We’ve made some changes to our Olympic Sports team here at Rock M, so let’s get to know the new (and old).
Greetings!
We started our Majority Rules podcast —aptly named for the Olympic Sports athletes that make up the majority of Mizzou’s student athlete population— last year and recorded 30 (!) episodes… and I coughed my way through approximately 20-25 of them (sorry about that).
Unfortunately, the crew can’t stay together forever, though, and people graduate —bye, Abigail — and move on to other endeavors, including other Rock M beats. Since I decided that beats would switch over on the arbitrary date of August 1, it seemed like as good of a time as any to re-introduce the crew, say some goodbyes (though they are always welcome back) and let you get to know the new faces!
I’ve divided the group into several self-explanatory categories.
Head Lady in Charge
Karen Steger
I’ve been gracing Rock M’s digital pages since August 2019 after starting as a volunteer editor. Besides reading everything submitted —well, almost everything (sometimes we put out too much content to keep up with)— I wrote some Links/Morning Commute posts a couple times a week for years. I added softball to my reporting after spending the 2021 Super Regionals out on the berm with my lawn chair, iPad and a beer, and I decided to make it press-box official for the 2022 season. In 2023, after attending a gymnastics meet, I formally added that to my beat, and I’m slowly wading (see what I did there?) back into swimming content as well, as I’m a swammer and former high school coach. Fun Fact— I’ve won two team state titles as a head coach!
I’m originally from StL (Florissant) and went to school at Mizzou before moving to Charlotte, NC to teach elementary/coach high school for eight years. I moved back to CoMo in the summer of 2012 and I’ve been working at the J-School as a project coordinator for around 3.5 years, and I also teach an online PR & image management course that’s catered towards student-athletes and hopeful influencers. I root for all St. Louis teams, the Chiefs (Nicky Bolts 4ever!!!), and a variety of NBA teams who feature Mizzou alums, as well as some who don’t (Celtics, Pacers, Lakers). I’m also massive women’s sports supporter and keep up with all things WNBA. I am a champion of the “little guy,” which is why I am so passionate about non-revenue Olympic sports at Mizzou and leading this team. When I’m not working, you can probably catch me at a Mizzou sporting event— I go to pretty much every football game and I have VB, WBB & MBB season tickets. I’m super excited about this crew and can’t wait to get started.
The Newbies
Sophie Silvers
Hey, everybody! My name is Sophie Silvers, and I will be a rising sophomore this year at Mizzou. I am one of the newest members at Rock M and will start my year writing about XC and finish off the year writing about Track & Field. During my freshman year, I co-wrote the cross-country beat for The Maneater, MU’s student-run newspaper. During the spring semester, I wrote multiple features for The Maneater on various club sports around campus and gained an understanding of the experiences of non-D1 athletes as well. I will continue writing for them as well this year.
Another place I like to call home away from MU is Los Angeles, California. I have lived there all of my life and chose to go to Mizzou because of the astounding opportunities and experiences I have had. Since high school, I have enjoyed writing about sports and started to follow in-depth the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ever since, I have been a die-hard fan. Throughout high school, I ran track & field and played softball, where I was able to find a passion for running and the tranquility it provides me. Sports have been a constant commodity in my life, and I cannot wait to cover Mizzou XC & Track & Field this year and tackle this wonderful opportunity!
Colin Simmons
Hello, everybody! I am Colin Simmons, and I am a rising sophomore at Mizzou. As it says, I am new to Rock M and I will get my start on the soccer beat. I will also be helping out a mentor of mine, Dylan Heinrich, come volleyball season. During my freshman year, I contributed to The Maneater (Mizzou’s student newspaper), covering soccer, volleyball, and men’s basketball. I will be an editor of its sports section this coming school year. This Summer, I have had the opportunity to intern with Brooklyn Nets On SI to round out my writing experience.
On the personal side of things, I am from Omaha, Nebraska (but I was raised a Missouri boy through and through). My parents met while studying at the University of Missouri’s Medical School and found their footing later in Nebraska. Being from a place with no professional sports teams, I identified with Missouri sports like the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. I am also a die-hard Indiana Pacers fan (Paul George was my favorite player growing up). I played sports throughout high school and still find comfort in shooting hoops or throwing a football around. I am excited to dive into Mizzou Soccer this fall and grow as a journalist and person this year!
The Old Heads
Dylan Heinrich
Howdy, everyone! My name is Dylan Heinrich, and I will be a rising junior this year. I started with Rock M in the spring of 2024, spending my first year covering soccer and women’s basketball (with a pinch of softball). This year I will still be the primary beat writer for women’s hoops, but I am making the move to volleyball this year! I have been a key contributor on the Majority Rules podcast, and can’t wait for year two with a some familiar (and new) faces! Olympic sports mean the world to me, as I have been covering them at the collegiate level for the past three years at Rock M, The Maneater (Mizzou student newspaper) and the Rocky Mountain Collegian (Colorado St. student newspaper).
Outside of writing Olympic Sports, I work for Mizzou Broadcast Operations as a camera operator, where I have gotten to work sports such as football, men’s basketball and baseball (writer’s note: You would not BELIEVE how cold it is at the top perch of Faurot Field). In addition, I am the new General Manager for Mizzou Student Media after spending two years as a member of MSM. Other fun facts is I’m originally from Fort Collins, Colorado; which means I am a big time Broncos, Nuggets and Avs fan. Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and I’m very excited to cover some of the most interesting teams Mizzou has to offer.
True Deck (only been here a couple months, but still…)
Hey, everybody! My name is True Deck and I am one of the newer members of Rock M Nation. I spend a lot of time doing football recruiting writing with Rock M+ but I also help out when I can around Rock M Nation. (editor’s note: and we are very thankful for that.) I’m headed into my senior year in the Mizzou J-School and have spent time at the Columbia Missourian covering high school sports and Mizzou softball. I’ll be continuing my softball coverage this spring with Rock M Nation, sharing the beat with Karen.
I grew up in Chesterfield, Missouri, a St. Louis Suburb. My dad raised me into a crazy sports fan and it’s something I hope to share with my future kids! I grew up playing soccer and had the opportunity to visit my favorite team, Liverpool, and meet the team’s star player when I was young. I’ve been a huge Liverpool fan ever since. Aside from soccer, I enjoy watching the St. Louis Blues, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers (my dad went to college in Wisconsin). I’m super excited to get back on the scene!
Back, Back, Back Again
Matthew Smith
Good day, Tiger fans! My name is Matthew Smith and I am currently covering the Mizzou Wrestling team once again for the coming season. I was previously on staff a couple years back in the same role. Prior to stepping in at Rock M, I was a freelance writer covering multiple sports within the Missouri border (Mizzou, Chiefs, Royals). During my brief stint away from Rock M, I continued to cover the wrestling program on a different platform (FloWrestling).
After stepping away from Flo to spend more time with my wife and two beautiful daughters, I decided it was time to get back on the scene and resume coverage of one of my favorite sports to cover and compete in. Getting another opportunity to write for Rock M is a blessing as this family is welcoming and provides a great circle to communicate among other talented journalists. Mizzou is a top tiered University and Tiger Style is once again on the rise. I look forward to providing news and coverage for all wrestling fans and am excited to get back to work!
Sweet Farewells (from Olympic Sports)
Matthew Gustafson
Hello again! My name is Matthew Gustafson and for the last two years, I’ve been the volleyball and wrestling beat writer at this site. This past season, I was also a baseball beat reporter and co-host of the Majority Rules podcast with many of our other Olympic sports writers. I also filled in on spring football coverage and a variety of other sports, and was the creator and host of the Over The Net and Tiger Style Explored interview series. I’m a Chicago native and diehard Cubs fan, and many of you might not know that baseball is actually my favorite sport. I’ve worked in the Frontier League (same league as the Gateway Grizzlies, for our St. Louis folks), an independent baseball league, for the past nine years and was the No. 2 broadcaster for the Washington Wild Things this summer. Rock M was my go-to site for Mizzou athletics news as I became interested in attending the J School, and going from a daily reader to a writer for the site has given me so many incredible opportunities and experiences. (Editor’s Fun Fact: I remember Matthew’s J-School visit quite vividly, and he was treated to lunch by me and the School’s finest sports journalists at the time, including Anthony Kristensen, Arkansas beat writer at Whole Hog Sports, and Chris Blake, Editorial Producer at MLB.
For our Olympic sports readers, you likely won’t see as much of me this year as I transition to my new role at the site: covering football and men’s basketball as a beat writer. I’m incredibly excited for the new role and the experiences it will add, and I hope to do the job justice. Thanks to everyone who has read, watched, or listened to me over these past two years, and I know we’ve got some fantastic new writers that will continue to give us the best Olympic sports coverage around! (Editor’s Note: I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t turn up on a Majority Rules podcast or two)
Rory Whetstone
Hey, everyone! My name is a Rory Whetstone, and I’ll be a rising senior this school year. I’m from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, and (just like Matthew) am a diehard Cubs fan – I’m not even kidding I was almost named after Kosuke Fukudome. I’m also a huge hockey nerd, obsessed with the Blackhawks and also the New York Islanders. Lastly, yes, I’m a struggling Chicago Bears fan. Based on all these interests, I’m sure it was quite easy to gather that I came to Mizzou for sports journalism. At school, I’ve been involved in a variety of outlets. I was a part of at Southeastern Fourteen (Sidenote; I got this gig thanks to Karen. Freshmen, my biggest piece of advice is to read those Canvas notifications of the “Weekly Opportunities”) covering football and men’s basketball. I also am a member of KCOU and have had a weekly show since sophomore year. Additionally, I recently joined Mizzou Club Hockey as their sideline reporter. Internship wise, I was at Marquee Sports Network two years ago in the programming department, and this year I landed a dream gig. This summer, I’m at MLB Network working in Production News/Assignment Desk, an absolute DREAM come true.
Even if I’m moving to a different side of Rock M, I’m still quite new to the family. I joined this past year to cover a wide range of Olympic sports and also to chime in on the Majority Rules podcast. This endeavor has allowed me to pour my thoughts into writing and grow in more ways than one. I truly think writing has made me a stronger, more well-rounded reporter. Moving to the football (and basketball) beat this year alongside Matthew is such a privilege, and I can’t wait to hit the ground running. I hope to bring the passion that Rock M has thoroughly supplied on this beat over the years. Being a sports reporter has been a goal of mine since I saw Erin Andrews on the TV when I was younger, and the staff here has been excellent in supporting me as a woman in sports. Well – I hope you’ll follow along with Matthew and I this football season, and continue to follow along with Olympic Sports and this wonderful group listed above!