Metro East Sports Podcast The Metro East Sports Podcast

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 Panthers finished 6th at state this year. Coach Imes is back to discuss all things bowling and accept the MESPY for boys bowling team of the year.

Rounding out the show, Coach Dennis Rueter led the Gibault boys basketball team to another stellar season, earning another MESPY. Coach Rueter is back to describe his coaching philosophy and how his style has evolved over 44 of coaching at Gibault. He is joined by 1A Player of the Year, Kanan Augustine, who talks about his style as a player, playing for Coach Rueter, the daily practice schedule, and his potential plans for next year.

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 the sport and how complicated it is.

Next up, we are joined by the 3A Wrestling Team of the Year, the Edwardsville Tigers, represented by Coach Eric Pretto and state-qualifier and captain, Blake Mink. Pretto describes the season and the transition as first-year Head Coach. Mink talks about starting the sport in just second grade and what he'll remember from the season.

Finally, we recognize the 2A Boys Basketball Team and Player of the Year. Breese Central Coach Jeremy Schubert led the Cougars to the Sweet 16. The team was led by his son Mason, an All-State point guard. Mason talks about playing soccer, basketball, and track at Central, along with his plans for next year, which include "walking on" at Murray State. Coach Schubert describes "Central culture," and how the teachers, community, and kids are buying in to create an optimum environment for the kids.

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 Flowers means to the program as a player and a leader in his program.

Next up, we talk tennis with 2A Singles Player of the Year MESPY winner Colton Hulme and 1/2 of the Doubles Team of the Year, Jesse Hattrup, both of Edwardsville HS. Hulme looks back over his career and shares what he'll miss about being a Tiger; Hattrup talks about focusing on doubles this year with his partner, Jade Dynamic. The two boys also describe the adventures this team took and the immense improvement they saw in their teammates.

Finally, the MESPY for 3A Boys Basketball Team of the Year goes to the East St. Louis Flyers. The Flyers are represented in the studio by Coach Mark Chambers. Coach Chambers describes his "disciplinarian" style, how kids have changed, and competing the always-tough SWC. After Coach Chambers talks all things Flyers Hoops, he is joined in the studio by his daughter, O'Fallon tennis player, Morgyn Chambers. Dad describes the emotions he feels watching Morgyn play, and he talks about getting her started in the sport. Morgyn shares her fondest memory from last year--a come from behind dramatic victory over Edwardsville to secure the Panthers' victory--and she talks about her goals for her senior season and beyond.

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 4A Basketball Team of the Year, the Belleville West Maroons are in the house to talk about their challenging regular season, which resulted in a dramatic and successful post-season run. Coach Schobert talks about the turning point in the season, and Jordan Lacey and Daylen Byrd describe being down "20 points to Belleville East" in the first round of the Regional, and what went down at halftime which sparked a one-point comeback victory. The guys also talk about their thrilling second round win over SWC Champions, the Kahoks.

Finally, Jenny and Doug Mennerick are in the studio to share their thoughts on growing up playing and coaching tennis in the Soutwestern Conference. Jenny (Belleville West Head Girls and Assistant Boys) and Doug (O'Fallon THS Head Boys and Assistant Girls) speak fondly of their days playing at OTHS and McKendree following in the footsteps of their older brother Greg. Jenny discusses what she learned from Coach Bob Keefe, legendary BW tennis coach, and both discuss what it takes to build a successful program and what they love about the game.

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 on his behalf. Habermehl described what he is proud of from his most recent track season, and he discusses the leadership style of Kahok Head Football Coach Colton Rhodes along with his future plan to become a physical education teacher.

Next up, legendary coach Lori Blade joins the show. Blade, who is assisting as a "bench coach" for the Edwardsville Tigers this season, comes in fresh from the Sectional softball semi-final with Belleville East. She describes her team's tough loss tonight, what she loves about golf, Kate Martin and the WNBA, and she discusses her upcoming "Lori Blade Fundamentals Softball Camp" at "the Sports Barn East."

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 years of age. Young talks about a tough injury that almost knocked him out of the sport, his weekly training regimen, and his upcoming meet schedule for the summer.

In the third slot, we recognize the Belleville West Girls Volleyball Team as the MESPY winners for 4A Team of the Year. Coach Me'Ashah Franklin describes how "shaking up the lineup" was just what her Maroons needed to make a thrilling post-season run. Coach "Me" is joined by her middle blocker, Addison Geluck, who shares her memories from the regular season and the post season, and she describes what it's like playing for her coach.