Luister naar Metro East Sports Podcast

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 Popelar, who shares her thoughts on her team's finish, and the sophomore discusses her goals for the future. Last, Roxana HS Football HC Wade DeVries joins the show with his outstanding linebacker/running back, James Herring. DeVries shares his thoughts on the Shells' MESPY-winning season, which included a trip to the semi-finals. Herring talks about the season, his post-high school plans, and his wrestling career, which includes 100 wins!

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. The SIU commit shares his thoughts on the season, and he talks about why he choose the Salukis. Next up, the Wetheringtons, Chris and Valerie, are in studio to discuss their martial arts journey which includes, but is not limited to, book writing, television show production, and "concierge service" for his training. Finally, sports photographer extraordinaire, Paul Baillargeon, is back to talk about his recent experience shooting SEC football at his alma mater including a first-time trip to the Cotton Bowl.

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 and the special nature of guiding the sports programs in his hometown. Then, Head Football Coach Colton Rhodes and quarterback Darren Pennell join the show to accept their MESPY Awards for 7A Team and Individual Player of the Year. Rhodes describes his leadership philosophy, and Pennell, a McKendree commit, talks about making the change from WR to QB just one month before the season. Then, the top tennis player on the Kahok squad, Carter Marlin, stops by to talk about the challenge of playing #1, his goals for the future, and his musical background. Marlin is followed by the three senior leaders on the Collinsville Boys Basketball Team: Nick Horras, Zach Chambers, and Jamorie Wysinger. The 3 hoop stars discuss their team's undefeated start (12-0), the strength of their squad, playing for Coach Lee, the upcoming Holiday Classic Tournament, and their lofty goals for the remainder of the season. Finally, Boys Hoops Coach Darin Lee is joined by his daughter Dani, a tennis player at CHS, who just wrapped up her career on the courts. Coach talks about the style of his team and watching his daughter play tennis; Dani describes her emotions watching her dad's teams play along with her plans for the future.

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 joined by his top runner, Elena Rybak, 1A XC Runner of the Year MESPY winner, who discusses her team's incredible season and goals for future. We keep talking XC, as Civic Memorial Coach Jake Peal is back again to accept the MESPY for 2A Boys Team of the Year. Peal is joined by 2A Runner of the Year MESPY Winner, Max Weber. Weber describes his love for the sport, and he talks about narrowly beating his coach in the Great River Road Race. Last, Dr. Athur Langston joins the show to recognize our latest Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month: The Triad Knights state-qualifying football team. The Knights are represented by first-year coach Calvin Potthast and MESPY winner for 5A Football Player of the Year, All-state offensive lineman, Lane Mahnesmith. Mahnesmith discusses his future at Northern IL University, and Potthast talks about coaching the 6' 7" phenom.

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 Tennis Coach Shannon Carney is the "greatest" tennis player in the Metro East for her age division, and she is in the studio to talk about winning national championships as a player, and she shares her love for her team and her school. She tells local tennis girls why they should consider Principia after describing her personal tennis journey, which began in SoCal including time on the team at UCLA. Last up, McGivney Girls Golf Coach Steve Finn is in the studio to discuss the Griffin's excellent season, as he accepts the MESPY for 1A Team of the Year. Finn is joined by top golfer, Sarah Hyten; the sensational sophomore talks about finishing in the top 10 at state individually and as a team, her goals for the next two years and beyond, and what she loves about being on the team at Father McGivney.