Explore every episode of the podcast Beyond The Finish Line

Welcome back to The Beyond The Finish Line Show — the place where the course meets the conversation. I’m your host, Brayden Domont, and today… we’re doing something special. The stakes? Huge. The tension? Real. The race? Just days away. This Saturday, two of the top cross country runners in the state — Bentlee Lawrenz and Lucas Pfoutz — will line up at the starting line with one goal: a state championship. But before the gun goes off, they’re both here — together — for an exclusive, unfiltered conversation. No coaches. No teammates. Just two rivals, face-to-face… with everything on the line. We’re talking training. Race strategy. Mental toughness. And yes — how they see each other heading into what could be the most important 2 Mile of their middle school careers. Whether you're a runner, a coach, or just here for the drama — buckle up. This is Lawrenz vs. Pfoutz: The Showdown at State. Let’s get into it.

Today, join us as we break down the IESA Middle School Girls season so far — highlighting standout performances, surprises from the sectional meets this past weekend, and what to watch for at next week’s State Championship. We’ll also take our picks for who we think will win the individual races and team titles. It’s been a big year for Illinois Girls Distance Running, with some athletes even eyeing the sub‑11‑minute barrier… Stay tuned for all the action at this weekend’s state championship!

Today, join along as we break down the IESA Middle School season so far and what we can learn from the sectional meets this weekend and what to expect for the State Championship next week. A big year for Illinois Distance Running with even some running claiming they can break the 10-minute barrier... Stay Tuned for this weekends state championship.

Hey everyone, welcome back to Beyond The Finish Line. I'm your host, Brayden Domont, and today’s episode is one you’re definitely going to want to lean in for—especially if you’re an athlete, a coach, or just someone who’s obsessed with unlocking human performance. Joining me today is someone who’s been flipping the script on traditional training philosophies—Coach Tony Holler. He’s the creator of the “Feed the Cats” sprint-based training system, a speaker, a thought leader, and a coach who’s not afraid to challenge the status quo when it comes to how we develop speed, performance, and recovery. We dig into everything from why less can actually be more when it comes to training, to how mindset, measurement, and recovery are changing the game—not just in track and field, but across all sports. So whether you're on the track, in the weight room, or simply trying to push past your limits in any arena—this conversation is for you. Let’s get into it.

Welcome back to Beyond the Finish Line, powered by the Illinois Running News Podcast Network. I’m your host, Brayden Domont, and today we’ve got a fascinating conversation for all you track & field die‑hards, media nerds, and anyone curious about what it takes to cover the sport from the inside. My guest today is Andrew Brown — the guy behind social media for MileSplit, FloTrack, MileSplit Carolinas, and some of the nation’s top track & field meets. He’s been in the trenches, running media operations, building digital platforms, and telling stories about the people who put it all on the line. We dig deep into how he got his start doing media coverage while at Furman, and what it was like being thrust into the moment when he got to be on the track just as Grant Fisher shattered the indoor 5,000m world record. We talk about the pressure, the logistics, the split‑second decisions, and so much more behind the scenes of covering a world‑record performance. So whether you’re an athlete, coach, meet promoter, or just someone curious about how digital media and live meets intertwine — this one’s for you. Let’s get into it.

Today on the show, I’m joined by one of the most electrifying young distance runners in the country — Ruel Newberry. As just a freshman at Denton Guyer High School in Texas, Ruel dropped jaw-dropping times with an 8:57 in the 3200 and a 14:24 5K in cross country — performances that would be elite at any level, let alone for a first-year high school athlete. In this episode, we dive into Ruel’s mindset, his training approach, how he handles pressure, and what’s driving him as he continues to break barriers. Whether you're deep in the running world or just love stories of young talent doing big things, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Coach Chris Quick, the legendary cross country and track & field coach from Palatine High School, to dive into the mindset, philosophy, and stories behind one of Illinois’ most respected coaching careers. From leading his teams to multiple state podium finishes—including a Class 3A state championship in 2011—to developing over 50 collegiate athletes, Coach Quick shares what it takes to build not just fast runners, but strong, resilient individuals. We talk about: His coaching journey and the evolution of Palatine's running culture The power of consistency, community, and high standards Lessons learned from both victory and defeat The creation of the Distance Night in Palatine and the Palatine Pack TFCC Club What young coaches and athletes need to hear today Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just someone who loves a good story about leadership and impact—you’ll find inspiration in Coach Quick’s words.

Welcome back to another episode of Beyond the Finish Line, where we go deeper than the stopwatch and explore the stories that truly define our athletes. I’m your host, Brayden Domont, and today’s guest is someone whose heart and hustle have already left a mark far beyond the track. Joining us is Desmond Marino — a rising star in the world of track and field and the reigning Middle School Nike Outdoor Nationals Mile Champion. But Desmond’s story is about so much more than just medals and mile times. He runs with a purpose — dedicating every stride to his late grandfather, and drawing strength from his family and friends along the way. Desmond has faced real adversity, and yet, through grit, resilience, and an unwavering sense of purpose, he’s turned pain into power and dreams into reality. Today, we’ll hear how he’s grown through the struggle, what fuels his fire, and what’s next on the horizon for this young champion. Stick with us — this is one story you don’t want to miss.

What’s up everyone, and welcome back to The Beyond The Finish Line Show — the show where we dive into the world of high school track and cross country, one stride at a time. *I’m your host Brayden Domont, and today’s episode is one I’ve been really looking forward to — especially if you're a runner, coach, or just a fan of the Illinois high school running scene. Joining me today is someone who’s made a serious impact in the community with his rankings, insights, and passion for the sport — Brennan McNamara, the mind behind BmansRankings on Instagram. If you follow high school XC and track in Illinois, chances are you’ve seen his posts — the team and individual rankings, breakout athlete shoutouts, power moves throughout the season. Brennan’s built something that’s become a go-to source for athletes, fans, and even coaches across the state. Today, we’re going to pull back the curtain on how he puts it all together — the process, the challenges, the surprises — plus we’ll get his take on the upcoming season, teams to watch, and some bold predictions. So whether you're grinding out tempo runs or just cooling down, you're gonna want to stick around for this one. Let’s get into it.

Today’s guest is someone you’re going to want to keep your eyes on — Dominic Matthias. He’s a rising star out of Moore High School in Oklahoma, and even though he’s still early in his high school career, his times already speak for themselves. We’re talking 3:56 in the 1500m, a 1:53 in the 800, and some seriously strong performances across multiple distances — both on the track and in cross country. But beyond the stopwatch, Dominic brings a work ethic, focus, and level-headedness that’s rare to see at his age. He’s not just running fast — he’s building something. So today, we’re going to talk about the grind, the growth, and the goals that are shaping his journey. We’ll get into race strategy, pre-race routines, and even some off-the-track stuff to get a fuller picture of the person behind the performances. Whether you’re a fellow runner, a coach, or just someone who loves seeing young athletes chase greatness — this is a conversation for you. So let’s get into it.

In this episode, we sit down with Carson Vittorio—former MileSplit IL contributor, founder of Illinois Running News, and one of the most well-connected voices in the state’s distance running scene. Carson brings a unique perspective from both sides of the sport: as a former athlete and now as a coach, media creator, and program director. We dive into the rapid rise of Illinois high school distance running, how athlete exposure and development are changing, and what’s fueling this new wave of elite performances. He also shares insight into recent NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments affecting high school and collegiate runners, and talks about his decision to leave a national media outlet to build his own independent platform—now nearing 7,000 followers. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just passionate about the future of the sport, this conversation offers a rare look behind the scenes of Illinois running.

Today I sit down with a 3x National Champion from North Carolina, Colby McCollum! She is the most authentic and honest guests that I’ve ever had on as she discusses her training, mindset before big races, and the pressure of trying to live up to the hype of her team. Wherever you are listening to this please give us a follow and now enjoy my uninterrupted conversation with Colby McCullom!

Today I sit down with Freshman Mile National Champion, Sawyer Hutton. This guy is very knowledgeable about training and how to race correctly when it matters most. We dive into his injury during cross country season and how he bounced back from it, his 8:29 3k at Nike Outdoor Nationals, and how he plans to run and race at Woodbridge later this season. I truly think you will learn a lot from his wisdom and knowledge on the sport. Without Further ado, please enjoy my uninterrupted conversation with Sawyer Hutton!

In Today's episode of Road To XC, I sit down with an incoming sophomore from Charlotte, NC. His name is Joshua Palmer and he's the fastest Freshman Miler from the state of North Carolina ever! He is super knowledgeable on this sport and how to deal with pressure and we dive into his love for winning and the sport of running. He is somebody you need to keep an eye on the next couple of years and have him on the map as a serious threat for a national title soon. Without further ado, please enjoy my conversation with Joshua Palmer!

Today I sit down with the 3rd fastest 7th grade miler in the 2025 track season. He has run 4:35 in the mile and he recently went 10:45 in the 2 mile for cross country. We discuss his goals for this upcoming cross-country season, the impact his team has made on him as a runner and as a person, his race strategy, and he breaks down his Hoka Festival of Miles race where he ran 4:35 in the full mile! I think you will genuinely enjoy and learn a lot from this episode, without further ado, please enjoy my uninterrupted conversation with Lucas Pfoutz

In this Episode, I sit down with Lucas Houlihan, an incoming sophomore from Joliet High School who already has heads turning when he runs. This guy is so wise and talks a lot about patience and trusting the process. He's got big plans for this upcoming cross country season and you need to keep your eye on him as one to watch this season. Without further ado, please enjoy my uninterrupted converation with Lucas Houlihan!

This week's guest is Emiliano Vieyra. He is a ranked runner from Illinois who is in 8th grade and is a 2x All State runner. He has been considered an underdog coming into this track season and he was able to give us some good insights on his mentality coming into this season, his training, and how he plans on making a name for himself nationally. Everyone at the Beyond the Finish Line team hopes you enjoy this episode!!

Today on the podcast is Adam Foley. He is a freshman from North Carolina who has run 1:59 in the 800 and 15:28 in the 5,000m. He is a very articulate person who gave us a lot of insight on how to deal with the pressure of big races, how to be grateful for the moments we get in life, and his low mileage approach to training. On behalf of the Beyond The Finish Line Team, we hope you enjoy this Episode!!

Today, Brayden Domont sat down with 3x State Champion and All-American Distance runner, Abram Garcia. Abe and Brayden had an amazing discussion about training, race strategy, and how to handle pressure on and off The Track. We hope you learn a lot from this Episode. Hopefully as much as we did!

Today on the Podcast is Phoenix Viger. This 8th grader has made a name for himself as one of the top Middle school runners in the state of Illinois. We sat down with him and discussed training, race preparation, the state of distance running, and much, much more. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!

On our first episode we were pleased to have Jax Barton as a guest! This kid is only in 8th grade and has been making a name for himself in the State level and as well as Nationally! He had a lot to talk about and we dove deep into the topics of Injury prevention, breaking down his state race, and his future races and plans! I really hope you enjoy this podcast as much as we did!