McLean County Times

Each week, Titan Table Talk brings together coaches and student-athletes from Illinois Wesleyan University to discuss recent events and upcoming competitions in Titan athletics.

In the latest episode, host Matt Sosler began by speaking with head football coach Jared Williamson. Williamson discussed the team's recent loss to Carroll and shared his thoughts on preparing for the season finale against top-ranked North Central College scheduled for November 15. "We start things off with Coach Williamson, who recaps their loss to Carroll, and shares his goals for the final game of the season against top-ranked North Central College," said Sosler.

The program continued with junior men's soccer players Joey Rodino and Matthew Perchik reflecting on winning their second CCIW Tournament title in school history. They also previewed their participation in the NCAA Tournament. Head men's soccer coach Kyle Schauls followed up with additional commentary about the team's conference championship and looked ahead to competition in Minnesota. "Perchik and Rodino reflect on their CCIW Tournament championship, the second in program history, and look ahead to the NCAA Tournament," Sosler stated.

Sophomore Alex Bardouniotis and freshman Carly Whitaker from women's volleyball joined next to review their regular season finale and discuss expectations as they begin pursuit of a second consecutive CCIW Tournament Championship. "Bardouniotis and Whitaker recap their regular season finale and preview the conference tournament," said Sosler.

Director of Swimming and Diving Dan Lloyd spoke about his first two wins leading IWU Swim & Dive, summarizing recent meets and highlighting new developments within the program. "Following his first two wins at the helm, Coach Lloyd recaps the last two meets and talks about some of the new exciting changes in IWU Swim and Dive," according to Sosler.

Freshmen women's wrestlers Angel Hill and Kennedy Murray discussed highlights from their initial competitions, including earning first-place finishes at last week's Pointer Open as well as securing a dual meet victory over Lakeland at the Lakeland Duals. They also mentioned preparations for Illinois Wesleyan's inaugural home women's wrestling dual meet set for November 17 against North Central College. "Hill and Murray break down their dual meet win over Lakeland and each of their first-place finishes at last week's Pointer Open. They also talk about being in a young program and the first ever women's wrestling home dual meet, Monday, Nov. 17, against North Central," explained Sosler.

The episode concluded with basketball coverage. Head women's basketball coach Mia Smith was joined by senior captain Ava Bardic to preview their 2025-26 schedule beginning with this weekend's Champions Classic hosted at Shirk Center. On the men's side, head coach Ron Rose spoke alongside senior Karlo Colak about preparations for opening play at this year's Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational taking place November 14-15 at Shirk Center. "Coach Smith and Bardic preview their 2025-26 slate which begins with this weekend's Champions Classic at the Shirk Center." Additionally: "Coach Rose and Colak look ahead to the upcoming season that begins with the Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational this Friday-Saturday, Nov. 14-15, at the Shirk Center."