Andrew Klein, Frederick Keys General Manager

With the start of the Frederick Keys’ second season in the MLB Draft League approaching, the team’s general manager, Andrew Klein, is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Klein chats with host Greg Swatek about the crazy year of 2020 that saw the Keys lose their entire season due to the pandemic as well as their long-time affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles. Klein answers questions about the MLB Draft League and how its been received in Frederick so far, the team’s new ownership group, the stadium situation and the team’s desire to become an MLB affiliate again.

He also talks about how he got his start in the business, scraping gum off the bottom of stadium seats, how he fooled in daughter in a Baby Shark costume, the rejection letter he received and still has from a custodial job and how he managed the long and tedious days as a toll taker.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg to review the high school spring sports playoffs for Frederick County teams, which is full of teams in the state quarterfinals and semifinals for baseball, softball and boys and girls lacrosse.

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Andrea Poffinberger, Linganore Softball Coach

One of the longest-tenured high school coaches in Frederick County, Andrea Poffinberger of the Linganore softball team, is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Poffinberger chats with host Greg Swatek about her two decades at the helm of the Lancers’ softball team. She talks about how she got the job, what she enjoys the most about it, how much longer she might do it and why Linganore always seems to put itself in contention for a state title. Plus, she talks about coaching the Lancers’ volleyball team and the learning curve she endured in her early days of doing that job.

Prior to that, though, FNP sports writers John Cannon and Alexander Dacy drop in to discuss the recent Central Maryland Conference championship games, as well as the upcoming playoffs for baseball softball and lacrosse.

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Brendan Yagesh, Keegan Johnson, Mike Frownfelter, Urbana Baseball

Pitching depth for high school baseball in Frederick County is about as good, if not better, than it has ever been before.

There are nine Division I recruits from five different county schools taking the mound this season, and each have had their moments of dominance.

On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, two of the nine pitchers, Brendan Yagesh and Keegan Johnson of Urbana, as well as their coach, Mike Frownfelter, join host Greg Swatek to talk about this golden era of pitching in the county.

Yagesh and Johnson, both tall, left-handed pitchers, discuss their journeys to this point of their baseball careers and how they keep pushing each other to get better. They explain why they chose the colleges they will pitch for. Yagesh will stay nearby and attend Mount St. Mary’s, while Johnson will maintain a family connection with Ball State in Muncie, Indiana.

Meanwhile, Frownfelter talks about what makes them both special pitchers and when he realized what potential they had.

Plus, News-Post sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss pitching, a team that is flying under the radar with its stud pitchers and the latest power rankings for Frederick County spring sports.

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Brooke Wilson, Linganore girls lacrosse coach

With the Linganore girls lacrosse team having its best season in years, Lancers coach Brooke Wilson is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Wilson chats with host Greg Swatek about the growth of the program in her five seasons on the job and why the team is playing so well this season. She also talks about growing up playing the sport in Frederick County, the expectations she has for her players, working for the Washington Nationals and why giving back to others is so important.

First, though, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to talk about all of the elite pitching in Frederick County this spring.

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Dale Kowatch, Oakdale boys lacrosse coach

With his young team off to a good start this season, Oakdale boys lacrosse coach Dale Kowatch is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Kowatch chats with host Greg Swatek about managing expectations for a team with nine sophomores, including many holding down prominent positions.

He talks about his love of helping other people and how that led him into coaching, racing BMX bikes with his brother and riding motorcycles with his father, why he turned down numerous Division I offers to play at a Division III school in college and his fondest memories from his playing days at Thomas Johnson High School.

Plus, FNP sports writers John Cannon and Alexander Dacy join Greg to discuss power rankings for the various spring sports in Frederick County.

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Oakdale Boys Basketball's Alex Hawkins, Cameron Dorner, Coach Brandon Long

On March 10, Oakdale High School became the first boys basketball team from Frederick County to win a state title in 23 years.

On this episode of The Final Score podcast, hear from coach Brandon Long and two of the star players on the team, seniors Alex Hawkins and Cameron Dorner, as they chat with host Greg Swatek about their run to the title, capped by a wire-to-wire 61-40 victory over Huntingtown in the Class 3A championship game at the University of Maryland's Xfinity Center.

Learn what it meant to end such a lengthy drought for boys basketball teams from the county, how the Bears overcame adversity over the course of the season, how they were able to pull out so many last-second wins in the playoffs and the other players that helped make it all possible.

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Geoff Arnold, Baltimore Orioles Broadcaster

With Opening Day in Major League Baseball upon us, the radio voice of the Baltimore Orioles, Geoff Arnold, is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Entering his third season on the job, Arnold chats with host Greg Swatek about the strangeness of his first two seasons at Major League broadcaster due to the coronavirus pandemic. He shares the moment he felt he belonged as a big-league broadcaster and how he deals with the grind of a 162-game season.

Plus, the guys discuss the MLB lockout, some of the new rule changes, expectations for the Orioles and their top prospects and how the American League East might shake out.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to share his second installment of Frederick County high school baseball power rankings and the story of a wonderful person tragically lost in Urbana’s Kayley Milor.

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Gavin Donahue, Urbana boys lacrosse coach

With his team vying to defend its state title, Urbana High boys lacrosse coach Gavin Donahue is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Donahue chats with host Greg Swatek about his team’s dominant run to the Class 3A championship last season, which capped an unbeaten season and marked the program’s first state championship. He also talks about managing expectations this season with a much different team and new cast of scorers on offense.

Donahue also discusses how he fell in love with the sport and with coaching, growing up on Long Island in New York and why he isn’t always the easiest coach to play for.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy stops in to unveil his initial power rankings for high school baseball in Frederick County.

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Start of spring sports, with FNP sports writers John Cannon and Alexander Dacy

As spring sports get underway across Frederick County, FNP sports writers John Cannon and Alexander Dacy join host Greg Swatek to discuss their initial impressions from the first week of the season and some of the teams to watch in baseball and softball, as well as boys and girls lacrosse. Dacy talks about settling into his new job and his first impressions of the county sports scene.

With Opening Day in Major League Baseball right around the corner, the guys launch into a discussion about their favorite teams, uniforms and their general expectations for the season.

Cara Consuegra, Linganore graduate, UNC-Charlotte Women’s Basketball Coach

With March Madness getting into full swing, Linganore graduate and UNC-Charlotte women’s basketball coach Cara Consuegra is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

The 49ers won the Conference USA Tournament championship to earn their first bid to the NCAA tournament since 2009. They are the 14th seed in the Bridgeport Region and will take on No. 3 seed Indiana on the Hoosiers’ home court at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2.

Consuegra chats with host Greg Swatek about UNC-Charlotte’s run to the Big Dance, how the program has progressed in her 11 seasons on the job and the all-consuming nature of it.

Prior to that, new FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy stops in to talk about his first days on the job and life as a Washington sports fan for the Silver Spring native.

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Mason and Evan Wang, Hood College Men’s Basketball

After leading their team to the NCAA Division III tournament, Mason and Evan Wang are this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

The identical twins chat with host Greg Swatek about the Blazers’ 74-71 victory at Eastern University last Sunday in the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth championship game and how they turned the tide on the Eagles after they lost to them twice during the regular season.

They talk about the celebratory moments after the win and how the team had to cut down the nets back at Hood since Eastern wouldn’t allow them to do it on site. They also talk about their time at Hood, where they will be remembered as two of the best players to play at the school, and their lives as identical twins. In what ways are they different, if at all?

Hood plays Oswego State of New York at 3 p.m. Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It will be the Blazers first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2007. How do they think they will feel when they take the court? What type of game do they expect?

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Emonte Hill, Frederick High Boys Basketball Coach

As the high school basketball playoffs get underway in Frederick County, Frederick High boys basketball coach Emonte Hill is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Hill tells host Greg Swatek what it means to be coaching at his alma matter. He shares his experience playing basketball around Frederick growing up, why he was naturally suited to be a point guard, leaving home to play college basketball and why he always wanted to be a coach one day.

He also chats about establishing a culture of hard work and accountability with his team, and what it will take for the Cadets to make another deep run.

First, though, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops in to share his feelings on this week’s Central Maryland Conference championship games at Hood College and the upcoming playoffs for boys and girls basketball.

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Super Bowl champion, Linganore graduate Rob Havenstein

After becoming the first Frederick County football player to be part of a Super Bowl winning team, L.A. Rams right tackle and Linganore graduate Rob Havenstein is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Still basking in the glow of the Rams’ 23-20 victory on their home field last Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals to claim Super Bowl 56, Havenstein chats with host Greg Swatek about many of the details and experiences that made it possible.

What were his emotions as the game ended? What did he think when he got his hands on the Lombardi Trophy? How did the Rams orchestrate the final, game-winning drive? And did he think he might have cost his team with a late holding call? Havenstein shares these details, as well as what it meant to play the Super Bowl on the Rams’ home field and what his preliminary offseason plans are.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg to discuss Havenstein’s victory in the Super Bowl, other notable big-time achievements for Frederick County athletes and to look ahead to the upcoming playoffs for girls and boys basketball.

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Tim Abercrombie Jr., Linganore High boys basketball coach

In Tim Abercombie Jr.'s first season at the helm of the Linganore boys basketball, the Lancers have been the most consistent team in Frederick County this season and also boast the best record.

On this week's episode of The Final Score podcast, Ambercrombie chats with host Greg Swatek about what has made Linganore so successful this season. He also talks about his own background with county basketball and having a front seat as a young kid to some of the best basketball that has ever been played in the Frederick area by coach Tom Dickman's teams at Thomas Johnson. Abercrombie Jr's father, Tim, served as an assistant to Dickman. So, how did all of that regular access to those great teams shape Abercombie Jr.'s life in terms of basketball?

First, though, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops in to talk about the Frederick County sports landscape with Greg. On Friday, Thomas Johnson is scheduled to name its basketball court after Dickman. What are some of John's fondest memories of covering the TJ teams that Dickman coached? The guys also discuss how the current playoff picture shaking out as the end of the regular season approaches for all of the winter sports.

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Joe Blaser, Urbana girls basketball coach

As the coach of the only undefeated high school basketball team in Frederick County, Urbana girls coach Joe Blaser is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Blaser chats with host Greg Swatek about how he got his start in coaching and what makes this particular Urbana team so talented.

Plus, why was he such an instrumental part of women's basketball practice at Virginia Tech? Is he capable of actually sitting still? Who's the most competitive person in his family? And what sport did he think he initially was going to coach?

Up first, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops by to discuss the latest happenings in Frederick County sports with Greg. How good do they think this Urbana girls team really is? What other teams could be primed to make a run in the playoffs?

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Lasan Scott, Tuscarora Boys Basketball Coach

With his team playing well as it heads into an important stretch of games, Tuscarora boys basketball coach Lasan Scott is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Scott chats with host Greg Swatek about his first season as the head coach of the Titans and why they are playing so well at 8-2 overall. He talks about playing basketball on the New York City playgrounds growing up, his love of the Knicks, managing his time with a large family and how he sort of fell into coaching basketball.

He shares why he wasn't ready for the first job he interviewed for, how the opportunity at Tuscarora came about and why he generally doesn't give referees a hard time during games.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops by for his weekly chat about the Frederick County sports scene with Greg. The two discuss, among other things, last weekend's county indoor track and field championships and why the Urbana girls and Oakdale boys have been so dominant in recent years. They also talk about some of the high school basketball teams that are playing well, including the Middletown girls and the Maryland School for the Deaf boys.

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Ronnie Beard, Oakdale High Boys Track and Field Coach

Oakdale High School boys track and field coach Ronnie Beard is this week's guest on the Final Score podcast.

Beard chats with host Greg Swatek about his evolution from being a standout athlete at Frederick High School, where he won numerous state titles in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, as well as the triple jump, into a head coach, a position he has held at both Tuscarora and Oakdale high schools.

What were his most memorable experiences as an athlete? Who was the fastest guy he ever raced? What was his favorite meet? How did he react when one of his state records was taken down? And what does he miss the most about competing?

Plus, what made him interested in being a coach? And what are his expectations for his team as it begins an important, month-long stretch with the county meet, the conference meet, the regional meet and the state meet.

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Luke Campbell, Frederick County Olympian, Brunswick Graduate

Still basking in the glow of his life-changing opportunity to compete in the Olympic games, Brunswick High School graduate Luke Campbell is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Campbell shares his experience competing in the Tokyo Olympics last August for Germany's track and field team with host Greg Swatek. What were his emotions? How did his friends and family react? How annoying were all of the COVID-19 protocols? And how frustrating was it that fans could not attend? How has his life changed since the experience? And how does he typically feel after he runs his race, the 400-meter hurdles, which is one of the most grueling on the track?

Campbell explains how and why he is able to compete for Germany despite growing up here in Frederick County, and he talks about the meets he is training for now, including the world championships this July in Eugene, Oregon.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops in to chat about the Frederick County sports scene with Greg. The guys talk about the big high school basketball matchups of the last week and the big ones on tap for later this week.

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Matt Semelsberger, Urbana graduate, UFC Fighter

As he trains for an upcoming fight against an undetermined opponent, Urbana graduate Matt Semelsberger of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the first guest of the new year on The Final Score podcast.

Semelsberger chats with host Greg Swatek on how he got into the wild world of cage fighting. So far, he has a 9-3 record in professional fights, including a 3-1 mark as a UFC welterweight. What goes through his mind and what is he feeling as the octagon door shuts, and it is just him, his opponent and a referee inside an eight-sided cage with a battle for physical survival looming?

He candidly shares details of his interesting life story. How did he wind up working on the back of a garbage truck? Plus, what it is like to legally be able to punch someone in the face? And can his mother watch his fights?

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops by to talk with Greg about the winter sports season in Frederick County.

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Rob Havenstein, Linganore grad, LA Rams Right Tackle

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Linganore graduate and Los Angeles Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Now seven seasons into his NFL career, Havenstein chats with host Greg Swatek about his longevity in the league and how he and his life have changed since being drafted in the second round in 2015. They talk about what a typical week is like for Havenstein as the Rams prepare for their next opponent and what he is looking for when he watches film.

Plus, Havenstein discusses dealing with COVID-19, his favorite things about SoFi Stadium, one of the fanciest venues in the NFL, how his job has changed with fans back in the stands and his trip back to Baltimore to play the Ravens in front of family and friends. Is it more special to play in Baltimore, in the shadow of his backyard? Or is it just another business trip?

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