The Stride Report
The Stride Report
The Stride Report
Welcome to The Stride Report! Join Ben Weisel and Garrett Zatlin every Wednesday as they take a deep dive into all of the key distance running action and headlines throughout the NCAA. With in-depth analysis, inside knowledge of major news stories and light-hearted banter, The Stride Report is a "must have" in your podcast rotation. Be sure to rate, review, and most importantly, subscribe!
Can Wake Forest FINALLY Get on the Podium? Plus, How Do We Rank the Oregon Women?
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett continue unveiling TSR’s 2026 NCAA cross country team rankings as the countdown officially moves inside the top-11! The guys break down Wisconsin, Washington State, Arkansas, BYU, Wake Forest and Colorado on the men’s side, debating whether Wake Forest can finally turn its immense talent into an NCAA podium finish. On the women’s side, they analyze Stanford, Colorado, West Virginia, Oregon, Alabama and Notre Dame, with a major focus on how to evaluate an Oregon squad loaded with upside, but also plenty of questions entering the fall. From potential podium challengers to teams with tons of volatility, Ben and Garrett dig into the strengths, concerns and ceilings of some of the best programs in the country as TSR’s preseason rankings approach the top-five. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Sep 2
1 hr 6 min
Why We Are Crazy-High On The Utah Women & Explaining Our Ranking For The Notre Dame Men
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett continue unveiling TSR’s 2026 NCAA cross country team rankings while first reacting to the NCAA being granted a stay that temporarily pauses the July 31st preliminary injunction. The guys then dive back into the rankings, breaking down Florida, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Northern Arizona and Eastern Kentucky on the men’s side while analyzing Wake Forest, Virginia, Florida, Utah, Oklahoma State, and South Carolina for the women. From potential podium dark horses to teams with plenty left to prove, the guys continue working their way toward the nation’s top contenders as the 2026 cross country season approaches. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Aug 26
1 hr 11 min
What Should We Expect From the Stanford Men? Plus, Did We Undervalue the Penn State Women?
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett continue unveiling TSR’s NCAA XC Top-25 Preseason Team Rankings, debating what to expect from a Stanford men’s squad sitting at TSR #21 and whether the Penn State women were undervalued at TSR #22. The guys break down Missouri, California Baptist, Stanford, Harvard, Georgia and Virginia Tech on the men’s side while analyzing North Carolina, Penn State, Washington, Minnesota, Boston College and Missouri for the women. From teams with legitimate upside to programs facing major questions entering the fall, Ben and Garrett discuss each squad’s strengths, concerns and potential to outperform their preseason position. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Aug 18
1 hr 7 min
We Left Out WHO From Our NCAA XC Team Rankings???
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett kick-off TSR’s NCAA D1 XC Top-25 Preseason Team Rankings by revealing which programs “Just Missed” the cut and which programs earned “Honorable Mention” recognition on both the men’s and women’s sides. The guys then dive into the first ranked teams of the countdown, breaking down TSR #25 Washington and TSR #24 Northwestern on the women’s side, along with TSR #25 Tulane and TSR #24 Tennessee for the men. The guys discuss the biggest strengths, potential weaknesses and the postseason ceilings for each team as the countdown to cross country season begins. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Aug 12
55 min
More NCAA Rule Changes! Plus, Texas Lands a Kenyan Phenom
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett react to another wave of NCAA news as a temporary ruling may grant an additional year of eligibility to athletes from the high school Class of 2022. In turn, the guys discuss the potential impact on rosters, recruiting and races over the next year. The guys also break down Dennis Kipkogei’s commitment to Texas, Purity Chepkirui signing with Toledo, and major coaching moves involving Ryan Vanhoy at Arizona State and Trevor Dunbar stepping in as Virginia’s interim head coach following Vin Lananna’s departure. To close out the episode, Ben and Garrett revisit their preseason cross country rankings, highlighting the athletes they fought hardest for, identifying runners most likely to outperform their rankings, discussing the teams that they've become more bullish on throughout the summer, and debating who poses the biggest threat to Jane Hedengren outside of Pamela Kosgei. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Aug 4
58 min
No More Conversions?! Plus, LeBron James is a Sixer
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett react to one of the biggest policy changes in recent NCAA history as Division One officially eliminates altitude and track-size conversions from national qualifying consideration. The guys break down what the new rule means for athletes, coaches and championship qualification, discussing which programs could benefit and which may face new challenges. They also analyze Sean Brosnan taking over USC’s distance program and Brandon Hazouri’s surprising move to stay at Wake Forest after previously accepting a position at Ole Miss. To wrap things up, Ben and Garrett have some fun discussing the blockbuster news of LeBron James becoming a Philadelphia 76er. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Jul 29
58 min
Summer Interns Talk Hardest XC Names to Rank! Featuring Angelina Napoleon & Jonah Billings
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Garrett is joined by TSR summer interns Angelina Napoleon and Jonah Billings for a special episode centered around the upcoming cross country season! Angelina reflects on her breakout collegiate career as well as the upcoming fall campaign before offering some of the toughest Division One men’s XC runners to rank in the preseason. Later, Jonah discusses Western Washington’s outlook for the 2026 Division Two season before helping Garrett tackle some of the most difficult names to place in the Division One women’s XC preseason rankings. It’s a fun mix of athlete insight, preseason debate and behind-the-scenes ranking discussions as cross country season draws closer. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Jul 22
1 hr 18 min
Habtom Samuel Turns PRO! What Does This Mean for New Mexico?
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett react to some of the biggest offseason news yet as Habtom Samuel officially turns pro. The guys discuss what his departure means for New Mexico’s national title hopes and the future of one of the NCAA’s premier distance programs. The guys also break down the finalists for The Bowerman on both the men’s and women’s sides, debating who deserves collegiate track and field’s highest individual honor. They then shift to the transfer portal with Evan Jenkins heading to Oregon before analyzing two major coaching moves: Kara and Ryan Foster leaving Penn State to lead Auburn’s distance program and Ann Dunn taking over as North Carolina’s new women’s distance coach. From pro announcements to coaching changes and transfer news, Ben and Garrett cover it all. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Jul 14
56 min
Arkansas, Louisville & Iowa State Land BIG-Time Transfers!
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett react to another busy week in the transfer portal as several programs land major additions ahead of the cross country season. The guys break down Isca Chelangat’s move to Arkansas, Nickson Kogei transferring to Louisville, and Justine Kipkoech heading to Iowa State. They also analyze Ryan Hagan’s transfer to Virginia Tech and Drew Rogers’ move to New Mexico. They later shift to the coaching carousel, where Adam Smith takes over as the new Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at William & Mary and Leroy Burrell is named the next Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at Texas A&M. From blockbuster transfers to significant coaching hires, Ben and Garrett cover all of the biggest offseason storylines shaping the NCAA landscape. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Jul 8
49 min
The NCAA Just Made a HUGE Rule Change!
On this week’s episode of The Stride Report Podcast, Ben and Garrett break down the NCAA’s major new eligibility rule changes and what they could mean for the future of collegiate track and field. The guys explain the details of the new policies and examine the potential ripple effects across recruiting, roster management, and competitive balance. They also dive into how these changes could impact recruiting services and the broader NCAA landscape before wrapping up with their thoughts on whether these new rules are ultimately a positive step for the sport. Be sure to listen, subscribe and review!
Jul 1
50 min
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