By Michael Pineda
mpineda@cherryroad.com
Editor’s note – This is the second of a two-part feature on Larissa Holquin and her podcast Sooner Girl Sports Pod
Since beginning the podcast, Sooner Girl Sports Pod in January, the world of OU athletics has opened up to Larissa Holquin.
Holquin has reached out to a large number of people to be guests on her podcast, which goes live each Wednesday. The most listened-to podcast featured Sarah Roberts, who is the FCA Chaplain for the OU softball team. Holquin said she met Roberts when both she and her husband Eric were involved with the FCA at Dickson.
“I just reached out to her because I knew she did all the softball stuff and said, ‘Hey, you want to come on my podcase,’ and she said sure,” Holquin said. “It has been really cool because I have thought of connections I have made over the years.”
Another notable guest was Brianna Howard, who is a member of OU’s RUF/NEK Lil’ Sis program. This year, Hoards became the first female Native American Sooner Schooner driver. Howard is also the cousin of Ardmore resident Tammy Douglas.
“Those people that I talk to have very unique stories,” Holquin said. “No one ever thinks about who is in the mascot and what goes on behind the scenes. Also, I talked to Carly Murray, which is actually Kyler’s cousin. She works for Sooner Sports Properties, which is a media company. She is also a sideline reporter for baseball.”
Holquin also enjoyed having Caitlin Fornier, who is the Director of Fan Engagement and Community Services, on her podcast. Fornier does a lot of the behind the scenes work for football games and other OU sporting events.
“What was really cool talking to her is all the stuff about gameday that you don’t think about like the flyover,” Holquin said. “Just the timing of everything, the music, when the video comes on. When the flames go up and the teams run out. It is a production, and that is her. She is behind all of it.
“Just hearing her talk about all the production and how she makes it happen was just really cool.”
Over the course of the year, Holquin said she has been able to develop clout with the guests she has had. She also feels that the podcast has improved as she has gained experience. At first, it could be difficult talking to herself on the computer for segments such as headlines of the week.
“That was really weird for me at first, but I feel like I have gotten really better at it,” she said. “More comfortable I guess, too, it just takes time. I am very thankful that I have not talked to anybody that is a jerk. Everybody has been so kind.”
The interview process has also allowed Holquin to expand her comfort zone. Of the 35 guests that have been on the podcast, she only previously knew a handful.
“This is my passion, I love talking about sports and I love hearing people’s stories, and now I am just formatting it so people can benefit from the story too,” Holquin said. “I’m just glad to know that people are. It has really grown quicker than I thought it would.”
The success of the podcast has brought reason to celebrate. Holquin said she is planning a one-year celebration on Feb. 5 in Norman at Coaches Corner Restaurant, which is co-owned by former OU football player Corey Wilson. She met Wilson and his wife and after telling them about the podcast, was invited to do the one-year celebration at the restaurant.
“I just think it is important,” she said. “I just want to do it in Norman because obviously that is where my focal point is. And I want to invite people that have been on my show, coaches and athletes.”
Holquin has also met the guys behind Horns Down alcohol. They are in the process of creating a Sooner Girl drink for the anniversary party.
In the meantime, Episode 40 dropped today and features former OU player Ryan Broyles. Holquin said her tagline for the podcast is, “On Wednesdays, we talk sports,” which is in reference to from the movie Mean Girls. Downloads usually go live at 6:30 to 7 a.m. each Wednesday for the podcast, which is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and Substack.
While her father was an OU fan, Holquin’s husband Eric is an OSU grad. And while he may wear a Sooner Girl Sports Pod shirt, it is more likely to be a color other than OU’s. She said the podcast has added another dimension to their lives and he has been super supportive.
The podcast also serves as a way to stay close to the memory of her father and the times they spent watching OU sports.
“I have had so many people say, ‘Your dad would be so proud of you,’” she said. “My dad passed away in 2004 for pancreatic cancer and my mom actually has since passed away. She passed away in 2021. I am an only child, and it is cool to see people that knew my family and knew my dad. They say he would think this is the coolest thing ever and he would be so proud.
“That is cool to me because I just feel like everything I am doing, he would be right behind me. He would be following me and living vicariously and enjoying all the things. I always wish he was still here to go to this game.”
