Metro East Sports Podcast

Show 5.21 kicks off with another visit from retired sports journalist/icon Steve Porter, who is in studio to talk about two upcoming projects he holds dear to heart: the IBCA golf scramble and the STL Sports Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Porter details the good work done by the IBCA including their upcoming fundraising event, which is meant to help create a physical home for their association i...

Show 5.20 begins with Edwardsville High School ultimate frisbee team captains Elijah Hawk and Jesse Zawitkowski. The duo shares what they love about the sport and a few highlights from their career and season. The boys also discuss their plans for next year and how they got started in the sport. Next up, O'Fallon Boys Bowling Coach Mike Imes has won 14 consecutive SWC championships, and the Pa...

This show features all MESPY winners! The Collinsville Kahoks Girls Bowling Team finished 4th in state leading the metro-east, and they kick off the show as our Girls Bowling Team of the Year! Coach Sean Hay is joined by three of his star bowlers: Livia Montgomery, Laila Jaoko, and Kellen Stephens. Coach Hay details the recent success of the SWC champs, and the girls describe what they love about...

All MESPY winners in this show, which begins with 1A Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Lauren Flowers and her Coach Brian Madson of Carrollton HS. Flowers led the Lady Hawks in nearly every category, and the 3-sport star describes her game on the hardwood, and her goals for her senior season and beyond. Madson describes taking the job just as the season beginning, and he talks about what Flower...

This episode begins with the Extreme Softball Director, Jessica Schmittling. Schmittling talks about growing up with four siblings and the role the softball diamond played in her childhood, and she discusses being a Lancer in high school and playing for Coach Rita Menke. What she does on a daily basis is described, and she reveals what she loves most about her sport. Next up, the MESPY winners for...

This show begins with Caryn Mefford of My Pocket CEO in the studio to present the latest Charitable Champion, Devin Habermehl of Collinsville HS. Habermehl, a football and track standout for the Kahoks, was nominated by track coach, Chard Burgess. An honor student who serves his community, Habermehl chose "Kids for Christ" to receive his $500 donation from Front Office Fiduciary Network...

This show begins with LEGENDARY retired Civic Memorial Boys Soccer Head Coach Don Woeffel. Coach Woeffel shares stories from the program he began in 1977. He talks about the advice he'd give young coaches, and he talks about serving on the Bethalto school board as a retired teacher. Next up, "masters division" track athlete Mike Young, discusses competing on a world class level at 62...

Eric Scroggins kicks off episode 14 to talk about his incredible career as a three-sport athlete at Roxana HS and his current position as Marketing Director for Heaterz Chicken! Dave calls it the "best chicken sandwich" he's ever had, and Scroggins discusses their desire to work with local sports teams and events to raise funds for their respective programs. Next up Belleville West g...

This show begins with the MESPY winner for 1A Boys XC Runner of the Year, Hunter Ponce, who is joined by his coach, Ben Scamihorn. Ponce reflects on his state-qualifying season and talks about leading the Shells. Scamihorn talks about building the program to reflect his lofty goals in just his second year as head coach. Next up, we check out the local boxing scene as manager and coach Tyler Woodar...

The show begins with the MESPY winners for 4A Football Team of the Year, Breese Central, represented by Coach Brian Short and star safety and wide receiver Griffen Becker. Short describes the culture at Central and the keys to his program's success; Becker describes what he loves about football and his busy schedule at Central HS. Next up, Edwardsville HS Swim Coach Christian Rhoten is in the...

This episode begins with another visit from the ever-energetic Cougar Women's Basketball Head Coach Sam Quigley Smith, who brings her sensational freshman Ava Stoller from St. Petersburg, Florida. Coach Sam describes the Cougars' recent season, and Stoller, a former soccer and football star--yes, she played quarterback--describes why she chose to come to SIUE. Next up, Edwardsville High Sc...

This show kicks off with motocross rider, team owner, and coach, Jake Pauli. Pauli is back in the studio to discuss the growth of his team, the daily preparation necessary to compete at a world-class level, and the injury which nearly ended his career. Next up, the undefeated Highland Bulldogs Baseball team are recognized as Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month. The "dogs"...

This show is all about the coaches! Marion High School Boys Tennis Coach Joe Pearce joins the show remotely to talk about winning the JD Miller Sportsmanship Award at the Edwardsville Invitational last weekend. Pearce, a first-year coach, talks about creating a culture of family and respect with the Wildcats. He is joined by Assistant Coach Bruce Myers and his two team captains, who talk about pla...

The Alton Redbirds Girls Basketball team is represented in the studio in the first slot, as Coach Deserea Howard makes her first appearance on the show, and she is joined by star players Jarius Powers and Kyoko Proctor. Coach Howard talks about all the things that made this team special, and how giving birth just two weeks before the season wasn't going to get in the way of another Redbird hoo...

This episode begins with a visit from one of our great partners, Don Viviano, of Viviano Heating and Cooling. A life-long resident of the Metro-East, Viviano shares his passion for providing the best service to his HVAC customers in the Metro East. Next up, Dalton Brown, football and track & field athlete at Edwardsville High School, is the latest Charitable Champion presented by Front Office...

Award winners only in this show! This episode begins with the MESPY winners for 5A Football Team of the Year, the Highland Bulldogs, who are represented by Head Coach Jim Warnecke and players Ethan Greenwald and Ashton Zobrist. Warnecke explains his philosophy: "players win games, not plays," and his returning captains talk about the secret to their success--toughness and intelligence on...

This episode features hometown heroes and a former world champion trying to make a difference in the lives of others. Edwardsville HS Hockey Coach Jason Walker is in the studio to accept the MESPY for Hockey Team of the Year. He is joined by his goalie Kai Vetter, who earned the MESPY for Player of the Year. The two discuss their championship season, which included raising $40k for Hockey Fights C...

Edwardsville High School finished 2nd in the "large school" division this season. This was a program-high for the Tigers, and in the studio to discuss their MESPY-winning season are Maia Rowe and Bella Hartman. The two seniors talk about what attracted them to the sport and what they'll remember from their careers at EHS. Next, Triad Boys Soccer Coach Jim Jackson is back in the studi...

This show begins with the MESPY for 2A Wrestler of the Year and state champion, Bryce Griffin of Civic Memorial HS. Griffin details his thoughts going into his final high school match, what attracted him to the sport, and why he chose to continue wrestling at Davidson University next year. He is joined by his coach, Jeremy Christesen, who discusses "chasing the losses" and the culture of...

This show boasts a new record for MOST guests--10! Caryn Mefford of My Pocket CEO begins the show, as she presents the Charitable Champion Award for February to Grace Maxfield of Granite City HS. Maxfield is a leader in the classroom and on the cheer team at GCHS, and she chose Chain of Hope as her charity of choice. Mefford shares some good advice for the senior as she plans her next step, which...

In this first episode of Season 5, Civic Memorial's longest-tenured Coach, Derek Jarman, and new Head Football and current Head Baseball Coach, Nick Smith, are in the studio to talk about the big changes on the horizon for their school. Jarman talks about taking over as Athletic Director in the 25-26 year, and Smith discusses his new gig leading the Eagles on the gridiron. They share their vis...

Our last show of year 4 is a BIG one! The Covington women begin the show to speak about their upcoming event in conjunction with the National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Arlene shares her journey beginning about 50 years ago when women had limited opportunities to enjoy sports, and her daughters, Anya and Aaliyah, share insight into their careers, which included noteworthy careers at Edwardsv...

Steve Porter is back to discuss the upcoming St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony featuring Metro East inductees. Porter details the upcoming event, and he breaks down the local prep scene this winter. Next, Edwardsville HS XC Coach George Patrylak is back in the studio. The Tigers are the MESPY winners for 3A Girls XC Team of the Year. Patrylak is joined by his top runner, Madison Pop...

Edwardsville HS Head Football Coach Kelsey Pickering led the Tigers to the IHSA Quarterfinals in just his first year as the HC. Coach "Pick" shares how the experience met his expectations and a few of the many positive memories he has from his team's remarkable MESPY-winning season. He is joined by his All-State QB Jake Curry, who wins the MESPY for 8A Football Player of the Year. Th...

This is a Kahok special edition recorded in the heart of Collinsville at the Old Herald Brewery and Distillery. The first guest is the man who founded the Old Herald, Derik Reiser. Reiser shares his passion for distilling and "bringing something cool" to the downtown Collinsville area. Next up, Kahok Athletic Director Clay Smith discusses all the great energy surrounding Purple Nation an...