Luke Freimanis, Thomas Johnson Boys Track and Field

After helping the Thomas Johnson High School boys track and field team win a second consecutive indoor team championship in the Frederick County Public Schools meet, senior Luke Freimanis is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Freimanis chats with host Greg Swatek about his success at the meet, setting a new meet record in the 55-meter hurdles and winning the high jump, and the significance of another team championship.

He also talks about the two track-and-field video games, Sky High and Track Mayhem-Decatholon, he created and are now available to play worldwide on app stores. What inspired the ideas behind them? How long did it take to create them? How challenging was the process? And how did he react when he saw friends and teammates playing the game?

Plus, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to talk about the local sports scene here in Frederick County. Is there more clarity in the Player of the Year race for boys and girls basketball?

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Rick Reeder, Catoctin High Wrestling Coach

With his team battling to win every match that it can, Catoctin High wrestling coach Rick Reeder is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Reeder chats with host Greg Swatek about his small and mighty team. The Cougars can't fill every weight class, which forces them to forfeit four to five matches per dual meet. Yet, in the matches they actually do wrestle, they often win, which keeps them competitive against just about any team.

A graduate of Frederick High School, Reeder also talks about how he got his start into wrestling and coaching, as well as the rise of girls wrestling and what it means for the sport.

He talks about his time spent as a player and head coach with the semi-pro football team, the Frederick Outlaws, and shares how he became the first head coach for the Baltimore Charm in the now defunct Lingerie Football League. Was that job really as great as some people might think?

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg, as they always do, to discuss the Frederick County sports scene. This week's topics include a buzzer beater for the Catoctin High boys basketball team and a big win for the Frederick High girls.

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Joe Polce, Former Walkersville High Football Coach

Less than an week after officially stepping down from his long-time job as Walkersville High School's varsity football coach, Joe Polce is this week's guest on The Final Score poddcast.

Polce chats with host Greg Swatek about the timing and difficulty of his decision. He coached football in Frederick County for 29, including 18 at his alma mater, Walkersville and 14 as the head coach of the Lions.

They talk about some of the most memorable moments during that span, including the 2016 state championship and the 12-man-on-the-field touchdown that cost the previously unbeaten 2017 team against eventual Class 2A champion Damascus.

Polce also addresses his future and the future of the program. How much will his miss the job? How will he fill the time? Does he still have a future in coaching? Who does he think should be Walkersville's next coach?

Prior to that discusion, FNP sports writers John Cannon and Alexander Dacy join Greg to talk about Polce's retirement and some of the memorable moments in his coaching career, as well as Frederick's stunning loss to Urbana in boys basketball last week.

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John Keimig, Middletown Boys Baskeball Coach

With his team off to a hot start this season, Middletown High boys basketball coach John Keimig is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast, the first of 2024.

The Knights are 9-0 after a 40-point road win over Clear Spring earlier this week. They also have road wins over typically formidable county rivals Tuscarora and Walkersville.

Keimig explains to host Greg Swatek why the team is playing so well and what sort of potential it has as the season goes on.

He talks about how his passion for coaching started and has evolved and what it was like for him to take over the boys basketball program at a school he went to and played for.

Keimig also talks about why basketball has always been such an important part of his life and what his life might look like if he wasn't coaching the sport right now.

Prior to that discussion, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to discuss the high school basketball landscape in Frederick County and other winter sports.

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Darryl Whiten, FCC Men's Basketball; Sports Stories of the Year

On the final episode of 2023 for The Final Score podcast, Frederick Community College men's basketball coach Darryl Whiten is the guest.

Whiten tells host Greg Swatek about how his team was able to overcome a slow start to the season. The Cougars started the season with four straight losses and are now 4-5 as they hit their holiday break.

Now in his second season on the job, Whiten talks about how he has benefitted as a coach from his increased familiarity with his players and the day-to-day operations of the program and why its important for the team to be active and engaged with the surrounding community off the court.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to discuss the top sports stories in Frederick County for 2023. What do the guys feel is the Story of the Year for Frederick County sports? And what were some of the other big moments that stood out in their minds?

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Nate Naylor, Frederick High Girls Basketball Coach

With his team off to a hot start this season, Frederick High girls basketball coach Nate Naylor is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Naylor chats with host Greg Swatek about his team this season at Frederick High and his successful track record as coach, which includes stops at South Hagerstown High as the junior varsity and varsity coach and St. James in Hagerstown.

He also talks about why he was hesitant to become a coach and why he was very measured about his approach in coming back to it after leaving the job to start a family.

How does the job suit him in his second season at Frederick High? What sort of potential does this Frederick High girls team have? Naylor answers those questions as well.

Prior to that discussion, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to talk about the high school basketball scene in the county and Christmas traditions and plans.

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State Champion Oakdale Football

In the wake of their 42-35 victory over Linganore in the fist state football final between Frederick County teams, Oakdale's Big Three, senior quarterback Evan Austin, senior defensive end/tight end Dom Nichols and senior receiver/defensive back Hunter Thompson, as well as coach Kurt Stein, are this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

The guys chat with host Greg Swatek about the significance of playing in the first all-county football state final and the pressure they felt to win after falling in the Class 3A championship game the previous season.

How did they manage that pressure all season, both internal and external, given that they were expected to win all of their games and the championship? How did they feel after they won, more joy or relief? And what they will remember the most about the game and the season?

The guys also address their own futures and the future of the Oakdale football program. All three will be playing Division I football in college, Nichols at Michigan, Austin at UNC-Charlotte as a receiver and Thompson at Ohio University. Nichols and Austin will be graduating early and leaving to begin their college lives at the end of December, forgoing their final basketball season at Oakdale in the process. And Stein will be tasked with trying to replace three of the finest football players to ever play in Frederick County next season at Oakdale. How does he look at that challenge?

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Gregto take a swing around the Frederick County sports landscape early in the winter season for high school sports.

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Rob Havenstein, Linganore Grad/LA Rams Right Tackle

As he and the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore, Rob Havenstein, a Linganore graduate and the starting right tackle for the Rams, is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Now a nine-year NFL veteran, Havenstein chats with host Greg Swatek about his longevity in a league in which the average career lasts 3.3 years, with variance by position. How does he prepare differently than when he first came in the league? How is his body holding up? And how much longer does he want to keep playing?

Havenstein also talks about the Rams' struggles over the last two seasons, as they have been riddled by injuries to key players, in contrast to winning the Super Bowl just two years ago, as well as the joys of coming home and playing games with a lot of friends and family present.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to discuss Oakdale's 42-35 victory over Linganore in the first state football final between Frederick County teams last Saturday night in Annapolis. Plus, the guys offer a bit of a winter sports preview.

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Oakdale-Linganore State Final Preview

As they prepare to face off in the first state football final between Frederick County teams, coach Rick Conner and senior wide receiver Matthew Hauptman of Linganore, and coach Kurt Stein and senior center Sean Tetteh of Oakdale are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast.

In separate segments, the players and coaches talk chat with host Greg Swatek about the significance of playing in this historic game, the rivalry between the schools and the history the players already share, which includes a youth football championship game.

Prior to those discussions, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to talk about the two teams, how they view they significance of this game and what they are expecting from it.

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Middletown Girls Flag Football Champions

In light of winning the first championship for varsity girls flag football in Maryland, co-coach Mike Franklin, quarterback Kaylee and center Riley Kennedy of Middletown High School are this week's guests on The FInal Score podcast.

Coach Franklin and the girls chat with host Greg Swatek about the Knights' upset win over Urbana in the inaugural championship game for girls flag football at the Under Armour facility in Baltimore and what it meant to them to be part of this new varsity sport in Frederick County. They talk about how much the team improved over the course of the season and how "Moody Mondays" helped set the tone going into every game. 

They also talked about the steep learning curve everyone faced in a brand-new sport, the uniform-reveal event, getting the chance to meet and interact with some of the Baltimore Ravens and some of the things they'd like to see tweaked or improved heading into the second season next fall.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy shares his feelings on some of the tweaks he'd like to see to make girls flag football even better and the future of the sport going forward across the state. He and Greg also discuss the upcoming state semifinals in traditional football involving Oakdale (Class 3A), Linganore (3A) and Walkersville (2A). Can the Bears and Lancers set up the first state final between Frederick County teams?

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State Cross Country Champions Caroline Gregory and James Partlow

After winning Class 4A state cross titles last Saturday at Hereford High School with some of the fastest times run on the hilly course, Frederick High senior Caroline Gregory and Thomas Johnson senior James Partlow are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast.

First, Gregory and one of her coaches, Sage Norton, chat with host Greg Swatek about the Cadet's second state championship in three years. Gregory passed the reigning 4A champion in the final 300 meters of the race and posted her best time of 18 minutes, 30.71 seconds to claim the championship. Her victory also helped the Frederick girls place second in the 4A team standings. How was she able to pull off the victory? What was her approach to the race? How will she look back on her time as a cross-country runner at Frederick High School? All of that and more is discussed.

Then, Partlow returns to the podcast to talk about capping his dominant season for TJ with his first state title. His winning time was a personal-best 15:39.28, which is more than a two-minute improvement over the times he was running two years ago. How was he able to improve so much? What did it mean to him to finally claim a state title? And how much pressure was he feeling going into the race as a heavy favorite to win it? Those questions and more are answered.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to recap recent Frederick County fall playoff action and help set the scene for this week's state football quarterfinals. How might the seven teams still alive from Frederick County fare?

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Chad Dickman, Hood College Men's Basketball Coach

Leading into this week's tip-off tournament at BB&T Arena, Hood College men's basketball coach Chad Dickman is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Dickman chats with host Greg Swatek and FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy about his team and the upcoming season. He talks about why more players from Frederick County are popping up on the team's roster, as four of the Blazers' 17 players are from the local area, and why it's important to shoot as many 3-pointers as possible during the game.

The coach reflects on his long tenure at Hood, which is about to enter its ninth season as the head coach, after taking over the program from his father, Tom, and how far the team has come during that time. Dickman also talks about what it will take for the Blazers to have a successful season in 2023-24.

Prior to that, Greg and Alexander talk about the local sports scene in Frederick County with multiple teams headed for the state quarterfinals and even the state semifinals in a variety of different sports.

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Antonie White, Mount St. Mary's Women's Basketball Coach

With another season set to begin, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball coach Antoine White is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

The Mountaineers are set to begin their second season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). White chats with host Greg Swatek about what he knows know about the league that he didn't know last year going into their first season. He talks about how his recruiting methods have changed and how recent renovations to the on-campus facilities will benefit the program.

White also talks about the upcoming season, which begins Nov. 9 at Howard University in D.C., and the makeup of his roster, which has a distinctive new look and has turned over quite a bit since they last played in the NCAA tournament after winning the Northeast Conference in 2021.

Prior to that discussion, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to talk about the championship game for the inaugural season of girls flag football in the county and how it unfolded, in addition to the future of the sport going forward. They also run down where things stand for the rest of the fall playoffs regarding Frederick County sports teams and athletes.

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Dan Engelstad, Mount St. Mary's Men's Basketball Coach

As he prepares to enter his sixth season as the men's basketball coach at Mount St. Mary's, Dan Englestad is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Engelstad chats with host Greg Swatek about the upcoming season, which begins Nov. 7 in College Park against Maryland. He talks about expectations for the Mount's second season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and the schedule, which has a decidedly local flavor to it.

He also discusses returning players and new additions to the roster, as well as upgrades Mount St. Mary's has made to its on-campus facilities to help attract recruits.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss the week that was and is still ahead for Frederick County sports as it pertains to the fall sports playoffs. The guys discuss the MPSSAA golf championships, which took place this week in College Park, and look ahead to the final week of the regular season for high school football.

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Nate Marr, St. John's Catholic Prep Football Coach

With his team riding a two-game winning streak and playing some of its best football of the season, St. John's Catholic Prep football coach Nate Marr is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Now in his second season on the job, Marr chats with host Greg Swatek about the challenges of coaching at a small private school in a football-rich area like Frederick County. He talks about how it compares to his previous jobs as a college coach since he has to recruit and the expectations he has for his players once they come into his program.

Marr also talks about the Vikings current season and why they seem to be playing so well at the moment, as well as the record setting performance by his senior running back, Zion Ntemi, in last week's 34-0 win at Annapolis Christian.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to review the week that was in Frederick County sports, as they always do. What happened in Week 7 of the high school football season? What is on tap for Week 8? Who will be playing in this weekend's Central Maryland Conference championship games at Tuscarora and Smithsburg high schools. The guys fill you in on all of that.

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Kelly Ditrick, Walkersville Field Hockey Coach

With Walkersville High having one of its best field hockey seasons ever, Lions coach Kelly Ditrick is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Ditrick chats with host Greg Swatek about the team's signature victory so far over perennial power Liberty, 2-1 on Sept. 22. It's not often that Walkersville beats Liberty, which plays in field-hockey rich Carroll County and has won three state titles in the last seven years. Ditrick discusses the significance of that win and how it propelled her team going forward.

She also talks about how the team has overcome the loss of twin sisters Oliva and Hannah Miller, the Offensive and Defensively Player of the Year, respectively, to gradation and how it shook off a season-opening loss to Francis Scott Key and hasn't loss since.

Ditrick also talks about her own background in the sport, playing for a highly ranked college team at Kent State, and how she got into coaching. She also discusses the challenges of taking over the Walkersville program only a few weeks prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to talk about the latest happenings on fall sports scene in Frederick County, including a look back on Week 6 of the high school football season and a look ahead to Week 7.

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Dom Nichols, Oakdale Football

Arguably the top defensive end in the state and playing on an unbeaten team, Oakdale defensive end Dom Nichols is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Nichols chats with host Greg Swatek about his size (6-foot-6, 250 pounds), how it shaped his sports career growing up and why it's such a conversation piece pretty much everywhere he goes. Does he prefer to play football or basketball? What are his expectations for himself and the Oakdale football team this season? And what is coach Jim Harbaugh like after Nichols was recruited to play next season for one of the top college football teams in the country, the University of Michigan? What was the recruiting process like?

All of those questions are answered during the course of their conversation.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to look back on Week 5 of the high school football season in Frederick County, look ahead to Week 6 and discuss the unusual situation going at Brunswick High School with its head football coach, Jerry Smith.

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Paul Bryan, Walkersville High Girls Soccer Coach

With his team still unbeaten near the midpoint of the season, Walkersville High girls soccer coach Paul Bryan is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Bryan chats with host Greg Swatek about the strengths of his team and if it has legitimate hopes of winning the program's first state championship in Class 2A. 

The two discuss some of Walkersville's great girls soccer teams in recent years, including the team that made the run to the 2A championship game in 2018, and where this season's team ranks by comparison.

Plus, Bryan explains why he doesn't get carried away with expectations or future results.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to look back on Week 4 of the high school football season here in Frederick County, including the big showdown between Oakdale and Linganore, and look ahead to Week 5. 

They also talk about other prominent headlines during the county's fall sports season.

Frank Strakonsky, Frederick High Cross Country Coach

With his girls team in position to challenge for a state title, longtime Frederick High cross country coach Frank Strakonsky is this week' guest on the Final Score podcast.

Strakonsky chats with host Greg Swatek about growing up in Frederick County and how his coaching career, now in its 25th year, got started. They talk about why Strakonsky decided start coaching cross country and the mentors he had to help show him the ropes, such as Jack Griffin and Don Boyer.

Then, they talk about his girls team at Frederick High this season, what makes it so strong and why it is well positioned to challenge for a state title.

Plus, Strakonsky reflects on all of the growth and change in Frederick County that has taken place during his 25 years as a high-school coach, and why it's important for he and his wife to be present for and to support the other sports programs at Frederick High.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to discuss the high school sports scene in the county. They look back on Week 3 of the high school football season and look ahead to Week 4, which includes the big matchup between Oakdale and Linganore.

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Mike O'Brien, Tuscarora girls flag football co-coach

As he helps usher in a new era for Frederick County athletics, Tuscarora High School girls flag football co-coach Mike O'Brien is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

O'Brien chats with host Greg Swatek about his lengthy coaching career in the county, which has included multiple schools and multiple sports and now involves the county's brand new varsity sport, girls flag football.

He talks about why he decided to coach girls flag football and how he and Jess Valentine manage Tuscarora' team as co-head coaches. He discusses the Titans' 25-0 win over Brunswick, where he previously served as the athletic director, in the big kickoff event last week at Frederick High and talks about his expectations and the excitement around the sport going forward.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to discuss the past week that was in Frederick County sports, including their thoughts and impressions on the first week of traditional high school football.

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