Episode 329: On the mats, on the pitch, and everywhere else
Episode 329 took two weeks put together as host Brandon LaChance cut his eye and ran into podcast technical difficulties, and work and non-work situations. The show will always go on!! Fantastic guests in Sidney Bakabella, a manager in DreamWave Wrestling and five Mendota representatives. Out of the Valley (5:44): Aaron Rodgers, NHL Stanley Cup and NBA Finals (after Game 4 and Game 2), Courtney Vandersloot, Cubs, White Sox, Ice Cube's Big 3 came to Chicago, Tom Thibodeau fired by Knicks, Detroit Lions, WWE releases, Antonio Brown, "No Kings". Sidney Bakabella (32:03): Former WWF Hall of Fame manager, who currently represents independent wrestler "World Class" Channing Thomas (GREAT chat) Crystal Garcia (44:43): Just graduated Mendota High School after leading the girls soccer team to its first regional championship in 12 years. Nick Myers (56:18): MHS girls and boys soccer coach is proud of his team for breaking records and bringing a new plaque to the trophy case. Naitzy Garcia (1:03:35): After graduating from MHS, she went to Rock Valley Community College and went to two NJCAA National Championship tourneys. She is now headed to Eureka College. Putting in the Work and Paying Respect (1:20:09): Back-to-back segments. PITW congratulates spring high school state champions and accomplishments. We pay respect to George Wendt, Valarie Mahaffey, Ananda Lewis, Brian Wilson, Jonathon Joss, Sly Stone and Sabu. Braiden Freeman (1:56:11): Three-sport MHS athlete (football, basketball, baseball) chats about his high school career and his excitement for his future in baseball at East Central College in Union, Missouri. Brent Montavon (2:12:01): Montavon was named the MHS wrestling coach for the 2025-26 season after being an assistant coach last year. What's Next: Episode 330 will feature representatives from the back-to-back IHSA Class 1A State Champions, the Marquette baseball team (Keaton Davis, Sam Mitre, Todd Hopkins), La Salle-Peru alum Marisa Guisti, L-P sophomore Marion Persich, Amboy graduate Mallory Powers and Hall graduate Ella Sterling.