Metro East Sports Podcast

This show kicks off with Coach Linda Ames, who is retiring after three decades as an educator at Granite City. Coach Ames' tenure at GCHS includes 22 years as the Head Girls Tennis Coach, and she discusses her athletic journey and her legacy as a Warrior. Next up, Fr. McGivney XC Coach Jim Helton is in the studio to be recognized as the 1A MESPY winners for Girls Team of the Year; Helton is jo...

Chad Opel is in the studio to present the latest Charitable Champion, Evan Wells of Roxana High School. Wells, fresh off the Shells' semi-final football finish, shares his passion for sports and academics. He talks about the unselfishness of the team, his lofty professional goals, and the motivation behind his success on the field and in the classroom. Next, Principia College Women's Tenni...

This episode begins with the MESPY winners for 2A Girls Golf Team of the Year, Coach Libby Koonce and her top player, Rachel Johnson from Edwardsville High School. The two go through what they'll remember from their terrific season which included the program's third consecutive Regional title. Next up, we talk with strongman competition organizers Regina and Lance Darr, who are producing t...

This episode was recorded at Bunker Hill High School. Featuring: School Board Member Julie Fulton and Head Boys Basketball Coach Joe Parmentier; Baseball and Bass Fishing Coach Brendan Magruder and Chase Butler ; Athletic Director, Tom Haynes ; Retired Coach James Hlafka ; Will Manar and Jack Wilcox ; E-Sports Coach Mitchell Brown ; and Girls Basketball Coach Tim Mellenthin . This show was recorde...

The Highland Bulldogs Girls Tennis Team is in the studio to kick off show 42! Coach Zach Plocher talks about his team's awesome MESPY-winning season, which included a conference co-championship and a Sectional Championship. He is joined by All-State singles player Ruthie Manor, and 1A MESPY winning Doubles Team of the Year Josie Wojcikiewicz and Sophia Fleming. The trio discuss playing for Coa...

This show kicks off with Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month, the Lincoln MS Girls XC Team. The team is represented in the studio by Coach Tschudy and runners Willow Jackson, Alli Merrick, and Mackenna Kerpan. Coach Tschudy discusses his passion for working with LMS students and athletes, and the girls talk about how much they love being on the team. Next up, Allie Jennings of Edwar...

The show begins with a preview of the IHSA round 2 football playoff games for the teams from the Metro East. Dave goes through the list of teams who won their first round, and he identifies all the second-round opponents and days and times. Then, the MESPY winner for 2A Boys Golfer of the Year, Jacob Florek of Mascoutah HS. Florek talks about his golf-loving family, and he discusses his goals for...

This episode is filled with high school athletic excellence beginning with the Suhre siblings who dominated the 1A golf scene this fall at Metro East Lutheran HS. Ryan wins the MESPY for 1A Golfer of the Year, and he and his brother Drew, led the Knights to the 1A Team MESPY as well. Ally wins the MESPY for 1A Female Golfer of the Year with her impressive state finish! Together, the trio discuss c...

Roxana Assistant Football Coach Jeff Ogle kicks off this show alongside star running back Andrew Ellis. The undefeated Shells are recognized as the Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month, and the duo discuss their hot start and lofty goals for the post season. Next up, Chad Opel is back to present the latest Charitable Champion, Jacob Kober of Metro East Lutheran HS. Kober, a three spo...

This spectacular show kicks off Bill Roseberry, who updates listeners on the Gallatin Awards including the upcoming Trivia Night on November 4 at Laux Brickhouse. Next, East St. Louis Boys Basketball Head Coach Mark Chambers brings Cal State Fullerton commit Davis Bynum to the studio. Chambers and Bynum review last season's 3rd place at state finish, and they preview the upcoming season. In th...

This show begins with the Cougar Corner with Keaton, as Associate Producer Keaton Anderson joins host Dave, and the two chat with XC and Track & Field star Roland Prenzler. Prenzler talks about his transition from Edwardsville High School to d1 SIUE and his goals for his last season as a Cougar. Then, soccer coaches Jay Robertson of Highland HS and Skip Birdsong of Althoff CHS, are next to dis...

Fall means football, and this episode begins with Dalton Brown and Jake Curry, two seniors on the undefeated Edwardsville Tigers Football Team. Brown, an interior linebacker, talks about having fun and being aggressive on the defensive side of the ball. Curry, one of the area's best quarterbacks, discusses leadership, his expectations for the remainder of the season, and his commitment to SIU...

This incredible show begins with professional bags competitor Brian Jones, who has been ranked as high as #4 nationally. In addition to a busy pro bags schedule, Jones is also the Head Boys and Girls Volleyball Coach at Bunker Hill High School. Jones shares his passion for coaching volleyball and throwing bags with the best in the world. Next up, Highland HS Girls Volleyball Head Coach Anna Murphy...

Highland HS Girls Tennis just captured the Andi Simpson Memorial Tennis Tournament. For this, they are the Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month. Coach Plocher is in the studio to accept the recogntion, and he brings with him star players Ruthie Manor and Josie Wojcikiewicz. Girls describe the physical and competitive practices, and Coach Plocher describes coaching in his hometown. Ne...

This episode kicks off with new Lewis and Clark C.C. Athletic Director Cody Zippmann, who explains his passion for his community and his excitement to lead the athletic department. Next, Highland XC Coach Joseph Shannon describes the running culture at Highland HS, and he talks about beginning his second year on the job. He is joined by junior runners Avery Brock and Payton Frey, who talk about wh...

In this Fantasy Football Special Edition, Dave brings "fantasy enthusiasts" Carry Bailey and Adam Koester into the studio to discuss all things fantasy football. The trio talk about league ettiquette, tips on how to win your league, and a position-by-position breakdown organized by tiers. If you're one of the millions of people playing fantasy football this season, you will definitel...

This show is all about passion! Brian Unger is the new Athletic Director at Freeburg HS, and he is excited about his new gig. Unger shares his vision for the school and the community, as he kicks off this show. Next up, host Dave Lipe, shares the studio with two of his favorite students, Hanna Matarelli and Owen Schoeneweis, both seniors at Edwardsville High School Schoeneweis discusses his LAX ca...

Leading off, Caryn Mefford of My Pocket CEO, a member of the Front Office Fiduciary Network, presents Nicole Johnson with the Charitable Champion Award for the Month of August. Johnson, 2A state golf champion from Edwardsville HS, explains what she's been working on this summer, her expectations for the fall at Middle Tennessee State, and she explains why she choose the Glen-Ed Pantry for her...

First, "the Pride of St. Louis Tennis," Gus Tettamble, discusses his tennis journey including his early beginning, his tough decision to quit basketball, winning state his senior season, and his redshirt year at University of Tulsa. Then, Tettamble and Dave review the Edwardsville Futures Pro Circuit Tennis Tournament, which concluded the day before. Dave outlines the event including the...

This special edition from the Wilbur Suhre Memorial at Oak Brook Golf Club begins with the proprietors, Larry and Mike Suhre. Larry explains the detailed history of the now-legendary course beginning with an offer from his father, Wilbur. Mike shares his memories growing up on the family course, and he talks about raising his family on the course making 4 generations of Suhres at Oak Brook. The tw...

A baseball special! Jim Thompson and Scott Warren, the hosts of the 618 High School Huddle podcast, kick off the show. Jeb Blasingame is in studio to recognize Thompson as the Keller Williams Marquee Coach of the Month for his decades of service to baseball, especially the Mon Clair League where Thompson manages the Belleville Rockies. Next up, McGivney baseball coach Chris Erwin is in the studio...

Keith Schmidt is passionate about LAX and the club he helps direct, Southern Illinois LAX. Schmidt details the evolution of his club, and he provides insight into the beginnings of his passion. Next, Chad Opel is in the studio to present the latest Charitable Champion, Brady Smallie of Granite City HS. Smallie describes earning letters in SIX different sports at GCHS, and he is joined in the studi...

Triad's boys tennis doubles team of Dillon Henderson and Marc Froidcouer earned the MESPY of 1A doubles team of the year. The two seniors kick off the show and share their memories of the team's memorable season, which included reaching the quarterfinals at state. Next, Amy Boscolo will begin her career as the Athletic Director at Edwardsville HS; she shares her excitement about her new po...

Our Show of Champions begins with Jim Cromer, who has championed the effort to build the "Sports Barn," the new home of the Gators Baseball Academy in Wood River. Cromer is excited to share the news regarding the inherent possibilities for the local sports landscape with the addition of this new facility. Next, 3A Girls Soccer State Champions, the O'Fallon Panthers, are represented i...

In this Father's Day Special Edition, we sit down with 4 fathers who have a close sports relationship with their sons. First, Madison HS Track Coach Tavares Young brings his 8-year old son Tylor in the studio. Tylor talks about his favorite pro athletes and all the sports he plays; dad talks about his son's natural talent and the great things going on in Madison. Next, Civic Memorial Head...