Connor Hull is a senior Accounting major on the Jewell track and field team. The Hilltop Monitor interviewed Hull as part of a series featuring senior athletes at Jewell.

THM: What was going through your head when you recently broke the 200 meter school record at CMU this past weekend?

So I was in line 8 and everyone in the heat was faster than me. So all I was thinking about was that I had to go because I was terrified that they were going to catch me on the curve and that would have been embarrassing because it was a short curve. But no, I just gave him my all. The track was giving out, so I felt a little divot in it, but you know, it was a fun race. 20.3 easy, so… happy to PR.

THM: What’s your main (favorite) event in track?

Sadly, my main event is the 400. I love it. I hate it. It’s the best and the worst at the same time. It’s always super tiring. It was always nerve-wracking, but it’s always good to run fast in it. I don’t know. I respect it the most.

THM: When you broke the 200m school record, how did it feel to run that PR? Is that something you had been working toward for a long time, or did it come naturally with your training?

It kind of came along. You know, I had a plateau, you know, for the past 2 years. That was always annoying. But, no, the new training, I guess, has been helping a lot. I mean, I PR half a second since last year in the 200. I mean, I was excited that I PR’d. I’m a little disappointed, you know, because I still lost by quite a bit. in the race. But, you know, also have, you know, next week to do better. So, you know, I’m so happy that I broke the record because I didn’t even know what the time was, so… It’s kind of neat when coach told me.

THM: During indoor season, you also ran a new PR in the 400 and broke the school record. What were your thoughts on that race?

That one was… Oh, where was that at? I’m trying to like picture it. Oh, it was Northwest. At that, what was it, a Thursday meeting? Yeah, and I was so pissed off that we had to go to a meet on Thursday. And I was like, you know, we’re just gonna run. not going to be good or anything. And I mean, I just got out there and started running and I PRd. I didn’t really have any hopes to run fast at all. I don’t know. I was more surprised that I ran that fast, so many things. I don’t know. I was just like, we had to go, so it’s just…I was just kind of disappointed. But, you know, I was happy to PR.

THM: After being named GLVC Freshman Athlete of the Year during indoor season, it seems like you’re having a strong comeback now—what changes have you made in your training, and what do you think has contributed to your recent record-breaking performances?

Part of it, you know, is like the training changes up, so I think I’m adapting to like how the training’s going. But the other part is I’m a senior. This is, like, the last time I’m gonna be competing in college, so if I don’t do good in that, it’s gonna stay like that forever. That’s one of those times, like, I don’t want to end off on a bad time or anything. I want it to look good. I want to leave. I don’t look like I, you know, I just, like, ran 48s all year, and, like, didn’t get better throughout my 4 years of college. So it’s kind of motivation to not be worse than my freshman year yourself.

THM: What keeps you motivated to keep pushing your limits on the track?

Honestly, to not let the coaches down. It’s always, you know, like, you get into, like, almost like a lull with some coaches, like Coach Walker, you know, you, like, kind of, like, stop pushing us as hard and everything. So like when you get a new coach, you know, you don’t want to disappoint them and everything. Yeah. So there’s always that in the back of your head. Like, you don’t want to, you know, do bad every week when they have high hopes for you, but, I mean, the other one, the motivation is just, you know, I just want to be better. I don’t want to lose to [first-years] anymore. We’ve got a month left of school and everything, and I just want to give it my all. You know, I’m not gonna be doing it as hard again for a while, so… It’s my last chance.

THM: What is one piece of advice you would give to other athletes at Jewell or elsewhere, and what advice would you give to your younger freshman self?

Just stay focused. It’s difficult to balance school and sports at the same time, but I don’t know. If you just love the sport that you do, it’s pretty easy. Just, you know, you just have to do everything that you’re supposed to, you know, go to practice on time, lift, do everything you’re supposed to do. Recover, get 8 hours of sleep, and all that. You know, because you if don’t get enough sleep, you know, you kind of look like you got bed head, and you do really bad. But yeah, uh, I don’t know. I guess the biggest thing is, uh, it’s not my coach is, uh, to stay hydrated and get sleep. Take care of your body.

THM: You heard it here. Connor Hull.

Thank you. Appreciate it.

This interview was edited for brevity and flow.

This article originally appeared in a print edition of the Monitor published 27 February 2026.

Toryn Podschwit (#1) is a senior Communications major who plays attack for the Jewell women’s lacrosse squad. The Hilltop Monitor interviewed Podschwit as part of a series featuring senior athletes at Jewell.

THM: What got you into lacrosse?

Podschwit: I played volleyball for my whole life, and was out of that phase [by] my sophomore year of high school. And so I had one of my older friends say, “Well, you should join the lacrosse club!” I just randomly joined, and it became my favorite thing ever, very fast.

What brought you to WJC?

I was with Kallie Muck [former head lacrosse coach]. I was the first ever recruit for Jewell lacrosse and the first commit, and was the first ever to score a goal in Jewell lacrosse history. I followed [Muck] to St. Mary’s, and then she got the job here and created the program. So I ended up coming here my freshman year.

Tell me more about your team culture.

Our culture is really, really amazing. It’s like a family. And even if we do bicker, it’s definitely sister vibes. There’s no hard feelings ever. The culture we’ve developed is very unique and one of a kind!

As one of the first on, how has it been bringing up that team culture?

In the beginning, we were really nervous; it was very easy to have the twelve girls you knew and no outsider stuff. When that first class [of recruits] came in, we were really nervous to see the new blood, but they turned out to be my best friends ever. Each person we’ve added has brought their own uniqueness to the culture, and it’s been amazing. Now it’s just excitement to see what everyone can add.

How do you prepare for a game?

I wake up, I have to go get my coffee and my breakfast burrito or an energy drink… (And your go-to coffee?) Hammerhand, so either an iced caramel macchiato or a vanilla iced latte—lover Hammerhand, and a breakfast burrito from La Puerta [?] on the corner, with extra hot sauce. Then I come to the training room, get my shins wrapped & knees done, hit some wall ball, do some shots on the field. [The team goes] to the locker room and we dance and we sing and we get all hyped up in there. It’s awesome.

Who on your team has it been good to see grow?

Faith Bowles (#2), she’s my little baby. She came in and I was nervous because we both wanted to be each other’s friend, but we slowly became best friends; we’re very similar. She used to be shy, and now she knows what she wants, she’s outspoken and she’s very confident in herself. So it’s very fun to see her on and off the field as my best friend.

What’s next after Jewell?

My plans after Jewell are to begin my career as a clinical navigator for a rehabilitation center. 

What else do you want the Monitor to know?

I would like the Hilltop to know that WJ LAX does not deserve the Yik Yak hate, and that we’re actually fun and awesome. I love being at Jewell and have been for four years. It’s a great spot because it’s small, but I can also be myself and have people who love me for me.

Toryn, thanks for your time.
This interview underwent minor edits for brevity and flow. If you know a student athlete the Monitor should interview, talk to us at hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/contact-us.

Photo by William Jewell College via LinkedIn.

Over the weekend of March 14, the William Jewell Speech and Debate team competed at the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence  (NPTE)and became the new national champions. Third years, Patrick Terry and Trent Dixon, spent the academic year competing against some of the most renowned debate teams in the country. For Terry and Dixon, their previous summer was filled with preparing to compete against the country’s best and they walked away as the first William Jewell National Champions since 2007. Both will be returning to the team next year as seniors and are hoping to look at an undefeated season. 

“We are hoping to maintain our NPTE championship,” Terry said.

They are wanting to make the community of debate more welcoming . Parliamentary is an impromptu style of debate that gives the competitor 30 minutes to prepare for the entire round. Once the round begins, the teams aren’t allowed to engage in research or search through their files. Therefore, the competitors have to be prepared for any possible outcome. This skill set can take months to years to master, and many debaters can still struggle with this version of the event. As stressful as this may seem for those just starting, Terry explained that the upperclassmen are always ready to help. 

“We love coaching just as much as competing,” Terry said. “It helps build a spirit of success.” 

With the season now at a close, the duo is now looking forward and focusing on what is to come. They have already started to concentrate more effort into the team building and structuring it for next year. William Jewell is continuing to find ways to support its students with the resources they need but the team’s passion has never stemmed from obtaining money. Terry described their feelings for debate as a “love for the game” and something that he wants to grow more in the upcoming months. 

“We have a dedicated team and a great staff,” Terry said.“It’s a great way to build a community.” 

As the team known as Jewell DT, or team Dixon and Terry, goes into its last year at the college, debate teams all across the country are ready to see what they accomplish next. With a winning streak hot on their heels, Terry and Dixon are excited to see what comes next for their debate careers. 

“We are hoping for an undefeated season next year,” Terry reiterated “That would be the dream.” 
The team plans to hold on to their coveted title earned with unwavering dedication in the year to come. With this spotlight being shone on the William Jewell Debate Team, the hope is that they can continue to grow and high school students will continue to come after hearing about the program. Head coach, Mason Remaley, will continue to lead the team next year and, through the dedication of Terry and Dixon, the college is able to add another national championship under its belt and expand its horizons once again.