1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:02,760 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're a 2 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:06,480 Speaker 1: sailor peg and we lost our leg. We're shipping up 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: to Boston. We'll see you their slices. It's Friday, March thirteenth. 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: Happy NWSL opening weekend, and happy Friday the thirteenth for 5 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:17,280 Speaker 1: all you Triskadeca files. On today's show, we'll be chatting 6 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: with twenty two time Paralympic medallist Oksana Masters. So by 7 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 1: the time you hear this, it might be twenty three 8 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: time Paralympic medalist, but we're twenty four time. There's really 9 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: no slow in this woman down. We caught up with 10 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: her on Thursday to talk about her experience in Italy 11 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: so far, how she's made a home for herself in 12 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 1: the Pain Cave, and why this weekend's cross country twenty 13 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:37,880 Speaker 1: k is the race she circled on her calendar as 14 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: soon as the Paralympic schedule came out. Plus the US 15 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: catches up on a Canadian trend. It's time to press 16 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 1: the bracket printing presses and with so many meetings going 17 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:49,879 Speaker 1: so late, can we call CBA negotiations pillow talk at 18 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: this point, it's all coming up right after this welcome 19 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: back to Here's what you need to know today. Let's 20 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 1: start with the NWSL, where the twenty twenty sixth season 21 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:10,400 Speaker 1: gets underway tonight with the Washington Spirit hosting the Portland Thorns. 22 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:13,199 Speaker 1: We're psyched to see Trinity Rodman back in a Spirit 23 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: Jersey now is the highest paid female soccer player in 24 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: the world, making more than two million dollars a year, 25 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: and on Wednesday, it was also confirmed that new Thorns 26 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:25,039 Speaker 1: coach Robert Willehem will be on the sidelines for that 27 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: game as well, after his visa was approved. All sixteen 28 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 1: NWSL teams, Oh sixteen. Still feels weird to say that 29 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: all sixteen will be in action this weekend, including expansion 30 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:39,040 Speaker 1: side Boston Legacy hosting last year's NWSL champs Got Them 31 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: FC on Saturday, twelve thirty Eastern at the home of 32 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:45,759 Speaker 1: the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium. All of Big Citrus 33 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: is planning to be in the stands for that one, 34 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: so if you catch sight of one of us, say hey, 35 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 1: maybe we'll have a leftover Olympic pin for you. Those 36 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 1: of you watching at home can catch that one on ABC. 37 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: Also on Saturday, the league's other expansion team Denver FC 38 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: opens it it's inaugural campaign in California against BAFC. We'll 39 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 1: link to the full NWSL schedule in the show notes. 40 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: For those of you out in La La Land, Angel 41 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,679 Speaker 1: City is celebrating the team's fifth season with a bunch 42 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: of fun stuff planned for the lead up to Sunday's 43 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 1: home opener, including a sort of city wide takeover, led 44 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: trucks rolling around town promoting the team, adds across Central 45 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: La Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard, lamp post takeovers, pink lights 46 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 1: from Sunset to Silver Lake, and billboards across hollywoods so 47 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:30,640 Speaker 1: keep your eyes peeled. A lot of ACFCS signature Soul 48 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: Rosa pink going to be around. And if you're New 49 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: York based, you can attend the NWSL's official kickoff watch 50 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 1: party on Saturday. It'll be at Bathouse Studios in the 51 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: East Village featuring live screenings of three matches. The event 52 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 1: goes from eleven thirty am to eight pm Eastern and 53 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: is hosted by Ashanti Plumber and Milky Shake. And it's 54 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 1: going to have photo ops, giveaways, merch, flash tattoos, nail art, 55 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 1: and you can buy food and beverages as well. We'll 56 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 1: link to the free RSVP link in the show notes. 57 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:02,120 Speaker 1: Some more NWSL news, the Chicago Stars have acquired forward 58 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 1: Jordan Haidema, sending two hundred thousand dollars in allocation money 59 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:07,920 Speaker 1: and a three hundred thousand dollars transfer fee to the 60 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 1: Seattle Rain in the deal. Itema began her pro career 61 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 1: with Francis Paris Sanderman, spending three seasons there before joining 62 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 1: Seattle in twenty twenty two. She also boasts ninety six 63 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: caps for Team Canada and helped them to gold at 64 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 1: the Tokyo Olympics. To the WNBA, where the marathon late 65 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 1: night collective bargaining agreement talks continue on Wednesday night, players 66 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: union president Neko Oguma Kay told reporters waiting outside of 67 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 1: league headquarters that the players are seeing movement, even though 68 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 1: a deal still hasn't been reached. Said Oguma Kay quote, 69 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, we want a season, 70 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 1: we want to play. We've heard that from the other 71 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 1: side as well. We need to see a more robust 72 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: demonstration of that as we continue on in these negotiations 73 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: end quote. Per ESPN's Alexa Philippo, one of the reporters 74 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 1: who's been camped out on the streets awaiting news. The 75 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 1: league's latest proposal includes a starting salary cap of six 76 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: point two million dollars. That's up from a previous offer 77 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 1: of five point seventy five million, and it's a whole 78 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: lot more than last season's salary cap of one point 79 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: five million. Commissioner Katy Engelbert called the latest proposal a 80 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: quote unquote real and transformational deal for these players, citing 81 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: increased salaries at benefits and noting the need to find 82 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: balance for quote the health of the league. It's unclear 83 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: how revenue sharing and housing factor into the latest deal, 84 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,359 Speaker 1: two issues that have been key to players. As of 85 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: this recording on Thursday afternoon, the two sides are currently 86 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:28,040 Speaker 1: in their third day of face to face meetings, and 87 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,799 Speaker 1: we're guessing some of our favorite reporters are still sitting outside. 88 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 1: So if you happen to be near the hotel in 89 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:34,839 Speaker 1: Midtown where the meetings are being held, feel free to 90 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:38,599 Speaker 1: send over a pizza. Good pizza, None of that dominoes 91 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: I saw front of the show, any costable holding in 92 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 1: a photo, No shade of dominoes. I mean, especially if 93 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,159 Speaker 1: you want to sponsor us I just think you know 94 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 1: they could do better to the Paralympics. There are still 95 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: a few more days of competition in Italy before the 96 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,159 Speaker 1: Games wrap up on Sunday. On the schedule for today 97 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: snowboarding's banked slalom. That event was originally scheduled for Saturday, 98 00:04:57,360 --> 00:04:59,040 Speaker 1: but it was moved up a day due to impending 99 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:02,719 Speaker 1: snow and rain in Cortina. Meantime, in Prudazzo, where cross 100 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:04,880 Speaker 1: country and biathlon are happening, it's going to be a 101 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 1: busy few days for the athletes to compete in both sports, 102 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: including today's guest Oksana Masters. The biathlon sprint pursuit is today, 103 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: the cross country relays art tomorrow, and then Nordic Action 104 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: wraps up with the twenty k on Sunday. Plenty more 105 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 1: on what to expect in those events in just a 106 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,840 Speaker 1: bit with Oksana. Also this weekend, the alpine skiing competition 107 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: wraps up on Saturday with the women slalom. One cool 108 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: international story to keep an eye on. Competing in the 109 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 1: visually impaired classification. Austria's Veronica Agner will be looking to 110 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:36,159 Speaker 1: win her fifth medal in her fifth event after claiming 111 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 1: three golds and one silver so far in Italy. Veronica 112 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 1: is one of five Aichner's siblings, three of whom were 113 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: born with congenital cataracts and two of whom were not. 114 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 1: Veronica has historically been guided by her sighted sister Elizabeth, 115 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 1: including four years ago in Beijing, but she had begin 116 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: working with two new guides after Elizabeth sustained a knee injury. 117 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:57,279 Speaker 1: Ahead at the Paralympics. To college hoops, where the final 118 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: conference tournaments are wrapping up this weekend ahead of Sunday's 119 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 1: big bracket reveal. The sixty eight team field will include 120 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,160 Speaker 1: thirty one conference champions plus thirty seven teams receiving at 121 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:09,040 Speaker 1: large bids from the selection committee. The women's bracket will 122 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: be revealed on Sunday at eight pm Eastern via a 123 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: selection show on ESPN, And just like last year, we're 124 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 1: planning to have a good game bracket competition. We'll have 125 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:20,440 Speaker 1: more details on that in Monday show. More Hoops. The 126 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 1: US national team opened up play at the Feeble World 127 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 1: Cup qualifying tourney on Wednesday night in San Juan, Puerto 128 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: Rico with a one ten to forty six win over Senegal. 129 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: Ryan Howard came off the bench to lead the team 130 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,040 Speaker 1: in scoring, recording twenty one points, while Caitlin Clark had 131 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 1: a seventeen point twelve assists double double in her Team 132 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 1: USA debut and long awaited return to the court post injury. 133 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: We're taping this ahead of Team USA's Thursday night matchup 134 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:46,280 Speaker 1: against Puerto Rico, and the squad plays twice more over 135 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: the weekend as well, tipping off against Italy Saturday and 136 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 1: New Zealand on Sunday. We'll link the game schedule in 137 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:54,600 Speaker 1: the show notes. Even more hoops this time of the 138 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 1: three x three variety. The FOBA three x three Champions 139 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: Cup is this weekend in Bangkok, Thailand. The winner of 140 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 1: the three day tournament will automatically qualify for next year's 141 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,280 Speaker 1: three x three World Cup and three x three Champions Cup, 142 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 1: in addition to the Olympic qualifying tournament in twenty twenty eight. 143 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: Now that final benefit is less important to the US, 144 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 1: they've already qualified both the men's and women's team for 145 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty eight LA Games as host station in 146 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: Bangkok this weekend. The US team is led by twenty 147 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: twenty one three x three Olympic champion Ali Shagra, along 148 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 1: with Shakira, Austin, Veronica Burton, and Nas Hillman. That same 149 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: US lineup won the twenty twenty five three x three 150 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 1: Americ Cup. They open competition today at ten twenty am 151 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:36,679 Speaker 1: Eastern with a game against Madagascar. The tournament is streaming 152 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: live on YouTube. We'll link to the Phoeba three x 153 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 1: three channel in the show notes so you can follow along. 154 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: To tennis, Indian Wells concludes this weekend with the semi 155 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 1: finals of the women's singles bracket today, followed by the 156 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 1: championship match on Sunday. Now, we're recording this ahead of 157 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 1: Thursday's quarterfinals, so we're not yet sure which athletes will 158 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: go through, but as of this recording, the top three 159 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 1: in the world Arenas abalnka IGAs Fiantec and Elena Rabakna 160 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: are still all in the mix. We'll link to the 161 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: full Indian Wells schedule and results in the show notes. 162 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: To hockey, the PWHL announced on Thursday that the league 163 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 1: has booked its first nationally televised game in the US. 164 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 1: The March twenty eighth Takeover Tour game in Detroit between 165 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 1: the New York Sirens and the Montreal Victoire. Will be 166 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 1: available nationwide to US viewers, with Ion set to broadcast 167 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 1: the game as part of a one off deal with 168 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: the league. Up until now, PWHL games have been available 169 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 1: via streaming on YouTube to all US viewers, with a 170 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 1: lot of in market games picked up by regional networks 171 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 1: meantime up north. In Canada, PWHL games have been televised 172 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 1: nationally since year one, with games airing across the country 173 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: on TSNNCBC more PWHL. There's five games on the slate 174 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: this weekend, including a matchup between the league's top two teams, 175 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 1: Boston and Montreal that Sunday afternoon at one Eastern. The 176 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: current third and fourth place teams Minnesota and New York 177 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:54,200 Speaker 1: will also be going head to head on Sunday. It'll 178 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 1: be a Denver takeover tour stop that games at four 179 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 1: pm Eastern. I says, just a reminder for those of 180 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:03,720 Speaker 1: you who missed the good news yesterday, you can now 181 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:07,599 Speaker 1: watch our interviews on YouTube. That's right, full interviews and 182 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: video form to subscribe over at YouTube dot com slash 183 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: at Iheartwomen's Sports. We'll link to it in the show notes. 184 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 1: All Right, we got to take a break. When we 185 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:27,200 Speaker 1: come back it's twenty two time Paralympic medalist Oaksana Masters, 186 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 1: joining us now. She's already at three time gold medalist 187 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: at the twenty twenty six Milan Cortina Games, with several 188 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:36,199 Speaker 1: events to go. A multisport phenom and the most decorated 189 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: US Winter Paralympian of all times. Since making her debut 190 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: in twenty twelve, she's competed at seven Paralympics, winning a 191 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 1: total of twenty two medals across four different sports cross 192 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 1: country skiing, biathlon, cycling and rowing. The author of The 193 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:50,680 Speaker 1: Hard Parts, a memoir of courage and triumph, which came 194 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 1: out in twenty twenty three, she'd been hardcore Vibean with 195 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: the food and coffee in Italy. It's Oaksana Masters. Hi, Oaksanna, Hi, 196 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,040 Speaker 1: how are you? I'm good. I'm not as good as you. 197 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 1: I can't believe we even found ten minutes to chat 198 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: with you in the midst of your insanely busy schedule 199 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: of winning things. You know I have to ask you 200 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: at this point. I would like to say you should 201 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 1: never ever be surprised to win, but I will agree 202 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: that you've dealt with a lot in the last few weeks. 203 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 1: Including a bone infection and a concussion. So I actually 204 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: did believe you when you said you were surprised by 205 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,559 Speaker 1: your first goal at these Games. So tell us more 206 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: about the lead up to these Paralympics and why maybe 207 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:28,120 Speaker 1: it's surprising to you that you just keep winning everything. 208 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:31,760 Speaker 2: I think, and why it's so surprising because, like I, well, 209 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 2: nothing's ever guaranteed. Yes that there's a history and I 210 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 2: have gold medals from the past, but I'm an athlete 211 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 2: that believes that was then in Today's a new day, 212 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 2: today's a new race, and I don't carry that over 213 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 2: minus the confidence. But the leadup has been very challenging 214 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 2: for me personally and just kind of more shook my 215 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 2: confidence and the ability even more to believe in myself, 216 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 2: not that I really had that to begin with, but yeah, 217 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:00,959 Speaker 2: I missed a lot, a lot of training. I think 218 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 2: that's what was hard is I'm an athlete that I 219 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 2: might not believe in myself, but I like to go 220 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 2: back to the basics and fundamentals of I believe in 221 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:11,000 Speaker 2: my training and the work I put in. And that 222 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 2: was the biggest change from this games in the past 223 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 2: is missing a huge three week window block, which is 224 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 2: huge for an endurance sport athlete. But yeah, it's just 225 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 2: it's always a shock and. 226 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 1: Yet still working out. So gold medal winning races Para biathlon, 227 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 1: spread Saturday, cross country sprint Tuesday, paracross country, ten k intervals, 228 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: start sitting race on Wednesday, Apparently you just don't need 229 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 1: any rest or recovery of those races. Does anything stand 230 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: out in particular about like something that went very right 231 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: or something that worked out in your favor that helped 232 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 1: you get the gold. 233 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 2: I think what went really right for me is in 234 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 2: the first race, I hit all my shots and that 235 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:55,679 Speaker 2: was a huge thing for biathlon especially. That was wild 236 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 2: because this season I've been struggling with shooting. I have 237 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 2: not cleaned the race, and cleaning means where you hit 238 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 2: all your targets. Dirty means where you miss all five, 239 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 2: which I love dirty Thai. So that's also maybe why 240 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:10,200 Speaker 2: I keep missing. Who knows, but that I think for 241 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 2: me went really well, especially because I kind of put 242 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 2: it out there as that I've cleaned the sprint biathlon 243 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:22,000 Speaker 2: in all four well all three of the games from Sochi, Korea, Beijing, 244 00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 2: and I really wanted to do that here and I did, 245 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 2: and that just put me on gold. Yeah. And then 246 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:30,480 Speaker 2: also just we have an incredible team for the ten k. 247 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 2: We had so many coaches that were winding up, just 248 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:38,080 Speaker 2: screaming at us and giving us splits and information and 249 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 2: just remember specifically hearing how bad do you want this? 250 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 2: And I was like, oh my gosh, I actually want 251 00:12:42,280 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 2: this really really bad. And that was on the last 252 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 2: lap and that was amazing. 253 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 1: So the talk of others is helpful, but you do 254 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:50,680 Speaker 1: a lot of self talk too. It's really important to 255 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:52,679 Speaker 1: you before and during a race, and you do a 256 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:55,839 Speaker 1: lot of mindfulness practices. You're counting things to take your 257 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:58,439 Speaker 1: mind off the pain. So many tools in your toolbox 258 00:12:58,480 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: at this point, when did you first start to dive 259 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: and really regularly apply them in your competition. 260 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 2: I think for me, I actually didn't even know that 261 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 2: it was a tool of my toolbox, especially the counting, 262 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:11,560 Speaker 2: which was I found out with our sports psychologists that 263 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 2: it was a form of mindfulness too and just meditated 264 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 2: kind of state. And I think where a lot of 265 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 2: that stuff comes from is from my childhood, going through 266 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 2: a lot of therapy sessions and just taking things I 267 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:29,640 Speaker 2: did not really know I was doing then and applying 268 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 2: it in my sport until I was I said, hey, 269 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 2: I'm counting this. What this means. I believe there's so 270 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:38,600 Speaker 2: much power in the word too, And for me on 271 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 2: the start line, especially an athlete that I know, I'm 272 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,320 Speaker 2: one of the smaller athletes and not necessarily the strongest, 273 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,319 Speaker 2: and so there's so much power in the word. And 274 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 2: something I do in every start line is I breathe 275 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 2: in and say I am and say strong. And that 276 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:57,560 Speaker 2: is something that's the last thing I hear myself tell 277 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,959 Speaker 2: myself to really help me believe and then just go. 278 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 1: You have a second start line midway through the race too, 279 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: Tell me about that. 280 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, halfway through the race is kind of where I 281 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 2: reframe it, especially in the longer ones, especially in the 282 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 2: ten k and the twenty k's, it's where you're halfway through. 283 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 2: That to me is the real start line. That's where 284 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 2: the race really starts and I think will separate a 285 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 2: lot of the athletes and competitors and like that for me, 286 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 2: when I think about this is the start line, this 287 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 2: is the real one. I then it's fresh for me 288 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 2: and my mentality in my upper body, I try to 289 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 2: like stand up a little taller and just really power 290 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 2: through that second half because that's going to be that's 291 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 2: the most important part of the race. And then the 292 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 2: last slap is always dedicated to my mom, which is 293 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 2: something that any athlete when they think about their village 294 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 2: and there are people who have helped them, that gives 295 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 2: you so much. It not only lifts you up, it 296 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 2: just gives you so much power. 297 00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 1: Yeah. Absolutely, you know. I want to talk about Ukraine. 298 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: You were born there. Often talk about your love for 299 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 1: the country, especially after Russia's invasion. I remember at the 300 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: Paris Games in twenty twenty four, Paralympic officials told you 301 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 1: to cover up you have these heart shaped stickers of 302 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: the Ukrainian flag. 303 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 2: Before you were competed in Beijing too, they told me 304 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 2: I was trying to everywhere and that yeah. 305 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:18,239 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean they have some pretty strict rules about yeah, 306 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: any sort of show like that. Presumably they thought they 307 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 1: were a political symbol. We've seen this happen for other athletes, 308 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: do not just you. Even last month with the Ukrainian 309 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 1: skeleton racer, did you bring any of those heart stickers 310 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:30,320 Speaker 1: with you to Italy? Did you bring anything to show 311 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: your pride in Ukraine? 312 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 2: I have the stickers with me. I did not put 313 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 2: them on my equipment, partially because I was kind of 314 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 2: told not to and a lot of warnings and things 315 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 2: like that. I didn't want to jeopardize my races and 316 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 2: my race stars and for the team. And I think, honestly, 317 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 2: I'll be really, really frank and honest, and I think 318 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 2: that's the hardest thing as an athlete is I feel 319 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 2: sometimes like you're silenced in a way when you can't 320 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 2: show something that is a part of you, that is 321 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 2: in my DNA, it's in my blood. I am Ukrainian. 322 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 2: And when you can't wear a sticker that it didn't 323 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 2: say Ukraine or anything. It was just a heart with 324 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 2: a blue and yellow. So it's not political. And it's 325 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 2: very very challenging when you see certain flags where are 326 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 2: being flown high and it's very challenging. And so for me, 327 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 2: I channel it as in more fuel and just that 328 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 2: to me the secret weapon. And one of my favorite 329 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 2: days here was the first day in a sprint because 330 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 2: Ukraine just had such an incredible start to the Games 331 00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 2: and every time I feel like I can be on 332 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 2: the ponium at the top of it, it's also a 333 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:36,600 Speaker 2: win for Ukraine. 334 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, you're representing both. Has it been harder at all 335 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 1: at these games since the Paralympics did allow Russian athletes 336 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 1: to compete under their flag and with their music as 337 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:45,720 Speaker 1: opposed to the Olympics. 338 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 2: Yes, very very hard and very awkward walking on the 339 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 2: village and seeing the flag, and it's very challenging, and 340 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 2: I feel like there are sometimes double standards with the 341 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 2: way that things are being chosen and how they're applied. 342 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:06,160 Speaker 2: And it's super it is, it's heart. It breaks my heart, 343 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 2: and it's a bittersweet experience for me here, but that 344 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:13,240 Speaker 2: also makes me feel that much more proud. And the 345 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 2: screaming at the finish line and just the shock is 346 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 2: it's not just for me, It's fourteen USA, It's for 347 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:25,680 Speaker 2: every single Ukrainian, It's for every single female and girl 348 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 2: athlete with a disability, and just so much more. And yeah, 349 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 2: that kind of takes away what if I can do well. 350 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 2: It takes away from the spotlight of other flags. 351 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:41,879 Speaker 1: You race with a lot on your shoulders. You're representing 352 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 1: so many things, and I think that might be how 353 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:47,160 Speaker 1: you're able to dig so deep. You call the stretches 354 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:49,639 Speaker 1: of a race that are particularly difficult the pain cave. 355 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,360 Speaker 1: I'm wondering, at a scale of one to ten, how 356 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 1: deep and dark the pain Cave is in the races 357 00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 1: that you've already done, and are you about to approach 358 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 1: it even deeper and darker one with one coming home? 359 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 2: Uh? Yeah, the pain Cave is very very dark and deep, 360 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:08,520 Speaker 2: and honestly, I made it quite a homy vibe and feel. 361 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:10,440 Speaker 2: Now I've got all my pictures and everything there because 362 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 2: I'm ready to live in there and just suffer as 363 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:16,200 Speaker 2: much as I can and just dig deep. And yes, 364 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 2: especially the twenty K I think it's going to be 365 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 2: a huge amount of over an hour in the pain 366 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 2: Cave from the start. Yeah, it's gonna be a tough one. 367 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 2: And because a lot these courses are very flat and 368 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 2: not so technical, so they are to advantage to other 369 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 2: athletes and not for my style. So I am ready, 370 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 2: I've got my pictures in my pain cave. Up, I've 371 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:39,480 Speaker 2: got every single. 372 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 1: You got an hour? Oh my gosh. 373 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 2: You know I am a true crime junkie, so probably 374 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 2: some true crime stuff or a baking show. There's something 375 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:50,120 Speaker 2: very like calming about that too. 376 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, Oh my gosh. Imagining a baking show in the 377 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:55,080 Speaker 1: pain Cave feels like a good tambo. You're also just 378 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 1: like cooking up a win. You're just baking the wind 379 00:18:57,560 --> 00:18:59,720 Speaker 1: in the pain cave, ready to emerge at the end 380 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:04,160 Speaker 1: with a beautiful you know, popover or whatever. Longest ever 381 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: race at the Paralympics, especially in the sitting classification. Do 382 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:08,880 Speaker 1: you like having that addition this year? 383 00:19:09,119 --> 00:19:11,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm really excited. I've actually not raised this race 384 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 2: this twenty distance. I think the biggest one we did 385 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,639 Speaker 2: was a fifty kg in Beijing, and I'm really excited 386 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:21,720 Speaker 2: about this. I know, normally with normal lead ups, the longer, 387 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:24,800 Speaker 2: the harder, the grittier, the tougher are better for me. 388 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 2: But yeah, I'm really really excited to just see this 389 00:19:29,040 --> 00:19:31,439 Speaker 2: is for me personally. The cross country long is the 390 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 2: one I've been eyeing from the start of when the 391 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 2: long Courtina went to Paralympicans were announced and the twenty 392 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,920 Speaker 2: k was that because for me, that's the one race 393 00:19:40,960 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 2: that got away in twenty eighteen, I was on track 394 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:47,159 Speaker 2: to have an incredible Games, and I still did, but 395 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 2: it was with a broken elbows. So that was the 396 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,960 Speaker 2: one race that slipped away and I fought so hard 397 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:56,360 Speaker 2: for bronze medal, and in Beijing it was a silver, 398 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,920 Speaker 2: So that's the one. I really really would love to 399 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 2: get a golden, quite hungry for it. 400 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: Look out everybody. Okay, last question for you. You and 401 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:08,560 Speaker 1: your fiance Aaron, who's a fellow Paralympia, have said coffee 402 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:10,880 Speaker 1: is your love language. So what's the go to order 403 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 1: in Italy? And has it been living up to the 404 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,360 Speaker 1: hype so far? 405 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 2: And our rooms were starting. He makes me coffee every 406 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:21,080 Speaker 2: morning with our pour over aarrow press that we brought 407 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:24,399 Speaker 2: from home. And then cappuccinos. We are totally breaking the 408 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:28,119 Speaker 2: rules here and drinking cappuccinos and milk after noon that 409 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:30,400 Speaker 2: you're not supposed to do in Italy. And so that's 410 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:34,399 Speaker 2: really the order. The double cappuccinos or espresso machiatos with 411 00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 2: just a double shab of espresso with foam on top. 412 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:40,040 Speaker 1: Amazing. I have to say I didn't follow a single 413 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 1: rule in Italy for the Olympics. I was like combining 414 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:45,760 Speaker 1: hot chocolate and coffee and like putting sugar in things. 415 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: I feel like I left the chocolate good so good 416 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:51,639 Speaker 1: you need a sol ring to eat it, yes, but 417 00:20:51,720 --> 00:20:53,560 Speaker 1: if you put a couple of espresso shots. 418 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:55,680 Speaker 2: In there, I'm doing that. Next you haven't done that. 419 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:57,320 Speaker 1: But that's how you could treat yourself for your like 420 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:01,160 Speaker 1: eleventh gold. Congrats on everything, Thanks so much for making 421 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 1: some time for us, and good luck this weekend. 422 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 2: Thank you so so much. 423 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:08,840 Speaker 1: Thanks again to Oaksana for finding a little bit of 424 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:11,199 Speaker 1: time to chat with us. Also wanted to give you 425 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: one Paralympic PostScript. You'll recall that during our Olympic adventure, 426 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:19,600 Speaker 1: the mascot stuffies, both Olympic mascot Tina and Paralympic mascot Melo, 427 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:24,320 Speaker 1: were hot commodities, selling out quickly across Italy. Well after 428 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:26,679 Speaker 1: our interview with Oksano, we asked one of the USOPC 429 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,840 Speaker 1: folks who helped out with logistics whether games organizers had 430 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:33,639 Speaker 1: restocked between the Olympics and the Paralympics, and the answer 431 00:21:33,680 --> 00:21:37,080 Speaker 1: is no. Milo's and Tina's remain sold out, so much 432 00:21:37,119 --> 00:21:40,199 Speaker 1: so that each Paralympic athlete received a special ticket in 433 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:42,119 Speaker 1: order to claim their own Melo from the store in 434 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: the athlete village. And not a full size melo, just 435 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 1: a little keychain sized one. So if you want that 436 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 1: big old melo plushy, and let's be real, we all do, 437 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: you've only got one option, you got to win a 438 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:55,359 Speaker 1: Paralympic medal and be presented with one as part of 439 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 1: your victory ceremony celebration. Shout out to Oaksana if she 440 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 1: really capitalized on the melo market by winning lots of 441 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:04,680 Speaker 1: medals already she's got three and counting and apparently she's 442 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:06,879 Speaker 1: already given one of her melos to her coach's niece. 443 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 1: Must be nice to just have excess melos, Oaksana. We 444 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 1: have to take another break when we come back the 445 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 1: Boston and Denver history that they don't teach you in school. 446 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: Welcome Back Slaces in honor of Women's History Month. Every 447 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:29,240 Speaker 1: Friday this month, we're doing a special edition of take 448 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 1: It Back, our segment that looks back at legendary games, athletes, 449 00:22:32,880 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 1: or origin stories. In honor of the NWSL season kicking 450 00:22:36,359 --> 00:22:39,040 Speaker 1: off this weekend and the inaugural Boston Legacy and Denver 451 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: Summit Games. Let's take a little look back at the 452 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:46,000 Speaker 1: history of professional women's sports in Boston and Denver. Let's 453 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 1: start with Boston. The Boston Legacy are one of two 454 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:51,720 Speaker 1: new NWSL teams, but they're far from the first pro 455 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:54,760 Speaker 1: women's soccer team in Beantown. Let's take it back to 456 00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:57,400 Speaker 1: two thousand and one, when a pro women's soccer team 457 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:00,639 Speaker 1: called the Boston Breakers was the region's most prom women's 458 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:03,320 Speaker 1: pro team. They competed across a few different leagues as 459 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:06,600 Speaker 1: the national soccer landscape struggled to find stability. First, the 460 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:10,520 Speaker 1: Breakers were part of the Women's United Soccer Association WUSA, 461 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:13,200 Speaker 1: and when that folded, they joined the Women's Professional Soccer 462 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:16,959 Speaker 1: League WPSL. Then that league went under in twenty twelve, 463 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 1: but the Breakers held on, becoming one of the founding 464 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:23,000 Speaker 1: eight teams in the NWSL. They played their first NWSL 465 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:25,520 Speaker 1: game in the spring of twenty thirteen, with big names 466 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:28,639 Speaker 1: like Sidney LaRue and Alyssa Nayer on the roster. The 467 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,639 Speaker 1: Boston Breakers also gave current stars Rose Level and Midge 468 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:34,680 Speaker 1: Perce their start in pro soccer, but in twenty eighteen, 469 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:36,880 Speaker 1: the team called it quits just a few months before 470 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: the start of the season, and Boston has been without 471 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:42,080 Speaker 1: a pro women's soccer team ever since. The city has 472 00:23:42,119 --> 00:23:44,640 Speaker 1: had a number of other pro women's sports teams, though 473 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:46,760 Speaker 1: it's worth remembering that the word pro in some of 474 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 1: these cases has sometimes looked like athletes making just a 475 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:52,359 Speaker 1: couple thousand, or even just a couple hundred dollars a year, 476 00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:55,440 Speaker 1: and sometimes not earning any money at all. Starting in 477 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:58,479 Speaker 1: twenty fifteen, the tackle football team, the Boston Renegades, were 478 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:01,399 Speaker 1: a force in the women's national football making it to 479 00:24:01,480 --> 00:24:04,800 Speaker 1: seven national championships, winning five of them and getting three 480 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:08,280 Speaker 1: jerseys enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. 481 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:11,119 Speaker 1: The team folded in February of last year, though with 482 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 1: owner Molly Goodwin writing in a statement at the time 483 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 1: quote the current pay to play and volunteer model is 484 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:18,680 Speaker 1: no longer sustainable. To promote the growth of the sport, 485 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:21,960 Speaker 1: we need to secure additional investment, forge new partnerships, and 486 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:26,360 Speaker 1: capitalize on new opportunities end quote. Hockey fans in Boston 487 00:24:26,359 --> 00:24:28,520 Speaker 1: have also had some women's teams to root for. In 488 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:31,240 Speaker 1: twenty ten, the Canadian Women's Hockey League announced the Boston 489 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:34,879 Speaker 1: Blades as the league's first state side expansion team. They 490 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:37,399 Speaker 1: did well for a few seasons, but then in twenty fifteen, 491 00:24:37,480 --> 00:24:40,640 Speaker 1: the National Women's Hockey League later rebranded as the Premier 492 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:44,600 Speaker 1: Hockey Federation launched and it created its own Boston based team, 493 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:47,639 Speaker 1: the Boston Pride. All of the US national team players 494 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:50,119 Speaker 1: on the Blades ended up moving to the Pride, leaving 495 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:53,080 Speaker 1: the Blades to rebuild from the ground up, eventually causing 496 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:56,480 Speaker 1: them to leave Boston altogether. In twenty eighteen, the Boston 497 00:24:56,560 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: Pride picked up right where the Blades left off, though, 498 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:01,879 Speaker 1: with Hillary Knights scoring the first goal in franchise history. 499 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:04,960 Speaker 1: The NWHL was the first women's hockey league to pay 500 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:08,399 Speaker 1: its players. Those salary cuts, poor benefits, and distrust in 501 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 1: leadership eventually led hundreds of players to boycott the league 502 00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:14,720 Speaker 1: and form their own organization, which eventually led to the 503 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 1: launch of the PWHL. Boston was one of the original 504 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:20,480 Speaker 1: six teams when the PWHL launched in twenty twenty four, 505 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:23,560 Speaker 1: the Fleet falling in the finals of the inaugural championship 506 00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 1: and having a disappointing sophomore season, but now in the 507 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:28,760 Speaker 1: league's third season, the Fleet currently sit at the top 508 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:31,360 Speaker 1: of the standings. The past few years have been nothing 509 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:33,480 Speaker 1: short of a boon in the women's sports scene in Boston. 510 00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:36,359 Speaker 1: In twenty twenty five, the Women's Elite Rugby League started 511 00:25:36,359 --> 00:25:39,320 Speaker 1: with the Boston Banchees team, and the Women's Lacross League 512 00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:41,960 Speaker 1: also announced to Boston team the same year, the Boston 513 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:45,679 Speaker 1: Guard who won the inaugural wl Championship Series tournament and 514 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:48,600 Speaker 1: are now gearing up for their first official season, including 515 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: games in team markets, with Boston slated to host in August. 516 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:54,960 Speaker 1: And could there be a WNBA team on the horizon 517 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,720 Speaker 1: in Boston? While last summer, Celtics minority owner Steve Paliuca 518 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:01,840 Speaker 1: agreed to a record three hundred twenty five million dollar 519 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:04,879 Speaker 1: deal with the Mohegan Tribe, the first Native American tribal 520 00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: nation to own a pro sports team. The plan was 521 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:10,920 Speaker 1: to relocate the w's Connecticut Sun to Boston. The bid, 522 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: which was reportedly not presented to the WNBA Board of Governors, 523 00:26:14,920 --> 00:26:18,120 Speaker 1: stalled after the league effectively blocked the sale, but there's 524 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 1: still hope. The Boston Women's Basketball Partners Organization was formed 525 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty five with the intent of bringing a 526 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:27,760 Speaker 1: w team to Boston. So there's clearly a rich history 527 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:30,320 Speaker 1: of pro women's sports in Boston, and that's just a 528 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:33,560 Speaker 1: taste of it. Now in twenty twenty six, it's Boston 529 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:38,720 Speaker 1: Legacy FC's turn. Now let's head west to Denver, where 530 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:40,880 Speaker 1: we take it back to twenty nineteen when the Mile 531 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:43,119 Speaker 1: High City got a tackle football team in the Women's 532 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 1: National Football Conference, with the Denver Bandits playing their first 533 00:26:46,359 --> 00:26:49,720 Speaker 1: games that spring. They went on to make three playoff appearances, 534 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 1: but last summer the league shut down the Denver team 535 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:55,440 Speaker 1: following a review of the market. One women's team folded, 536 00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:59,120 Speaker 1: but another launched Women's Elite rugby arrived in Denver last year, 537 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:02,080 Speaker 1: with the Denver on a team that definitely needs a 538 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:06,160 Speaker 1: jewelry sponsor stat they do have some hardware already, though. 539 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:08,600 Speaker 1: The Onyx defeated the New York Exiles in a fifty 540 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,359 Speaker 1: three to thirteen victory last year to take the championship title. 541 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:14,119 Speaker 1: Their twenty twenty six season gets underway pretty soon, with 542 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:17,760 Speaker 1: games starting in early May. As for hockey, Denver never 543 00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:22,520 Speaker 1: had a CWHL, NWHL or PHF team, and they still 544 00:27:22,520 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 1: don't have a PWHL team, But Ball Arena, home of 545 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:29,560 Speaker 1: the mnba's Denver Nuggets in the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, has 546 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 1: hosted a few PWHL takeover tour stops and with impressive crowds, 547 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:36,840 Speaker 1: showing some real promise for the future, and as we mentioned, 548 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:38,840 Speaker 1: they've even got a game coming up this weekend with 549 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:41,520 Speaker 1: the Takeover Tour matchup of New York versus Minnesota March 550 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:45,800 Speaker 1: fifteenth at four pm Eastern. Now the Denver Summit is 551 00:27:45,920 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 1: entering the picture. Denver didn't participate in any of the 552 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:50,680 Speaker 1: now folded leagues that Austin was a part of throughout 553 00:27:50,680 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 1: the early two thousands, so the Summit are the city's 554 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 1: first pro women's soccer team. But what Denver lacks in 555 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:59,119 Speaker 1: past teams, they make up for in local talent. National 556 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:02,600 Speaker 1: team players May Swanson, Sophia Wilson, and Lindsay Heaps all 557 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:06,000 Speaker 1: hail from the outskirts of Colorado's capital, and Heaps announced 558 00:28:06,040 --> 00:28:08,240 Speaker 1: earlier this year she's signed with the Summit through twenty 559 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:10,639 Speaker 1: twenty nine. She'll joined the team at the completion of 560 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 1: her contract with Leon in July. Now, the history might 561 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:15,639 Speaker 1: not be long. We only have to take it back 562 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:18,160 Speaker 1: to twenty nineteen to see where Denver women's pro sports 563 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:21,240 Speaker 1: really started. But the over fifty thousand tickets sold for 564 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:23,600 Speaker 1: the Summit's home opener in a few weeks suggests the 565 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:27,119 Speaker 1: future is very bright. And as for our Boston and 566 00:28:27,160 --> 00:28:29,960 Speaker 1: Denver based slices, if you've got tales to tell of 567 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:32,840 Speaker 1: pre professional teams or leagues that deserve to be remembered 568 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:35,639 Speaker 1: or provided the foundation for the pro teams we see today, 569 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:38,080 Speaker 1: Send them our way. We love to hear about the 570 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:41,480 Speaker 1: roots of women's sports in cities across the country. Or 571 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:43,480 Speaker 1: if you just want to share your enthusiasm about the 572 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:45,880 Speaker 1: teams showing up now, we'd love to hear that too. 573 00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:49,200 Speaker 1: Like Slice Steph who wrote in to say, quote, Boston, 574 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:51,400 Speaker 1: Slice here getting ready for the Legacy of c home 575 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:54,200 Speaker 1: opener on Saturday. I never thought in my lifetime I 576 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,080 Speaker 1: would be going to professional women's sporting event, never mind 577 00:28:57,120 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 1: being a season ticket holder. I gave up my season 578 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 1: chair of Sox tickets twenty plus year run and our 579 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:05,360 Speaker 1: Broadway in Boston season to put my money where my 580 00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:08,240 Speaker 1: mouth is and support women in sports. It is especially 581 00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:10,400 Speaker 1: important that my son and daughter have the privilege to 582 00:29:10,400 --> 00:29:13,720 Speaker 1: witness this firsthand along with me and my wife, and 583 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:15,920 Speaker 1: we are headed to a Fleet game later this month. 584 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:18,840 Speaker 1: The explosion of professional women's sports is a bright spot 585 00:29:18,920 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 1: in rough times. End quote. We love that stuff. Thanks 586 00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:25,200 Speaker 1: for writing it. As for the rest of you, keep 587 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:28,280 Speaker 1: sending us your stories, but that's not your only Slice 588 00:29:28,280 --> 00:29:30,280 Speaker 1: work for the weekend. Because you know that we love 589 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:31,840 Speaker 1: your listening, but we always want you to get in 590 00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:33,840 Speaker 1: the game too, so here's our good game play of 591 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:36,800 Speaker 1: the day. Be sure to watch Oaksana compete this weekend, 592 00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:40,560 Speaker 1: especially during Sunday's historic cross country twenty k. That race 593 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:44,120 Speaker 1: gets underway at four am Eastern and streams live on Peacock, 594 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:46,680 Speaker 1: but you can always watch the replay later in the day. 595 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:49,320 Speaker 1: We love to hear from you, so hit us up 596 00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 1: on email good game at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave 597 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 1: us a voicemail at eight seven two two oh four 598 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:58,240 Speaker 1: fifty seventy and don't forget to subscribe. Rate and review. 599 00:29:58,560 --> 00:30:02,200 Speaker 1: I tell you every day it's real easy watch being 600 00:30:02,280 --> 00:30:06,120 Speaker 1: almost perfectly perfect in every single way, rating two of 601 00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:11,120 Speaker 1: two singular stars in stores review. The Yukon women's basketball 602 00:30:11,120 --> 00:30:13,880 Speaker 1: team has done any number of impressive things this season, 603 00:30:14,040 --> 00:30:16,560 Speaker 1: not the least of which is winning every single damn 604 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:19,560 Speaker 1: game they've played. But there are two stats that stand 605 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:21,920 Speaker 1: out among the sea of impressive numbers put up by 606 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:26,560 Speaker 1: gino Oriama squad. First, Azy Fud closing out a legendary 607 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:29,640 Speaker 1: career at the charity stripe. The Super Senior has missed 608 00:30:29,680 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 1: just ten free throws in her entire NCAA career, going 609 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:36,040 Speaker 1: one twenty for one point thirty in her five seasons 610 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:38,800 Speaker 1: with the Huskies and making her final season her most 611 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:42,240 Speaker 1: impressive full season yet, shooting ninety five point one percent 612 00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:46,200 Speaker 1: from the line. Meantime, superstar sophomore Sarah Strong almost did 613 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:49,240 Speaker 1: something that's never been done before in men's or women's 614 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:53,120 Speaker 1: college hoops the WNBA or the MNBA. Strong ended the 615 00:30:53,120 --> 00:30:56,640 Speaker 1: regular season shooting sixty percent from the field, forty two 616 00:30:56,680 --> 00:30:59,480 Speaker 1: point five percent on three pointers, and eighty eight point 617 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:02,720 Speaker 1: two percent on free throws. That's just shy of a 618 00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:07,000 Speaker 1: sixty forty ninety season. Only six women's collegiate players have 619 00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:10,440 Speaker 1: ever recorded a fifty forty ninety season, so for Strong 620 00:31:10,520 --> 00:31:13,000 Speaker 1: to be two made free throws off of a sixty 621 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:17,360 Speaker 1: forty ninety year just unreal. Now it's your turn, y'all 622 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:20,600 Speaker 1: rate and review, Thanks for listening, See you next week. 623 00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:24,240 Speaker 1: Good game, Oaksana, Good game Boston and Denver. Welcome to 624 00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:27,760 Speaker 1: the Big Show. You who ever submitted that original Melo 625 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:30,800 Speaker 1: and Tina order formed to the Plushy Factory, you forgot 626 00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:34,640 Speaker 1: a couple zeros. Good Game with Sarah Spain is an 627 00:31:34,680 --> 00:31:37,680 Speaker 1: iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports 628 00:31:37,680 --> 00:31:40,640 Speaker 1: and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, 629 00:31:40,720 --> 00:31:44,080 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Production by 630 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:47,800 Speaker 1: Wonder Media Network, our producers are alex Azzi and Bianca Hillier. 631 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:51,520 Speaker 1: Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan 632 00:31:51,560 --> 00:31:54,600 Speaker 1: and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rudder, Lucy Jones, 633 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:58,440 Speaker 1: Britney Martinez and Gianna Palmer. Production assistants from Avery Loftus 634 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:00,200 Speaker 1: and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain eight