MSHSAA All Access Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Athlete Wellness Beyond the Injuries: Discussion with Sports Medicine Advisory Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Athlete Wellness Beyond Injuries: Athletic Trainers on Mental Health, Identity & Support Teams

On the MSHSAA All-Access Podcast, executive director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad welcomes Sports Medicine Advisory Committee athletic trainers Brent Holtgrewe (Greater St. Louis) and Jason Pyrah (southwest Missouri) to discuss athlete wellness as fall sports begin. They describe how athletic trainers support students through injuries and often become trusted, non-transactional adults who can notice mental health concerns, identity struggles, fear of letting others down, bullying, or issues at home. Holtgrewe emphasizes relationship-building, trend-spotting, and collaboration with counselors, nurses, and administrators to connect athletes to resources, while Pyrah explains communicating appropriately with coaches to protect athletes during recovery. Both note growing awareness and reduced stigma around mental health and sports psychology, and they encourage helping athletes define what “mental recovery” and a personal reset look like.

Myth Ep. 9 - Class and District Assignments Aug 28, 2026

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MSHSAA Myths: How Class & District Assignments Are Determined (2.0 Differential, Enrollment & Geography)

On the MSHSAA All-Access Podcast, Executive Director Dr. Jennifer uekstad continues the MSHSAA Myths series by explaining how class and district assignments are created before the championship factor is applied. Assistant Executive Directors Lou Mazzocco and Doug Fessler describe how the number of classifications varies by sport, driven by registered schools and the 2.0 differential goal that the largest school in a class is no more than twice the smallest (with Class 1 protected by a percentage cap). They outline how enrollment rank-order, ties, and efforts to keep differentials similar across classes shape class cut lines. The episode then explains district assignment using numerical balance (district sizes differ by no more than one) and geographic representation, noting ripple effects from small enrollment shifts, travel realities, and staff review to ensure consistency.

Storytellers Ep. 1 - High School Girls Golfer Rylee Allred Aug 25, 2026

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MSHSAA All Access Storyteller Series: Rylee Allred Chases History in Missouri Girls Golf

In this MSHSAA All-Access podcast episode, Andrew Kaufman launches a new storyteller series by interviewing Ash Grove senior golfer Rylee Allred and her coach, Grant Williamson. Allred shares how she started golf at age nine, her competitive drive, and how she’s helped grow the girls golf roster at Ash Grove from one player to two. The conversation highlights her accomplishments, including shooting three-under, a handicap of three, and winning three Missouri state championships—putting her in position to become the first four-time state champion as the Class 1 Girls Golf Championship heads to Paradise Point in Smithville. Williamson discusses her focus, resilience, humility, and what has made her run so rare, while Allred talks about enjoying high school sports and her goal to play golf in college.

Student Advisory Committee Leadership Conference Summary Aug 21, 2026

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Missouri Students Reflect on the NFHS National Student Leadership Summit

In this All-Access Podcast episode, MSHSAA leaders and Student Advisory Committee members Keely Gorman (Licking HS) and Blayde Lindsay (Brookfield HS) recap their experience attending the NFHS National Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis, alongside Associate Executive Director James Melton and Dr. Jennifer Rukstad.

They highlight building fast, meaningful connections with student leaders from across the country and internationally, the impact of in-person learning versus online content, and leadership takeaways centered on mental wellness and resilience—especially Molly Kennedy’s “Flip Your 20” concept. The group discusses how Missouri hopes to bring ideas back to create its own student leadership summit, emphasizing community beyond competition, sportsmanship, leading yourself first, and continually asking students what they need.

Myth Ep. 8 - Appeals Process Aug 18, 2026

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MSHSAA Myths: How the Appeals Process Really Works (Transfers, Hardships & Eligibility)

On the MSHSAA All-Access podcast, Associate Executive Directors Toni Hill and James Melton explain MSHSAA's multi-level appeals process - often used for student transfer eligibility - to address the myth that the association has ultimate rule. They outline how a receiving school submits a transfer form, the sending school responds, and staff review documentation to grant full eligibility or issue restricted eligibility (such as 365-day ineligibility if there is credible evidence of athletic motivation/undue influence, or sub-varsity limits in sports played in the prior 365 days). If a school disagrees, it can present additional evidence to an appeals committee of member-school representatives in a closed student-record hearing, and then, if needed, to the board of directors, where discussion and voting occur in front of the family. They emphasize confidentiality, the volume of hardship applications, and the emotional weight of the hearings.

Myth Ep. 7 - New Championship Factor Aug 14, 2026

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MSHSAA Myth Series: How the Championship Factor Works (2026–27 Changes Explained)

On the MSHSAA All-Access Podcast, Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Assistant Executive Director Lou Mazzocco explain Missouri’s championship factor and the board-approved changes taking effect in 2026–27. They describe the shift from a static six-year point system to a depreciating model that weights recent postseason success more heavily, including new point values (e.g., a state championship starts at 10 points and declines over six years) and a new five-point threshold that typically reduces the bump from a single title to three years. They also note the removal of the two-class cap for teams accumulating many points. Finally, they clarify the “order of operations” for classification—initial enrollment breaks, applying championship factor moves, then rebalancing by sliding schools down—addressing why some placements may appear to jump two classes.

First Day of Practice with Will Christian, AD and Football Coach Aug 10, 2026

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First Day of Fall Practice: How an AD/Head Coach Prepares & Why Engagement Matters

Dr. Jennifer Rukstad opens the 2026–2027 MSHSAA All-Access Podcast season on the first allowable day of fall practices and interviews Will Christian, athletic director at Lebanon High School and head football coach, about managing both roles. Christian emphasizes the importance of a strong support team, summer preparation in June and July, systematic organization, clear communication, and maintaining compliance with requirements like physical exams, transfers, and safety protocols such as heat acclimation and wet bulb readings. They discuss how Missouri’s school start-date law creates a two-week gap between practice and school this year, offering more scheduling flexibility. Christian explains handling cuts in certain sports by guiding students toward other activities and reinforcing that education-based athletics prioritize engagement, mentorship, belonging, and life impact over championships.

2026 Girls Soccer Championships Review Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

2026 MSHSAA Girls Soccer Championships Recap | Class 1–4 Results & Highlights

Dr. Jennifer Rukstad is joined by Alex Huck and Scott Lunte to recap the 2026 MSHSAA Girls Soccer Championships held at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in St. Louis during the first weekend of June. They review each classification: Class 1 saw Pembroke Hill win its first girls soccer title, defeating Duchesne 3-1 and allowing its first postseason goal; Notre Dame Cape Girardeau took third over New Covenant Academy. In Class 2, Pleasant Hill earned its first championship with a 5-0 win over Clayton as Haley DiMarco scored five goals, while St. Vincent’s Lana Adams set a championship-weekend individual record with six goals in the third-place game. Class 3 featured Ft. Zumwalt South’s 2-1 wins over Rockwood Summit and St. Michael the Archangel for its fourth title in six years, with Capital City earning its first girls team trophy. Class 4 ended with Cor Jesu’s third straight championship, a 5-0 win over St. Teresa’s Academy, highlighted by Maddie DiMaria’s seven-goal weekend and strong community support, plus Parkway West’s first girls soccer trophy. The episode closes with reflections on the soccer community, the venue, heat conditions, and a centennial-year shout-out to mascot MO’s 100 appearances.

2026 Baseball Championship Review Jul 01, 2026

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MSHSAA All-Access Podcast: 2026 Baseball Championships Recap (Classes 1–6)

In this MSHSAA All-Access Podcast episode, Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad is joined by Assistant Executive Director Daryl Bradley and Communications Director Andrew Kauffman to recap the 2026 MSHSAA Baseball Championships held over six straight days at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex in Ozark, Missouri. They review results and highlights from Classes 1–6, explain Missouri’s run rule, and note standout performances and records, including first-time championships for Northland Christian, Faith Christian Academy, and Excelsior Springs, plus back-to-back titles for Blue Springs South. The conversation also covers notable storylines such as Excelsior Springs winning while its head coach was deployed overseas, retiring championship coaches, tough quarterfinal paths in the best-of-three format for Classes 5 and 6, and Mal Mayse Distinguished Service Awards presented to the Springfield Sports Commission and Terry Kasper.

2026 Boys Volleyball Championship Review Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Recap: 2026 MSHSAA Boys Volleyball Championships (First Year of Two Classes)

In this MSHSAA All-Access Podcast episode, Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad is joined by Associate Executive Director Toni Hill and communications assistant Scott Lunte to recap the 2026 Boys Volleyball Championships held at the Show-Me Center in Cape Girardeau during a busy spring championship week and the first year the tournament featured two classes. In Class 1, Lutheran South beat St. Dominic 3-1 and Vianney swept Lincoln College Prep 3-0; St. Dominic won third place 3-0 over Lincoln College Prep, and Vianney defeated Lutheran South in a tight four-set final. In Class 2, SLUH edged Liberty Wentzville 3-2 in a reverse sweep and De Smet Jesuit beat Rockhurst 3-1; Liberty Wentzville took third 3-1 over Rockhurst, and De Smet Jesuit won the title over SLUH 3-2 in a reverse sweep, repeating as champion. The group notes record-book updates on mshsaa.org, strong crowds, growing participation (95 postseason teams; about 108 schools total), and optimism for the sport’s continued expansion.

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