Advertise on podcast: Pending Ratification with Keenan Gray

University of Michigan Marc Weiser Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Kevin Sullivan joins host Keenan Gray on this week’s episode of Pending Ratification. In this episode, Kevin takes us inside the Michigan program, the evolving NIL and transfer portal landscape, recruiting and the expectations surrounding one of the sport’s most recognizable programs.  One of the greatest Canadian middle distance runners of all-time, Kevin reflects on his own transition from competing to coaching and the challenges of learning to lead, connect with athletes and manage a program. Follow Kevin on Instagram at @ksully330_um and stay up to date on Michigan’s program at Athletic.net. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Two-time NCAA 5,000 meters champion Brian Musau of Oklahoma State joins host Keenan Gray on this week’s episode of Pending Ratification. In this episode, Brian takes us through his early life in Kenya, his transition from rugby to distance running, and the decision to pursue both his education and athletic career in the United States.  Brian opens up about adapting to a new culture, finding community in Oklahoma, and what drew him to Oklahoma State’s training environment.  In the four years he’s been in Stillwater, Brian has become one of the most decorated runners in program history. Along with winning two NCAA titles, he’s earned 10 All-American honors, three Big 12 cross country individual titles and has helped Oklahoma State capture two of the last three NCAA cross country team titles. Follow Brian on Instagram at @brianmuangemusau and stay up to date on her latest running accomplishments on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Reigning NCAA steeplechase champion Taylor Lovell of BYU joins host Keenan Gray on this week’s episode of Pending Ratification. In this episode, Taylor opens up about growing up in a large family, the role her siblings play in her life, and the experiences that have shaped who she is outside of athletics. A former soccer player, Taylor talks about the importance of being a multi-sport athlete and how that’s allowed her to excel in running at the next level, resulting in winning the 2026 NCAA title in the steeplechase and continuing the legacy of “Steeple U” at BYU. Looking beyond competition, Taylor opens up about inspiring the next generation, her plans after college, and the importance of living in the moment and pursuing big goals without regrets. Follow Taylor on Instagram at @taylor12lovell and stay up to date on her latest running accomplishments on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Two-time Nike Nationals champion Leah Starkey of Ocean Township NJ joins host Keenan Gray on this week’s episode of Pending Ratification. Leah discusses her recent rise in both track and cross country and how she quickly has transformed into one of the nation’s top distance runners in such a short time. In a six month-span, Starkey has won a Nike Indoor Nationals title, a Nike Outdoor Nationals title and most recently ran a New Jersey 5k cross country all-time best of 16:03.9. Leah shares her passion for March Madness and basketball, her love for water activities, such as paddle boarding and swimming, and her dream of working in sports marketing when she grows up. Follow Leah on Instagram at @leahgene0819 and stay up to date on her latest running accomplishments on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Reigning NXR Southeast champion Drew Beroset of McCallie School TN joins host Keenan Gray on this week’s episode of Pending Ratification to discuss his journey from Florida to Tennessee, his transition from soccer to running and his love for college football. Raised in Gulf Breeze, Florida, Drew takes us through the move he and his family made to Chattanooga, Tennessee, his junior year of high school and the impact that it had on him from both an academic and athletic standpoint. Beyond running, Drew shares his passion for both soccer and college football and breaks down his favorite moments from playing soccer when he was growing up to watching the Alabama Crimson Tide play over the years. Drew announced he will be attending Alabama in the fall of 2027 to run for the Crimson Tide, which is where his father also ran in college. Follow Drew on Instagram at @_drewberoset_ and stay up to date on his latest running accomplishments on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Allie Zealand of Liberty sits down with host Keenan Gray for this week’s episode of Pending Ratification to reflect on her journey through running and the close-knit community that has shaped her life around. Allie opens up about the transition from a record-setting high school career to college life at Liberty University. She shares how her family, faith and community have shaped her journey, what it’s like being both a coach’s daughter and an athlete, and how she’s learned to balance academics, athletics and life away from the track.  Follow Allie on Instagram at @alliezealand and stay up to date on her latest running accomplishments on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Rocky Hansen of Wake Forest joins host Keenan Gray on this week’s episode of Pending Ratification to discuss his journey from growing up as a military kid to becoming a standout collegiate runner, while focusing heavily on his life and experiences away from running.  Rocky reflects on moving between Arizona, Texas and North Carolina, how those experiences shaped him, and his childhood interests before getting into running. He also talks about his decision to attend The Christ School, the friendships and responsibilities that came with boarding school, and how his high school experience prepared him for college.  A major theme is Rocky’s transition to college and greater independence. He discusses learning to balance academics, athletics and his social life while developing greater discipline, gratitude and appreciation for his relationships.  Follow Rocky on Instagram at @rocky_hansen_ and stay up to date on his latest running accomplishments on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Brooks Barbee of The Christ School in North Carolina joins host Keenan Gray on this week’s episode of Pending Ratification. In this conversation, Brooks discusses how he balances academics and athletics at a prestigious school like The Christ School. He opens up about his fascination with airplanes, his approach to independence and self-reliance, and why community, teamwork, and shared goals have become such an important part of his experience.  On the cross country course, Brooks talks about his team’s goals for the fall and how they will look to improve upon a seventh-place finish at Nike Cross Nationals and become national title contenders. Follow Brooks on Instagram at @brooks.barbee and stay up to date on his latest running accomplishments on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Reigning USATF U20 5,000-meter champion and Barrington IL senior Mia Sirois joins this week’s Pending Ratification show as she prepares for the upcoming high school cross country. Sirois will be returning to the cross country scene after missing all of her junior season last fall due to an ankle injury. She shares details about her recovery over the last year that also led to a strong spring season that’s proven she is ready to make a comeback this fall and be in contention to compete for an individual cross country national title. Outside of running, Sirois shares about her passion for baking and how she aspires to become a nutritionist when she grows up. She’s also an avid fan of Disney, referencing the movie, “Ratatoullie” as an inspiration to her cooking, and enjoys spending downtime up at the lake with her family. Follow Mia on Instagram at @miasirois_runz and stay up to date on her latest running accomplishments on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Two-time Olympian Karissa Schweizer joins Pending Ratification, talking with co-hosts Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, running through her journey as an athlete, navigating injuries, goal setting, and so much more. Schweizer, who trains out of Portland and is sponsored by Nike, touches on her international success over the years, the ups and downs of running transitions, the importance of building mental resilience, and what keeps her motivated both in the short term and long term. Schweizer has had tremendous success over the past decade. The five-time NCAA champion at the University of Missouri joined the Bowerman Track Club out of college and immediately became a force at the professional level. The Iowa native qualified for the Olympic Games in both Tokyo and Paris, running both the 5000m and 10,000m. Schweizer ranks US#4 all-time in both the 5000m and 10,000m events, with personal bests of 14:26.34 and 30:18.05. Make sure to follow Karissa on Instagram at @karissaschweiz4 and keep up to speed on her latest accomplishments on the track on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Two-time Olympian Karissa Schweizer joins Pending Ratification, talking with co-hosts Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, running through her journey as an athlete, navigating injuries, goal setting, and so much more. Schweizer, who trains out of Portland and is sponsored by Nike, touches on her international success over the years, the ups and downs of running transitions, the importance of building mental resilience, and what keeps her motivated both in the short term and long term. Schweizer has had tremendous success over the past decade. The five-time NCAA champion at the University of Missouri joined the Bowerman Track Club out of college and immediately became a force at the professional level. The Iowa native qualified for the Olympic Games in both Tokyo and Paris, running both the 5000m and 10,000m. Schweizer ranks US#4 all-time in both the 5000m and 10,000m events, with personal bests of 14:26.34 and 30:18.05. Make sure to follow Karissa on Instagram at @karissaschweiz4 and keep up to speed on her latest accomplishments on the track on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, pro steeplechase standout Gracie Hyde joins Pending Ratification and co-hosts Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, sharing her athletic journey, talking through the ups and downs of competing in the sport, and goals for her 2026 season. Hyde shares how she first got into the sport growing up in Arkansas, her three stop college journey, stepping away from the sport while struggling with mental health and an eating disorder, coming back stronger and becoming an all-time great at the DII level, and building community and chasing goals as a pro athlete. After transferring to Adams State University, Hyde won five NCAA DII championships, setting multiple DII records. Since turning professional, Hyde has focused on the 3,000m steeplechase, running a personal best of 9:16.61 this June in Finland. She placed third at the USATF 5 km Championships in Indianapolis earlier this season and is currently sponsored by Puma. Make sure to follow Gracie on Instagram at @graciehyde and keep up to speed on her latest accomplishments on the track on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, pro steeplechase standout Gracie Hyde joins Pending Ratification and co-hosts Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, sharing her athletic journey, talking through the ups and downs of competing in the sport, and goals for her 2026 season. Hyde shares how she first got into the sport growing up in Arkansas, her three stop college journey, stepping away from the sport while struggling with mental health and an eating disorder, coming back stronger and becoming an all-time great at the DII level, and building community and chasing goals as a pro athlete. After transferring to Adams State University, Hyde won five NCAA DII championships, setting multiple DII records. Since turning professional, Hyde has focused on the 3,000m steeplechase, running a personal best of 9:16.61 this June in Finland. She placed third at the USATF 5 km Championships in Indianapolis earlier this season and is currently sponsored by Puma. Make sure to follow Gracie on Instagram at @graciehyde and keep up to speed on her latest accomplishments on the track on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of Pending Ratification, co-hosts Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney catch up with American half marathon record holder Weini Kelati. Kelati shares her amazing story of competing at the World Junior Outdoor Championships in the United States in 2014, purposely staying in the U.S. and being granted asylum.  Kelati touches on her struggle to adjust to life in the United States, how she evolved as an athlete and person at the University of New Mexico, gaining American citizenship in 2021, and life as a pro athlete. The conversation then turns to Kelati’s Mt. Rushmore of the sport and what sport she’d want to set a world record in other than track and field. Kelati reset her American half marathon record earlier this year, running 1:06:04 at the Hyundai Barcelona Half Marathon. The Flagstaff-based Nike pro won the 10,000m title at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, placed eighth in the event at the Olympic Games in Paris, and has established herself as one of the best American road runners having won numerous USATF road titles. Make sure to follow Weini on Instagram at @weini_kelati and keep up to speed on her latest accomplishments on the track on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of Pending Ratification, co-hosts Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney catch up with American half marathon record holder Weini Kelati. Kelati shares her amazing story of competing at the World Junior Outdoor Championships in the United States in 2014, purposely staying in the U.S. and being granted asylum.  Kelati touches on her struggle to adjust to life in the United States, how she evolved as an athlete and person at the University of New Mexico, gaining American citizenship in 2021, and life as a pro athlete. The conversation then turns to Kelati’s Mt. Rushmore of the sport and what sport she’d want to set a world record in other than track and field. Kelati reset her American half marathon record earlier this year, running 1:06:04 at the Hyundai Barcelona Half Marathon. The Flagstaff-based Nike pro won the 10,000m title at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, placed eighth in the event at the Olympic Games in Paris, and has established herself as one of the best American road runners having won numerous USATF road titles. Make sure to follow Weini on Instagram at @weini_kelati and keep up to speed on her latest accomplishments on the track on Athletic. Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray and Maddie Mooney, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport. Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.