Hilltop Sports Report: 13 Moments from 13 Episodes (Part Two)

Focusing on highlights from the podcast’s last six episodes

Picking up right where Part One left off, here are some highlights from the last six episodes of the Hilltop Sports Report podcast. These stretch of episodes began with Cornell’s Sports Information Director Kerry Kahl and ended with women’s soccer captain Elissafe Moreno. Hope you enjoy reliving these moments, and as always – tune in to the podcast!

Part Two: Episodes 8-13

Episode 8: Cornell Rams Sports Information (Guest: Kerry Kahl)

Release Date: April 26, 2023

Synopsis:

Kerry Kahl is the do-everything man in Cornell Rams athletic administration, working with the college over the past sixteen years. Kahl and Cornell Rams game days are synonymous with each other, neither one is generally without the other. He has served as the Sports Information Director at Cornell since 2007. Attempting to describe every single thing that Kahl does would be a fool’s errand: the list goes on and on. Put simply: there would be no game days on the Hilltop without Kerry Kahl, he is critically important to our operations.

Highlight:

While working at Cornell’s athletic events is Kerry Kahl’s pastime, he does not lose perspective on the importance of his life outside of work. Kahl has two teenage children who are active in sports, and he prioritizes spending time with them in their youth. 

“Family has always been the number one priority for me,” Kahl stated. “I thank the administration, Jeff Meeker, the coaches, the student workers, everybody involved when I can’t be at Cornell events. There are multiple conflicts throughout the year where my children are competing, and I’m their coach. So that’s a juggling act that we somehow always make work.”

Kahl’s voice caught several times during this section of the episode, displaying his emotion. This was a powerful moment, showcasing just how much Kerry loves his children and values his role in their childhood.

Episode 9: Cornell Rams Administration and Volleyball (Guest: Jeff Meeker)

Release Date: May 10, 2023

Synopsis:

There isn’t room in this Hilltop Sports Report episode breakdown to list all of Jeff Meeker’s positive achievements. (Our article detailing his success would be a better place for that.) Meeker has been the head coach for Cornell Rams volleyball for the past twenty-two seasons, garnering the most victories of any coach in the college’s history. Not just in Cornell volleyball, but in any sport in Cornell history. Additionally, Jeff Meeker has been full-time Director of Athletics for Cornell College since January 2023. Put simply, Meeker is a legendary figure and a delight to have on the podcast.

Highlight:

Among the incredible successes of Cornell Rams volleyball under Meeker, ten consecutive regular season conference championships are at the forefront. Meeker’s perspective on the program’s achievements was an honest and proud one. 

“Great players, a little bit of luck, and a lot of hard work,” Meeker described. “In terms of consecutive championships, we don’t ever view it that way. We’re not trying to win our tenth straight championship. We’re trying to win the championship this year. We’ve needed help with that a couple of times, needed the right other team to beat someone to win it.”

What about the personalities of athletes on his teams?

“We’ve just got great kids,” Meeker continued. “They’re here for the right reasons. They work really hard in the classroom. They’re great teammates, first and foremost, and I would attribute a lot of our success to that, they work hard…and they’re pretty good at volleyball, too.”

Cornell Rams volleyball is currently in a dynastic run, and fans should soak up every moment. This is truly a golden age of the program, all thanks to head coach Jeff Meeker. Similarly, with Meeker at the helm of the athletic department, the Rams are in excellent hands.

Episode 10: Cornell Rams Football (Guest: John Smith)

Release Date: August 30, 2023

Synopsis:

As the first episode of the 2023-24 athletic season, the Hilltop Sports Report dove right into the sport followed closely in the fall by fans: football. The quarterback position for the Rams in 2023 was a bit of a question mark, having played three in the previous season: Denver Wilson, Jordan Modrynski, and John Smith. Both Wilson and Modrynski departed the program prior to the 2023 season, which meant that Smith became the man for the job. Smith offered a great preview of the upcoming season, in addition to sharing his inspiring story about the first-string quarterback role.

Highlight:

John Smith’s freshman season was in 2020, the season which was canceled by COVID-19 precautions. Because of the lack of games, Smith quit the football team. “It felt like I was just counting the days, instead of making the days count,” Smith recalled.

After quitting the team, Smith did a lot of reflecting and found that he missed the game. He spoke with head coach Dan Pifer about potentially returning to the team. Pifer didn’t let him off the hook, informing him that he had to work his way back. Smith spent time as a student manager before returning to the roster. He spent time as a third-string quarterback, then second-string, and was thrust into the starting role when Modrynski and Wilson were injured in 2022.

“I paid my dues by being a manager,” Smith declared. “Every day being around the football team, whether it was a manager or as a player, that feeling of being around the football team was just great. I love this and I’m glad that I came back because walking away was definitely the wrong idea.”

Now, in 2023, the job is Smith’s, and he has started all six games under center.

Episode 11: Cornell Rams Volleyball (Guest: Ilah Perez-Johnson)

Release Date: September 6, 2023

Synopsis:

There’s nothing quite like volleyball season on the Hilltop, the excitement and buzz around campus are rarely matched. Senior Ilah Perez-Johnson has been terrific in each of her four seasons at Cornell, and was projected in the preseason to make a huge jump this season. Perez-Johnson was an AVCA All-American honorable mention in 2022 and currently leads the Rams in many statistical categories in 2023. It was interesting to once again dive into the philosophy of Jeff Meeker, and what exactly sets him apart from the rest. Perez-Johnson attested to this, what Meeker does is truly special.

Highlight:

A huge impactor in Cornell Rams volleyball’s success has been its family-oriented culture. “All of us, we see Coach Meeker as like a Dad,” Perez-Johnon explained. “He actually mentioned in practice last week: you guys all care about each other so much. We’re like sisters. So really, we see this team as one big family.”

When hearing about Coach Meeker and the culture, one can’t help but become a believer. The results speak for themselves, and the off-the-court chemistry is one to anyone strive for.

Episode 12: Cornell Rams Men’s Soccer (Guest: Will Bickel)

Release Date: September 13, 2023

Synopsis:

Continuing the preview of various fall sports at Cornell, Episode 12 featured men’s soccer co-captain Will Bickel. Bickel played as a goalkeeper in his first two seasons on the Hilltop, but the emergence of Dutch goalkeeper Floris Huiskers necessitated a position change. The interview displayed Bickel’s great attitude about the game, and how he accepted the shift in roles without complaint. Bickel is a perfect role model as co-captain on the 2023 squad.

Highlight:

There is a high level of scrutiny that captains must face, and Bickel understands this. “I think the biggest thing about being a captain is just paying attention to the details,” Bickel described. “Everyone is watching what you do regardless of whether or not you want them to. Really just paying attention to the small details, because that’s what’s going to take us to the next level.  It’s those really small things, I think. It’s not always the big picture. That’s the most important, all the small things that add up.”

A great perspective from the captain, one that has resulted in success on the pitch. Bickel and the Rams are off to a 3-1 start in Midwest Conference play, currently sitting in second place.

Episode 13: Cornell Rams Women’s Soccer (Guest: Elissafe Moreno)

Release Date: September 20, 2023

Synopsis:

With the Cornell Rams women’s soccer season underway, the most recent episode of the Hilltop Sports Report featured co-captain Elissafe Moreno. The insight from Moreno was quite valuable, providing a peak into how hard the team has been working this season. While the wins haven’t followed suit, Cornell women’s soccer has a great leadership team with Moreno and Amelia Brown. In other words, the right things are valued and a good support system is in place.

Highlight:

Elissafe Moreno expanded on the role of leadership on the team. “Whether it’s on the field or off the field, we have each other’s back,” Moreno explained. “It is amazing to have that support. Our motto for this season is: I Can, You Can, We Can. So if I can do this, you can do this. If you can do this, we can all do this.”

Not only is this a great mantra to incorporate for on-the-field situations, but it is applicable to life outside of sports. With Elissafe Moreno, the Rams women’s soccer team is set up for overall success, not just during matches.

More Reports from the Hilltop

Episode 14 of the Hilltop Sports Report, featuring cross country, is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, October 18th. Be sure to tune in!

For more about Jeff Meeker, read our article about his incredible success: https://digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu/hilltop-sports-report/2023/10/11/the-success-of-jeff-meeker/ 

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