Outside the Oval is back...and there is no better way to kick off Season 2 than by telling one of the greatest stories never told. Once upon a time in Hilliard, Ohio on September 30th, 2017, some of the best distance runners in Ohio embarked on the legendary Midwest Meet of Champions. That day, Ohio High School legends Zach Kreft and Dustin Horter stole the show, running to US #1 and #2 performances in an epic duel and one that this sport rarely sees. Join me, alongside Zach and Dustin, as we tell the story of one of the greatest races in high school cross country history. Later in the show, Mark Dwyer, the face of Milesplit Ohio in 2017, joins the show to explain his perspective from this illustrious day and what it meant for distance running in the Buckeye State. This has been a story I have been wanting to share ever since I began Outside the Oval and appreciate all of your support. If you have a story you would like to be told, feel free to reach out via email at outsidetheoval@gmail.com or through Instagram and Twitter @outsidetheoval.

On this week's episode and season 1 finale of Outside the Oval, host Gavin Frick is joined by NC State's 2-time National Champion, 3-time All-American Sam Bush, who quickly highlights her college success, life in Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as her high school career in the state of Ohio. Following Sam, another one of my very successful high school teammates Morgan Hicks joins me to discuss a similar range of topics but provides a whole different perspective. This conversation with Morgan is very inspirational, as she documents some of her most difficult setbacks and adversities while explaining how she was able to stay so positive through it all, maintaining such a positive attitude, and ultimately leading her where she is today - a key member of the nationally ranked Toledo Rockets. And of course, as promised last week, I breakdown my decision to transfer from Kennesaw State and attend the University of Central Arkansas while also previewing season 2 of Outside the Oval, which will return in May!!

On this week's Outside the Oval, host Gavin Frick is joined by the newest breakout middle-distance star KC Heron from the University of Georgia. Together, the two dive into his pursuit of running a sub 4-minute mile, experiences as a Division 1 athlete and Georgia Bulldog, and the running community in the state of Georgia. Not only that, but the pair also discuss the back-to-back National Championship Georgia Football teams, as well as some of his favorite video games and sports to play growing up. And to kick off the show, Gavin gives his predictions as to who he believes will win the Mile, 3000m, and 5000m championships in Albuquerque on the women's and men's side. This, and a whole lot more, on this week's trip Outside the Oval!

On this week's "Outside the Oval," host Gavin Frick is joined by a 4x New Zealand National Record Holder Toby Gualter of Eastern Michigan. Toby and Gavin discuss a wide range of topics from Strava, altitude training, racing in the United States, food, and so much more. Toby’s story unfolds like a prelude to a really exciting story awaiting to be told, as he is on his way to doing incredible things. Early in the show, Gavin also discusses Jakob Ingebrigtsen and his potential to pull off the "Hassan," which is the Olympic Triple consisting of the 1500m, 5000m, and 10000m races. This, and whole lot more, on this week's trip Outside the Oval.

On this week's Outside the Oval, host Gavin Frick is joined by two guests. First, Julian Guinane from The Runners Central on Instagram joins the show once again to take a quick look at the upcoming season and make some predictions along the way. As always, Julian provides excellent insight into key races entering the indoor season such as the Women’s 3000m and Men’s 5,000, while also breaking down some of his favorite meets on the horizon. Once Julian and I finish up, you may know him as Greyhound Bus Jan, the man who traveled from Tampa to Eugene by Greyhound for the World Athletics Championships, Jan Figueroa sits down and shares his journey through the sport. I can’t wait for you to hear the conversation I have with Jan as we run through his career, starting with his time at Florida Gulf Coast University. From there, Jan guides me through his journey to where he is today and highlights his ambitions in the sport of Track and Field. This is an interview you won’t want to miss, which does a tremendous job of putting a spotlight on other areas of our sport that help move our sport forward. All this and a whole lot more on this week's trip Outside the Oval!

On this week's Outside the Oval, host Gavin Frick sits down with former Eastern Michigan MAC Freshman of the Year Andy Payne in a touching interview, which is sure to put our sport in perspective. Gavin and Andy start the show by talking about Andy's early beginnings in the sport, as well as his very successful years as a high school athlete, which led to several amazing and incredibly exciting moments. But as the conversation continues, Andy begins to share some of the experiences he has gone through that have perhaps negatively affected him, in both running and during his day-to-day life, which he has come to find out stemmed from the undeniable passion he shares for the sport. Through the trauma and turmoil, Andy finds ways to put a positive outlook on it all and describes how he was able to overcome the various shortcomings he has faced during his running career.

On this week’s Outside the Oval, host Gavin Frick toucheS base with some recent performances and news in the NCAA during the lead-up to the 2023 indoor season. In the spirit of the holiday season, Frick also shares his favorite holiday story about Seb Coe’s 1979 Christmas, preparing for his Moscow Olympic duel with Steven Ovett the following summer. And to close out the show, Northern Arizona’s Aidan Puffer joins Outside the Oval and discusses his high school career, college recruitment, aspirations as an NCAA athlete, and a whole lot more on this week’s episode of Outside the Oval!

On this week's Outside the Oval, host Gavin Frick is joined by his high school teammates Luke Malone, who runs for the University of Illinois-Chicago, and Michael Gray, who runs for Otterbein University. Together, the three share stories from their time competing for Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City, Ohio, reminiscing in old times such as their freshman cross country and track season, favorite (and least favorite) memories from high school, and even their historic frisbee golf games. Luke and Michael also take the time to list their dream Ohio HS cross country lineup, while also nominating who they believe has excelled the most since graduating high school in Ohio. After spending much of their conversation looking back on old running stories, the group also spends time discussing the highs and lows of being a fan of Ohio sports teams such as the Cleveland Browns, Guardians, and Ohio State Buckeyes. This, and much more on this very special episode of Outside the Oval.