In Part One of our conversation with Kelly Brennan, we sit down with one of the most accomplished athletes in Baldwin Wallace history — and dig into the story behind the accolades.

Kelly is a 4× All-American, a national runner-up, a 3× OAC Athlete of the Year, and a former school record holder in seven events. But this conversation goes beyond results on paper.

We talk about her time at Baldwin Wallace, the highs that came with success, and the lows that tested her identity, confidence, and love for the sport. Kelly reflects honestly on the ups and downs of her collegiate career, what it took to navigate them, and how those experiences shaped her as both an athlete and a person.

This episode is about growth, resilience, and what it really means to chase excellence over the long haul.

🎧 Part Two coming next week.

Recruiting isn’t just about times and marks. It’s about communication.

In this episode, Coaches Fiorentino and Eby break down what college coaches actually look for when high school athletes reach out. We cover the do’s and don’ts of recruiting communication, what to expect on a call with a college coach, what belongs in an email, and the red and green flags that show up early in the process.

Designed for high school athletes, parents, and coaches, this episode offers clear, honest guidance to help the right athletes find the right fit without added stress or confusion.

Recruiting Communication: A Practical Guide Intro: Why These Episodes Exist Recruiting is confusing because nobody ever explains the rules while the game is being played.

These episodes are built for high school athletes, parents, and coaches. The goal is to remove guesswork, reduce anxiety, and help good fits find each other faster. Recruiting works best when expectations are clear and communication is real.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Communicating in Recruiting DO: - Be proactive, not perfect - Be brief and specific - Respond in a timely manner - Use your own voice

DON’T: - Ghost coaches - Overinflate achievements - Let parents be the primary communicator - Assume interest without confirmation

What to Expect on a Call from a College Coach A recruiting call is a two-way evaluation. Expect questions about your interest in the school, training background, academics, and how you handle adversity. Coaches listen for communication skills, preparation, and coachability.

What to Include in an Email to a College Coach Include: - Name, grad year, high school, and event group - Why you are reaching out - Current performance metrics and academics - Level of interest - A clear next step

What Coaches Notice Immediately Coaches notice responsiveness, tone, maturity, and clarity of interest before talent. Behavior often determines how long opportunities remain open.

Red and Green Flags in Communication Red Flags: - Late or no replies - Parents communicating for the athlete - Vague interest with strong demands

Green Flags: - Timely responses - Ownership of the process - Asking thoughtful questions - Following through

In this episode, we discussed why consistency is key