Join Cj Abell and Josh Philemon for a special edition of Mountain Hawk Talk as we sit down with Lehigh volleyball standouts Jaidyn Garcia and Alysia Fingall! Discover what drives their passion for the game, how team culture shapes their success, and why their love for volleyball is at the heart of everything they do—on and off the court. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with two of the Mountain Hawks' brightest stars!Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 9/26/2025
Mountain Hawk Talk is back with an all new season hosted by senior journalism majors CJ Abell & Jasuah Philemon. On the first episode, hear from senior Same Davis and sophomore Paul Smajlaj as they discuss the team's chemistry and they've built a strong culture heading into this season. Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 9/19/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 19 with Lehigh Rowing's Evan McConnell, Will Snider & Hannah Vogel is out now. They discuss how rowing differs from other sports they've participated in, highlighting the unique mentality required for success. Jenna and the trio explore the most interesting aspects of the sport and share some of the special moments they've experienced during races. Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 5/12/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 18 with Lehigh Softball seniors Lindsey Martin and Maria Urban is out now. They reflect on the memories they've made over four years of playing softball at Lehigh, and how the experience has prepared them for high-pressure situations while helping them grow into the players they are today. Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 5/7/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 17 with Stefania Fedun, Reese Hannon and Bella Scanapicco of Lehigh Women's Golf is out now. The trio discuss how they mentally prepare for tournaments and how the team stays focused on the course. Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 4/29/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 16 with Lehigh Baseball seniors Justin Butler and Andrew Kohl. The pair discusses the importance of teammates and relationships on a team. They talk about memories from their Lehigh athletic career and how baseball has shaped them into who they are today. Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 4/24/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 15 with Lehigh Men's Golf junior Will Caronchi and sophomore Matt Quinn is now available. The pair discusses finding balance during long tournaments (9:09) and learning how to support themselves in moments of silence (9:36). They reflect on how golf is not only a mental game but also a powerful metaphor for life (13:51), emphasizing the importance of facing adversity and doing whatever it takes to get the ball in the hole (14:47). Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 4/10/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 14 with Lehigh Women's Lacrosse Sophomore Molly Snow and Junior Kenna Winters is now available.
Molly and Kenna share their favorite moments from the game and talk about how the relationships they've built enhance their on-field chemistry (17:29). They also reflect on memorable experiences—like double-overtime wins—and how their growing confidence helps them handle any situation (28:55).
Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 4/8/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 13 with Lehigh Men's Lacrosse Senior Kellen Mathias and Junior Peter Theodoropoulos is now available.
The pair talks about the fierceness that comes with the sport (31:29) and the mentality that is involved in the fast-paced game. Kellen discusses his senior year and their team dynamic. He recalls his experience playing John's Hopkins and how vital that game was for Lehigh Lacrosse (16:30). They also touch on the impact Coach Will Scudder has made for the team over the years (29:53).
Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 3/27/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 12 with Lehigh Women's Tennis sophomore Maggie Forkner and senior Hamsa Javagal is now available.
The pair looks back on their recruiting process and what brought them to Lehigh (6:16). They discuss the preparation for matches as a Mountain Hawk and how the work starts during their weekly practices (12:18). Maggie is continuing to find new ways to improve her game, building momentum off of her rookie season and channeling new mindsets. Hamsa is in her final season of Tennis and is working through the mixed emotions of leaving the game. They both discuss how the support of their parents pushes them to success.
Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 3/20/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 11 with Lehigh Men's Tennis seniors Marc Blekhman and Sean Jaeger is now available.
Marc & Sean join the podcast to discuss their journeys to Lehigh, their pre-match rituals and how the energy they bring to doubles play contributes to their success.
Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 3/13/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 10 with Lehigh Women's Basketball senior Remi Sissleman and Junior Lily Fandre is now available.
Liy and Remi join the podcast to discuss their season so far and what it means to be the #1 seed in the Patriot League. They share how the team has found its rhythm, leading to their success.
Remi reflects on her transition to Lehigh, expressing how welcomed she feels and how the team has become like family. Lily talks about her father and the significant role their relationship played in shaping her love for basketball.
Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 3/6/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 9 with Lehigh Track and Field senior Liam Lovering and Junior Abby Klebe is now available.
The pair discusses the importance of healthy competition among teammates while also feeling motivated and encouraged by their teammates' support.
Liam has found success both on and off the track and is involved in other areas of Lehigh Athletics leadership. He tells us how he balances the time to be a leader in his sport and as a student.
Abby has broken many Lehigh records and holds 3 individual Patriot League titles. She informs the listeners on how she continues to set new goals for herself.
Published on 2/27/2025
SUBBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 8 with Lehigh Swimming juniors Caitlin Deitch and Ben Kisker is now available.
Ben and Caitlin reflect on the fond memories they've created with their teammates this year, talk about their training trip to Florida, and discuss preparing for this week's Patriot League Championships (13:10).
They have big plans for this year with setting new goals, changing names on the record board to their own and attaining new standards from the team (19:10).
Ben and Caitlin talk about the influential people that motivated them to get into the pool in the first place and the people that got them to where they are (19:40)
Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 2/18/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 7 with Lehigh Wrestling senior Max Brignola, and sophomore Luke Stanich is now available.
This week, we pick their brains about topics concerning making weight, self-talk, love for the sport & the excitement of wrestling in the Snake Pit.
Max and Luke discuss the importance of family. Max's twin brother has inspired him along his wrestling journey and Luke tells the listeners how the Lehigh Wrestling coaching staff has impacted his development and success.
Wrestling is a very intense sport and there are a lot of aspects to it that most people are unaware of. We take a deep dive into the minds of Max and Luke to bring about an understanding of the types of athletes they are.
Published on 2/14/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 6 with Lehigh Men's Basketball senior Tyler Whitney-Sidney, and first year Hank Alvey is now available.
Tyler and Hank discuss how they started playing basketball (1:20), their journeys to Lehigh (3:45), the team's big win over rival Lafayette (8:57), and more.
Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 2/6/2025
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 5 with Lehigh Football senior Harrison Jenkins and juniors Tyler Ochojski and Nick Garrido is now available.
Nick, Tyler, and Harrison join the podcast to not only discuss the Lehigh-Lafayette Rivalry this Saturday (24:54), but also to discuss the process, and the hard work they have put in to get to where the team is now. They discuss the team's traditions that create brotherhood and promote an environment where each player is accountable for their position and giving their all to winning (20:02).
They talk about why they chose Lehigh, what makes this team special (2:09), protecting "the Nest", "L over U", and what these terms mean to the players and staff (23:24).
The Rivalry is a huge game for Lehigh. The spirit and traditions surrounding the game is extremely prevalent on campus. However, for Harrison, Tyler, and Nick, while LeLaf is an important game, they remain internal. It is another step to FCS Playoffs (25:05).
Mountain Hawk Talk is available on Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 11/21/2024
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 4 with Lehigh Volleyball senior Emily Stewart and Alysia Fingall is now available. This week, Jenna, Emily, and Alysia discuss their season so far and their goals for the team now that they have clinched a spot in the Patriot League Tournament.
Emily reflects on her senior night and celebrates the past four years. Graduating in the spring, she reminisces on the LUVB memories in her last season as a Division I student-athlete and the traditions she and her teammates have created. Alysia shares her goals as a sophomore and takes us along her journey from how she got started as a volleyball player to now. She tells us how the seniors played a huge role in her experience here and she has high hopes for the future of Lehigh Volleyball.
The pair opens up about insecurities and mentality as women in sports and how being an athlete is empowering and makes them stronger. We dive into female athletes that motivate and lift up other women in sport, take a look into volleyball and how it inspires them even after their collegiate play is done.
Published on 11/12/2024
SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Ep. 3 with Lehigh Women's Soccer seniors Hope Flanegin and Faith Dobosiewicz is now available! In this episode, we discuss the importance of family and how the support from teammates and the people in their lives have led them to this point in their athletic career.
We dive into their future plans for after graduation and explore how different positions on the field have taught them valuable lessons for both on and off the soccer field. The ideas of success and failure and how they are important as student-athletes. The pair follows in the footsteps of their older brothers who introduced them to the sport, and they find themselves forging their way through a strong Division I program at Lehigh. Faith discusses the setbacks that have made her the athlete she is today and Hope introduces us to the versatile player that she is, and proves they are valuable asset to Lehigh.
Mountain Hawk Talk is available Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.
Published on 10/30/2024
On the latest episode of Mountain Hawk Talk, junior Sam Davis and first year Aiden Gonzalez from Lehigh Men's Soccer discuss their journeys to Lehigh, how they started playing soccer and their favorites memories from the sport.
They remember the transition to Lehigh University and how they balance life as a student-athlete. We dive into their past athletic experiences and their successes on and off the field. Sam goes into detail about his position on the field as a "field general" and how as a junior, his first career goals were special to him (8:23). Aiden talks about his first collegiate season and how earning two Patriot League honors as a First Year created a new momentum for the rest of the season (10:16). The pair discusses the future of the program and how the foundation has been laid down for the success of the team (12:15).
Sam goes into the details of his injury (19:13) and how this setback has made him become a better athlete in the long run (15:07) while Aiden reflects on finding his confidence and his support system coming to a new environment and exploring a new side of the game (16:27).
Mountain Hawk Talk is available Spotify or by listening or downloading on Lehighsports.com/podcasts.Published on 10/18/2024
Welcome to the first episode of Mountain Hawk Talk with your host Jenna O'Dell, a senior journalism major on the women's rowing team. On this podcast series, we'll be talking with different guests from around Lehigh Athletics to give you insights into their programs and their stories as student-athletes at Lehigh.
On the first episode of Mountain Hawk Talk, junior Zoe Day and senior Guusje Hogendoorn from Lehigh Field Hockey discuss why they wanted to attend Lehigh, their favorites memories from the sport and the impact Lehigh has made on their college experience.
Published on 10/9/2024
On episode 12, host Josh Liddick is joined by Lehigh Wrestling head coach Pat Santoro and senior Jimmy Hoffman, who preview everything you need to know about the upcoming season, kicking off on Saturday against Hofstra. They talk about the excitement to start the season (2:47), the adjustment Pat has made as a coach to get ready for the season (3:24), while Jimmy discusses staying positive and fit while getting ready to compete (4:16) and his training regimen during the long offseason (4:51). Pat talks about the program's large group of both true freshmen and redshirt freshmen (7:36 and goes through the roster weight-by-weight (8:21).
Jimmy talks about getting an at-large berth to a canceled NCAA Championships in the spring (11:40), Pat discusses the leadership of the group with Jordan Kutler graduated (13:14) and his thoughts on how the modified schedule shaped up for this season (15:35). Both talk about the prospects of the Mountain Hawks repeating as EIWA Champions for the fourth year in a row, especially with no Ivy League schools competing (17:06), and Pat gives out some "wrestlers to watch" in 2021 (18:34). As a native of the Hazleton area, Jimmy talks about his nickname Mr. 570 (coined by Lehigh Sports Communications' Jeremy Clausen) (20:08). The two of them discuss goals for the upcoming season (20:41) and talk about no fans at the Snake Pit for this season (22:57). Mountain Hawk Talk is presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health.
Published on 12/30/2020
On episode 11 of the podcast, host Josh Liddick is joined by Lehigh men's basketball legend, NBA superstar and current Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum '13. They talk about the veteran entering his eighth season in the association (3:09), habits and traits he uses today that were developed during his time at Lehigh (4:02), learning the importance of family while in the Orlando bubble over the summer (5:27), working with youth pursuing a career in journalism through "CJ's Press Pass," and his work and goals in battling social injustices and systemic racism (12:20).
Fans "Ask CJ" their questions (16:35), while the Canton, Ohio native discusses the rare success of the Cleveland Browns this season (24:18). CJ gives his thoughts on how the Trail Blazers will perform this year (25:55), his brand new pinot noir wine, McCollum Heritage 91, released in the fall (26:50), how Lehigh's mantra "Learn, Grow, Lead" applies to him (28:57), and why thinks the prospective basketball student athlete should choose Lehigh University in the recruiting process (32:06). Special thanks to Roseann Corsi of the Lehigh Athletics Partnership for arranging this interview. Mountain Hawk Talk is presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health.
Published on 12/28/2020
Host Josh Liddick is joined by Lehigh men's basketball head coach Brett Reed and junior center Nic Lynch on episode 10. They preview the 2020-21 men's basketball season, tipping off against Lafayette Jan. 2 at Stabler Arena. They discuss a variety of topics including the impact of COVID-19 on the court and at practices (3:43), the strong finish to the 2019-20 season (7:22), the six freshman headlining the roster (13:12) and the diversity of the class (15:24).
Lynch discusses his new role as the feature center without James Karnik (20:20) and Coach Reed discusses challenges in replacing Jordan Cohen (21:35), returning talent (27:15) and forwards to watch out for around the Patriot League (29:21). They talk about the schedule (32:06), guard play (37:31), free throw shooting (41:26), Lynch's goals for the year (43:15) and Coach Reed's keys to success for the season (45:55). Finally, the discuss the effect of no crowds at Stabler Arena and on the road (48:26). Mountain Hawk Talk is presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health.
Published on 12/23/2020
