Luca Madeo | NAIA Champion, European U23 Contender & Cumberlands Star | Airey Bros Radio Ep 355

In this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we sit down with Luca Madeo, 4x NAIA All-American, 2025 NAIA Indoor 5K National Champion, and one of the fastest rising stars in college distance running. Hailing from Böden-Württemberg, Germany, Luca shares his incredible journey from soccer player to elite runner, why he chose the University of the Cumberlands, and how he’s chasing European U23 standards — all within just four years of competitive running.🔥 Topics we cover:

• How COVID-19 unexpectedly launched Luca’s running career
  
  
• What it’s like transitioning from Germany to Kentucky
  
  
• Inside the NAIA national scene + facing NCAA recruiting attention
  
  
• The science behind the Norwegian double-threshold method
  
  
• Training mindset, diet, discipline, and dreams of going pro
  
  

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, recruiter, or just love an underdog story, you’ll be inspired by Luca’s relentless drive, gratitude, and success.⚡ Subscribe, rate & share — every download helps us spotlight athletes and programs flying under the radar!👉 Follow University of the Cumberlands Track & XC on Instagram: @ucpatriotstfxc
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⏱ Show Notes / Time Stamps
00:00 — Intro: Spotlight on NAIA, DII, and overlooked programs
02:00 — Luca’s journey: From German soccer to elite runner
08:00 — Adjusting to life in Kentucky & American college athletics
15:00 — Winning the 2025 NAIA Indoor 5K National Championship
22:00 — Breaking German U23 standards & European selection goals
30:00 — Inside training: Norwegian double threshold + lactate testing
38:00 — Balancing academics, athletics, and international life
45:00 — Comparing U.S. vs European sports systems & opportunities
52:00 — NCAA transfer portal pressures + D1 recruitment attention
58:00 — Mindset, faith, gratitude, and long-term running goals
1:03:00 — Final words: Luca’s advice to international athletes