EP 80 (S2E28):Austin Pillado PAC12 Review & NCAA Preview

·1 hr 27 min·5 clips

Austin says ASU's medley relay set an NCAA record and still has room to get faster.

Episode 80 opens with a thank-you to listeners and a quick look at how far the show has come. The host says people at the Olympic Training Center stop him to mention the podcast. That gives the episode a warm, lived-in feel right away. Austin Pilato is back on the hot mic for a conversation that leans heavily on ASU and what comes next. The episode recaps the ASU dynasty that's forming. It also spends time on a Pac-12 farewell speech and farewell tour angle. From there, the conversation turns toward an NCAA preview. The hosts keep the tone casual and conversational. They leave room for long responses and little sidebars. A good stretch of the discussion centers on the 200 breaststroke group. The talk focuses on how prelims can look strong even when finals still leave details to clean up. That leads into a broader point about learning to race the final session better. The hosts point to Andy Dobersheisty showing up and showing out, then still having details to sharpen. They treat that as a real learning experience, not just a result on paper. Austin and the host also dig into what it means to grow over a full year. They bring up a Pac-12 roommate moment from last year that came back to matter this year. That becomes a small but meaningful example of athlete development. The conversation keeps circling back to how coaching and mentoring shape that process. The host asks whether finals performance can be coached or whether the athlete has to live through it. That question gives the episode its clearest spine. The answer stays tied to experience, repetition, and learning under pressure. The show also makes room for some lighter praise and team pride. There is a strong sense of support for the swimmers involved. New segments appear near the end, which gives the episode a little extra lift. Austin stays central throughout as the hosts work through the stakes of the season. The final stretch lands on NCAA preparation and what it will take to execute well. The tone stays earnest, a little messy, and very much inside the sport.

As heard by us

A warm, athlete-to-athlete update on ASU, the Pac-12, and NCAA prep, with new end segments.

Austin Pilato returns for a laid-back, inside baseball conversation about the ASU dynasty taking shape, the Pac-12 farewell tour, and a look ahead to the NCAA meet.

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Why you'd press play

You want a swim-world conversation that feels like being in the room after practice.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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