ball hawk in the secondary, making game-changing plays on defense, and his role in the Trailblazers’ football program. We also dive into his baseball career, where he brings power to the plate and a strong arm to the outfield.Plus, Tate discusses competing on the state stage, his favorite sports memories, the best performances of his career, teammates whose skills he’d love to add to his own game, and what he hopes the future holds.🏈⚾️ Interceptions, big swings, and big moments — Tate Ries joins the show!📸: Emily Koch Photography

Worm is back at the Stoltz Center at the University of Dubuque to sit down with UD Head Wrestling Coach Jon McGovern as the Spartans get ready for another season.This time around, we’re going beyond the usual coach interview and rapid-fire questions.Worm and Jon look back at last season’s 7-9 overall record, 3-5 mark in the American Rivers Conference, and two national qualifiers, before turning the page to the 2026-27 Spartans.They talk about the incoming freshman class, returning wrestlers ready to take the next step, changes to the schedule, the challenges of competing in the ARC, and what Jon sees in this year’s room.We also talk about Jon’s 25 years leading the UD wrestling program and his recent induction into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.And of course, we finish things off with a different kind of rapid fire — because after four appearances, we’ve already asked Jon just about every normal question we can think of.

State champion Natalie Ruba joins the Dubuque Area Sports Podcast! 🏆🥎🎳The Wahlert Catholic standout takes us inside the Golden Eagles’ state championship run, including her huge performance on the biggest stage and earning Iowa State Softball Tournament Team Captain honors.Natalie also talks about being an impact two-way player, contributing both in the circle and at the plate, and what it was like playing on a loaded Wahlert team alongside stars like Ruth Tauber and Julia Roth. We get into whether she ever felt overlooked despite putting together an outstanding season.Plus, we roll into 🎳 bowling, growing up as a multi-sport athlete, her favorite memories, and what she hopes to accomplish next.🥎 From the circle to the batter’s box to the bowling lanes — Natalie Ruba does a little bit of everything!

WEIGHIN’ IN WITH WORM — PAUL CLEARYWestern Dubuque Head Coach Paul Cleary is BACK on Weighin’ In with Worm — This time around, we switch things up and go beyond the usual wrestling conversation.Worm and Paul break down last season for Western Dubuque, including the big wins, the tough losses, seven state qualifiers, and what the program learned from the year.Then we dive into a HUGE offseason for the Western Dubuque wrestlers.From training with Dennis Hall and Eddie Smith, to kids getting work in at multiple clubs, State Champ Camp, Young Guns/Juergen, Pleasant Valley, and Fargo — Paul talks about why getting his wrestlers into different rooms and different environments has become such an important part of their development.We also take a look at this year’s Western Dubuque squad, the competition inside the room, the guys ready to make a jump, the wrestlers who may not always get the headlines but play a massive role in the team’s success, and what Paul believes this group can become.And because this is Paul’s FIFTH time on the show…⚖️ THE SCALE gets a little different.We get Paul’s thoughts on the funniest guy in the room, the biggest trash talker, the best practice wrestler, the guys who don’t get enough credit, coaching teenagers, wrestling parents, and what Western Dubuque absolutely has to do to have the season they want.We finish with a conversation about what STILL gets Paul Cleary excited about walking into a wrestling room every single day.Another great conversation from the Wormhole Podcast Studio.🎧 LISTEN NOW and make sure you’re following Weighin’ In with Worm wherever you get your podcasts!

Bellevue standout Jack Kirk joins the Dubuque Area Sports Podcast to talk about his journey in football and baseball. 🏈⚾️Jack discusses becoming one of the area’s top returning receivers, making an impact on both sides of the football, and what he enjoys most about competing for the Comets.We also get into his baseball career, including his transition to catcher in high school, why he made the move, and the challenges that came with learning a demanding new position.Plus, Jack talks about growing up around sports, his favorite memories, his best performances, teammates he’s learned from, and what he hopes to accomplish in the future.🏈⚾️ Football, baseball, and plenty of great stories — Jack Kirk joins the show!

Dubuque Hempstead Head Coach Brett Haas is back on Weighin’ In with Worm as the Mustangs get ready to hit the mat for another season.Heading into his fourth year at the helm, Haas and Hempstead are coming off a season that saw four wrestlers reach the state podium, and this year’s team brings back a solid core of experienced wrestlers along with some young talent ready to make their mark.Worm and Brett break down the upcoming season, the wrestlers to keep an eye on, the identity of this year’s Hempstead team, and what it takes to continue building a high school wrestling program.The guys also dive into one of the biggest changes in Iowa wrestling this season — the decision to allow eighth graders to compete at the varsity level. Brett gives his perspective on the rule, the opportunities it creates, the challenges it presents, and what it means for the future of Iowa high school wrestling.And because Brett has been on the show before, Worm puts him in the hot seat with questions about coaching, parents, wrestling advice, pet peeves, program building, and whether wrestler Brett Haas would have actually liked Coach Brett Haas.It’s a wide-ranging conversation about Hempstead wrestling, coaching, development, and the ever-changing landscape of Iowa high school wrestling.

Western Dubuque standout Brady Rissman joins the Dubuque Area Sports Podcast to talk about competing across three sports and stepping into a huge new role for the Bobcats. 🏈⚾🤼Brady talks about taking over at quarterback after watching players like Tanner Anderson and Brett Harris, what he has learned from those who came before him, and what it takes to handle the pressure that comes with leading the offense.We also dive into his success on the baseball field as the reigning Dubuque Area Sports Podcast Baseball Player of the Year, his wrestling background, and what each sport has taught him about toughness, preparation, and competing in big moments.Plus, Brady reflects on playing for Coach Casey Bryant in his final season, his favorite memories, and what he hopes to accomplish next.🏈⚾🤼 Three sports. One competitor. Plenty of big moments still ahead.