Metro East Sports Podcast The Metro East Sports Podcast

Possibly our biggest show to date! Episode 4.8 kicks off with Edwardsville HS Ultimate Frisbee Coach Trevor Spohr who is joined by his 4-year player and our Associate Producer, Keaton Anderson. The duo describes the sport, the current state of the program, and they discuss their state championship! Next, Granite City Boys Basketball Coach Gerard Moore is in the studio to describe the Warriors' recent winning season and his life-long love affair with the sport. Moore brings with him the Warrior hoop trio of Trevon Bond, Mario Brown, and Milton Dowell. The guys share their enthusiasm for the game and their respect for Coach Moore. Next, Wang Gang/Chappy's founder, and MESP partner, Ryan O'Day drops in to talk about hot yoga, the menu at Wang Gang, and his interest in the local sports landscape. Finally, Cahokia Wrestling Coach EJ Brooks details the history of the Comanche grapplers, his time wrestling at Mizzou, and his career as a professional fighter. Brooks brings with him Nick Deloach, Jr. and Jason Dowell. Deloach, a three-sport All-State athlete and Mizzou commit, talks about carrying on the family legacy, his decision to attend Mizzou, and his academic prowess, which includes the top academic ranking in his class. Dowell, also a three sport star, discusses looking up to Deloach, how he got started in wrestling, and his plans for the future.

In this Legends episode, Dave talks to the retiring Head Coach of Edwardsville Boys and Girls Wrestling, Jon Wagner, and his successor, Eric Pretto. Wagner and Pretto share their individual histories which led them to their coaching careers. Then, Wagner discusses his long, successful time leading the Tigers, and he comments on those things of which he is most proud. Pretto describes his vision for leading the Tigers and comments on what attracted him to the Tiger program. 

Chad Opel of Front Office Fiduciary Network is back to present the latest Charitable Champion, Aubree Wallace of Civic Memorial HS. Wallace is a three-sport honor student, who goes "the extra mile in the classroom and on the field with a positive attitude." The UMSL soccer commit described her goals and positive experience as an Eagle. Next, Steve Porter is back to talk about another hall of fame induction; this time, he was accepted into the STL Hall of Fame. Porter describes the experience along with the upcoming Harry Gallatin Awards, which he helps organize and which recognizes "riverbend" high school basketball greatness. Finally, O'Fallon Boys Bowling takes over the studio as Coach Mike Imes is joined by team leaders Nathan Bassford and Connor Lunnings. Imes talks about the local history of scholastic bowling and shares his love for coaching. Bassford describes the dramatic ending to his career and his goals for the future as a collegiate bowler. And, Lunnings discusses the technical change from one hand to two, which has made a significant difference in his career.

Drew Landau of Edwardsville HS Wrestling begins the show. He discusses winning 100 matches as a Tiger, going undefeated in dual matches, and qualifying for state for the third time. Belleville East Wrestling is represented next in the studio with first year Head Coach Rashad Riley, who is joined by third place state finisher Dominic Thebeau and his father Bernie. The trio talk about the Belleville East philosophy of teaching more than just wrestling, and Dominic discusses wrestling at Nebraska next year with his brother. Finally, O'Fallon THS Head Baseball Coach Joe Bauer wraps up the show with a metro east baseball preview including a detailed description of the Panthers. Bauer also talks about the facilities upgrades and the strengths of his staff.

Coach Mark Tubb kicks off show 4 to give insight into the success of the Mascoutah bowling teams. Tubb is joined by top-10 state finishers Carter Barrale and Bradon West, who talk about how they got their start in the sport and their goals for the future. Next, Evie Tyrrell and Kaitlynn Jennings of Edwardsville High School Cheerleading are in the studio to speak about their program-high, MESPY-winning season for Large Program of the Year. Finally, Triad Cheer Coach Hannah Schrage brings two of her girls (Brady Betz and Avery Brooks) to talk about their amazing MESPY-winning season for Medium-size Team of the Year. Betz and Brooks discuss the attitude instilled in the program by their coach, which included humility and focus.

Samira Khazaeli and Mark Thomas of Gori Law Firm kick off the show to talk about the upcoming 5K to raise money for local females interested in pursuing higher education. Next, Columbia Cheer Coach Robbie Walters is in studio to share his passion for his sport, as he talks about his long, successful journey. Walters is joined by two of seniors, Kierstyn Shreve and Grace Anderson. The girls talk about finishing just .48 behind the state champions, their obstacle-filled season, and they get emotional speaking about what they'll miss next year. Finally, Greg Knolhoff, assistant girls basketball coach at O'fallon THS, is in the Front Office studio to be recognized as the Keller Williams Marquee, Jeb and Ginger Blasingame, Coach of the Month. Knolhoff discusses coaching with his son Nick, the Head Coach, and he talks about his love of the game and previews the upcoming playoffs.