6.43 is presented by Little Caesars Pizza! This episode is focused on high school girls who are WINNING, and it features: Kevin Pawlow with "KP's Corner" concentrating on the girls' basketball scene; Jack Grimm with the Hitter of the Year, Avery Boehm of Mascoutah, and her coach, Brooke Kloess; and Coach Patrylak of EHS XC with star runners Ella Thompson, Madison Popelar, and Morgan Popelar.
This episode kicks off with KP's Corner. Coach Pawlow stops by to break down our latest girls basketball rankings for large and small schools. KP and Dave discuss the biggest movers, the area's top scorers, and they recap a few of the bigger games on the girls schedule. Then, KP highlights a few of the upcoming Holiday Hoop tournaments for girls and boys.
Next up, Jack Grimm is back to talk volleyball and introduce the winner for the MESPY for "Hitter of the Year," Avery Boehm of Mascoutah HS. Coach Brooke Kloess joins Boehm, and the pair shares their most memorable moments during their tenure together. They also speak candidly about the "learning curve" associated with their time together, and Boehm credits strength and conditioning coach Frank Campbell with helping her reach new heights, literally. Kloess brings her 3 young daughters into the studio, and Boehm talks about her tremendous support group, including these three young admirers.
Finally, we present the MESPY for 3A Girls XC Team of the Year for the third consecutive year to Coach George Patrylak of Edwardsville HS. Patrylak led the Tigers to a program-high 8th-place finish at state. He is joined by "three of the top 5 runners to ever run at EHS," Ella Thompson and sisters Madison Popelar and Morgan Popelar. Coach Patrylak talks about the unique closeness of this team. Madison describes how sitting out the spring of her junior season due to an injury made her appreciate the opportunity more. Thompson talks about her favorite memories of the season, and she looks ahead to providing a leadership role next season. Morgan shares her thoughts on running with her sister, and she candidly reveals which sister is most likely to inspire the other to go for a run.
Season 6 is presented by Little Caesars Pizza!
6.42 is all about hoops and the little white ball, as we welcome former PGA pro Jay Delsing with local golf guru Mike Suhre; Rachel Johnson, 2A MESPY Winner for Golfer of the Year; and Coach Brock Quigley of Red Bud Boys Golf with his entire squad.
This episode is recorded at The Clubhouse Sports Lounge. First we talk boys basketball with Coach Pawlow for "KP's Corner." KP and Dave reveal the latest basketball rankings, and they talk about the biggest risers and fallers in the small and large school rankings. KP calls Alton the "real deal," and Dave talks about Staunton moving up to #1 in the small school rankings.
Next, Dave welcomes back Mike Suhre of Oak Brook GC, and they are joined by STL golf legend Jay Delsing, who has just published his book, You Wouldn't Believe Me If I Told You. Delsing calls himself the "luckiest man who ever lived," and he talks about his humble beginnings in North County, his time playing golf at UCLA, and his 700 events played on the PGA Tour. Delsing discusses playing with Sean Connery and the "biggest mistake" he sees sports parents making.
Next up, Dave and Mike are joined by the MESPY winner for 2A Girls Golfer of the Year, Rachel Johnson of EHS. Johnson talks about her college commitment for next year, and the inspiration she found in her sister Nicole. Additionally, she describes playing at the state tournament and her growth throughout her high school career.
Rounding out the show, Coach Brock Quigley of Red Bud Boys Golf brings his varsity players. The Musketeers are the winners of 1A Boys Golf Team of the Year and the Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month. This group is only the third team to qualify for state in the history of the school, and Coach Quigley describes the keys to his team's success. The guys share their favorite on and off the course memories, and with only one senior in the bunch, they talk about their lofty goals for their upcoming years at RBHS.
This season is presented by Little Caesars Pizza!
6.41 is all about GREATNESS. It features Volleyball Analyst Jack Grimm and the MESPY winners from Belleville East Lancers Volleyball: Head Coach Abby Hanger, Assistant Coach Addie Burris, and MESPY Winner for Setter of the Year Abi Monroe; Kevin Pawlow with Greg Knolhoff and SWIC Women's Basketball Coach John Denney; and, from Central Football Coach Brian Short, the Central small co-team of the year with Bryce Wieter and Cole Davis.
The show begins with our volleyball expert, Jack Grimm, who presents the MESP for Large School Team of the Year to the Belleville East Head Coach, Abby Hangar, who is joined by her assistant, Addie Burris. The two share the team philosophy ("Brick by brick"), and they discuss what made this team so special. The coaches are joined by the MESPY inner for Setter of the Year, Abi Monroe. Monroe discusses focusing on the present to put together an epic season and being a two-sport star (softball) at BE.
Next up, it's KP's Corner. Coach Pawlow and Dave are joined by Greg Knolhoff, who assists two of the "best women's basketball programs in the Metro East: O'Fallon THS and SWIC." KP, Dave, and Greg go over the updated girls' rankings, review the big boys and girls games from last week, and look ahead to the major contests coming up. Also, Dave lists the area's top 12 female scorers.
Then, SWIC Women's Basketball Head Coach John Denney is back to talk about his undefeated Blue Storm. Coach Denney talks about the keys to the team's success, and he and Knolhoff talk about recruiting top players to come to SWIC. Denney also reveals what type of player he's looking for.
Rounding out the show, Coach Brian Short of Central Football is back to accept the MESPY for Small School of the Year. Short talks about building the program at Central, and he talks about the point at which he began to feel like they had turned a corner. He also discusses creating a family atmosphere and continuing to inject "love" into the team. He is joined by star 2-way player Bryce Wieter and Coe Davis. Both players are All-State, and they describe playing at Central on their "new turf field," and what they'll miss about playing at Central. Davis also accepts the MESPY for Small School Player of the Year.
Season 6 is presented by Little Caesars Pizza! Episode 6.40 features KP's Corner with Kevin Pawlow and Regional Superintendent Rob Werden, "a lifelong Metro East guy."
The show kicks off with KP and Dave getting in the Christmas mood, challenging all ME holiday shoppers to buy their gifts locally. Then, the guys talk about the East St. Louis football loss to Fenwick yesterday. The guys talk about some of the revealing facts, and they share love and respect for the Flyers, who continue to set the standard for football greatness locally. Then, they share their MESPY winners for all things football, including players and teams of the year.
Then, the guys move to hoops talk, revealing their small and large school boys rankings for the first time this year (girls were last week). Finally, they talk about a few upcoming games to keep an eye on for the boys and the girls.
Next, Regional Superintendent of Schools for Madison County and lifelong ME resident Rob Werden joins KP and Dave. Werden shares the responsibilities of his position including his passion to secure "cocurricular activity opportunities for kids in the Metro East." He shares his greatest success and "unfinished business" in the position, and he reveals his plan to retire from the post soon. He then talks about growing up on "1 Mile North Farm," going to Edwardsville High School, the positive changes he has witnessed in the area during his lifetime, and the lessons he learned "wrestling for Coach Stahlhut."
This season is presented by Little Caesars Pizza!
6.39 features Steve Porter, Jack Grimm, and Coach Justin Thompson with Edwardsville HS divers Anna Feco and Natalie Kaiser.
The show begins with Steve Porter sitting in for KP, for "KP's Corner," a high school sports roundup. Steve starts by talking about Coach Wigger of Alton HS, who recently died at 94, and who is "probably the greatest coach in the history of AHS." Wigger was a legend in the Alton sports community, especially as a three-time state champion track coach, and Porter shares memories and thoughts on this coaching legend. Next, he and Dave share their thoughts on the football playoffs in which only ESTL will represent the Metro East next weekend in the state championships. The guys discuss the Flyers' prospects against Fenwick, and they talk about the one-point losses of Central and Calhoun. Then, the guys move on to girls' basketball, including our small and large school rankings and a brief description of the teams to watch this season.
Joining Dave next in the studio is the "Volleyball Guru," Jack Grimm. Grimm rehashes the 25 girls volleyball season, highlighting the highest finishing teams in each division, and he names the MESPY winner at setter (Abi Monroe, Belleville East), hitter (Avery Boehm, Mascoutah), and defender (Ella Horner, Columbia). Finally, Grimm announces the MESPY winners for small (Columbia) and large (Belleville East) teams of the year.
Completing the show, we are joined by Coach Justin Thompson of Edwardsville High School Girls Swim and Dive Team, MESPY winners for Team of the Year. He is joined by divers Anna Feco and Natalie Kaiser. Feco, a senior, discusses her two-year career at EHS, including how she got into the sport. Kaiser, a sophomore, talks about qualifying for state and winning the Sectional on her final dive. Thompson describes his current "dream job coaching," where he went to school and the details of dive competitions.
This season is presented by Little Caesars Pizza, America's best value for a family meal!
6.38 features Lincoln MS XC Coach Mark Tschudy, whose boys and girls teams BOTH finished in the top 10! The girls made history for their program by finishing 3rd. He is joined by Audrey Floyd, Abby Godard, and Zoe Scroggins. The girls share their appreciation for Coach Tschudy, and they talk about what they love most about the running XC at Lincoln, including their "fun runs," which take them to "secret destinations" like "the void" and "the beach." Coach shares his thoughts regarding the culture of his team; he wants his teams to be "friendly, consistent, and fearless."
Next up, Dave is joined by Coach Pawlow for "KP's Corner." This week the guys preview their upcoming plans for basketball, and they review the state 2A Volleyball Championship for Columbia HS. Congratulations to the Eagles! Next they go over last week's quarterfinal games including tough losses for Carrollton to Brown County and Cahokia, but great wins for Central and ESTL. Central had a battle with Cahokia, which fought hard to the end led by WR Hartless Holman who scored twice on the day, but on a hot day, the Cougars were led by Cole Davis's 4-TD game! Dave talks about Coach Short taking the time to hug his family at half, and the guys preview next weekend's semi-final with Brown County at Calhoun, Central at Rochester, and ESTL at St. Laurence.
This season is presented by Little Caesars Pizza!
6.37 Features 2A State XC Champion Max Weber from Civic Memorial HS alongside his coach, Jake Peal. Weber, who just won the state meet 2 days ago, details his historic race and talks about the pressure he felt going into it and the plan he executed to perfection to pull off the win. Peal describes his team's MESPY-winning performance (9th place), and he talks about the great example Weber sets for his teammates.
Next up, for KP's Corner, we are joined by local sportswriter Dan Brannan, who manages Riverbender.com and Glen Ed Today. First Dave goes through the top team and individual performances at XC state last weekend for the Metro East boys and girls. Then, Dan, Kevin, and Dave go through last week's football playoff games. Kevin talks about his experience at the Carrollton vs. Dupo game, and Dave and Dan share their thoughts on the Greenfield vs. Calhoun overtime thriller. Dave describes the "Houner" vibe in detail. Next, KP points out several of last week's top performers on the gridiron, and then the guys mention the upcoming quarterfinals, including the battle between the two top-ranked small schools: Central at Cahokia.
Finally, Dave goes through the volleyball Super-Sectional matchups and the recently-completed soccer playoff highlights, including the Columbia 1A state championship.
This episode is presented by Little Caesars Pizza, and it features: Kevin Pawlow; Edwardsville tennis stars Katie Woods, Bina Selimi, and Dia Kannan; and Venice Elementary Athletic Dorion Taylor and Basketball Coach Di'mond Salmond.
6.36 begins with a comprehensive look at the high school playoffs in football, volleyball, XC, and soccer. KP's Corner presented by Dazzling Decor and More begins with a close look at the first week of the playoffs, including the Round 1 scores for all the Metro East teams. The guys decide that the Waterloo win over Mt. Zion was the "shocker of the week." Then, KP lists the round 2 games and the top performers in round 1. Next, KP talks about the soccer playoffs, and then Dave lists the 1A, 2A, and 3A teams that qualified for XC state next weekend in Peoria. Finally, the guys mention all the local Volleyball Sectional semi-final teams playing this week.
Next up, we recognize the MESPY winners for 2A Tennis Team of the Year, the Edwardsville Tigers. Representing the team in the studio are Dia Kannan (2A Singles Player of the Year) and Katie Woods, and Bina Selimi (2A Doubles Team of the Year). Kannan talks about her year, her 75 wins in just 2 years, and her goals for the future and what she'll have to do to get there. Woods and Selimi share their insights into their spectacular 5th-place finish at state. The three also describe the outstanding chemistry on the team and the role that played in their success.
Rounding out the show, we are joined again by Dorion Taylor, Athletic Director at Venice Elementary; he is joined by Basketball Coach Di'mond Salmond. Taylor talks about his role as AD and Truancy Officer, and he shares his excitement in bringing middle school sports back to Venice. Salmond describes his job coaching the 7th and 8th grade teams, and he shares his path to this new position. Both men talk about the new building that "Dr. Hightower" helped to fundraise for and the excitement that that project has brought to the community.
This show begins with three senior girls from the Jersey Community Panthers tennis team: the twins Libby and Emma McCormick and Tessa Crawford.
The three girls share how much they love playing tennis at Jersey CHS, and they talk about their big goals for the remainder of the season. The trio also mentions the positive impact that Pat Coyle has had on their careers along with Head Coach Dan Diamond.
Next up, Kahok Assistant Soccer Coach Josh Boyd is in the studio to talk about the Kahoks who have won the SWC the last three seasons. He is joined by star forwards Sam Garofalo and Adam Reiniger. The boys talk about the "rough" start to the season, but how they managed to rebound from some tough early-season losses, and how they plan to end their season on top.
Last, Dupo Football HC Zach Klaustermeier is back to discuss the Tigers' hot start, which includes their recognition as Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month. Coach "K" discusses what he likes about his team, and he breaks down the upcoming matchups his squad will face.
6.35 is presented by Little Caesars Pizza, and it features Kevin Pawlow with "KP's Football Corner," and Edwardsville HS Flag Football Coach Taylor Hay with players Gabby Thompson and Ella Wallace.
This show kicks off with "KP's Football Corner" presented by Dazzling Decor and More. Kevin and Dave review the biggest games of week 9, including Edwardsville's loss to DeSmet, Jersey's shocking win over Columbia, and Collinsville's win over playoff-hopeful Triad. Then, KP lists the weekly and season-long statistical leaders for TD's, rushing yards, and tackles. Finally, Dave and KP break down the upcoming playoff games with Metro East teams.
Up next, we meet with Edwardsville High School Flag Football Head Coach Taylor Hay, who is joined by star receiver/punter/defensive back Gabby Thompson and quarterback Ella Wallace. Hay shares insights into beginning the program at EHS and guiding the girls to a state play appearance. Thompson and Wallace talk about their motivation to try the sport and what they'll remember from the season. Wallace, who threw 53 TD's this year, remembers her emotions going into the first game, and Thompson recalls scoring the first TD in the history of the program. Also, Hay talks about how her 16 years of competitive, professional tackle football prepared her for her role as the Head Tiger.
6.34 is presented by Little Caesars Pizza, and it features: Kevin Pawlow with "KP's Football Corner," Bill Roseberry with the Harry Gallatin Basketball Awards, and Coach Chris Eddy of O'Fallon THS Girls Golf with golfers Zoey Ficken and Lindsay Jackson.
This podcast begins with KP's Football Corner presented by Dazzling Decor and More. KP and Dave take a close look at the week 7 games including big wins by Belleville East, Edwardsville, Freeburg, and Calhoun-Brussels. And the guys check out the week's top performers including Cahokia's Malik Mazyun, Mater Dei's Hunter Hochbaum, Waterloo's Owen Niebruegge, and Jacob Brannan of Calhoun-Brussels. Finally, the guys look at the key matchups of week 9, the last week of the regular season including Marquette at Roxana, Edwardsville at De Smet, ESTL at IMG, and Alton at Highland.
Next, Bill Roseberry is back to promote the Harry Gallatin Awards. Roseberry outlines the history, tells a great story about the "late but great" Harry Gallatin, and details the upcoming trivia night fundraiser at Laux Brickhouse. Coach Pawlow sits in on this interview and shares his memories of Coach Gallatin from his SIUE days.
Finally, we recognize our 2A MESPY winner for Girls Golf Team of the Year, the O'Fallon THS Panthers. Joining Dave in the studio is Head Coach Chris Eddy, along with golfers Zoey Ficken and Lindsay Jackson. The girls describe their preseason expectations, and they describe how Coach Eddy helps them with their mental game. Eddy talks about the long season and the demands of not being sure whose score would count at 3 and 4 this year, and he describes his typical season goals.
Little Caesars Pizza presents this episode, featuring Jack Grimm with the Volleyball Report, Kevin Pawlow with KP's Football Corner, Dr. Arthur Langston, and Coach Steve Ellis of Breese Central Girls Golf, along with golfers Lucah Lyons and Maya Kampwerth.
Jack Grimm is back to talk all things fall volleyball as we enter the last third of the season. In this segment presented by Blue Steel Volleyball Club, Jack and Dave review the latest big games, and they preview the upcoming ones to watch. And the guys go through their latest rankings for small, big, and combined rankings.
Then, Coach Kevin Pawlow is back for KP's Football Corner presented by Dazzling Decor and More. Kevin highlights the big contests from week 7 including the top performers. Then, the KP and Dave preview the big game to watch in week 8 including Cahokia at Collinsville, Belleville East and Belleville West, and Highland at Mascoutah. Finally, they break down their latest big and small school rankings.
Rounding out the show, we recognize our latest Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month, Breese Central Girls Golf. Dr. Langston is here to present the award, and he updates listeners on his latest methods of helping his patients get better quickly. Then, Dave is joined by Coach Steve Ellis, along with golfers Lucah Lyons and Maya Kampwerth. The Cougars, who just finished at third last weekend at state, brought home the program's first team trophy. Along with being Team of the Month, the Cougars earned the season's first MESPY Award for 1A Girls Golf Team of the Year. Coach Ellis talks about helping girls manage their emotions and their games on the course; the girls talk about their teammates and their "core memories" from this season.
Little Caesars Pizza presents this episode!
Show 6.32 Features KP's Football Corner with Kevin Pawlow; Edwardsville Gun Club President Dale Steinmetz, along with Board member Justin Remert and Trap Help Bridget Remert; and Dan, Emma, and Anna Brynildsen.
The episode begins with KP's Football Corner presented by Dazzling Decor and More. If folks drop in and mention KP's Corner, they can get 1/2 off Halloween Decorations and jewelry through Halloween. KP and Dave look at the notable week 6 games and the players who are leading the area in passing, scoring, and tackles. Then they take a look at the upcoming week 7 games to keep an eye on, and they reveal the MESP rankings for small and large schools.
Then, we talk all things Edwardsville Gun Club with President Dale Steinmetz, who is joined by Board member Justin Remert and his daughter, Bridget, who is "trap help." Steinmetz discusses EGC as "much more than a place to shoot guns," as he describes the hiking, fishing, eating, and social opportunities there, along with the shooting activities, which include trap and a pistol, and a rifle range. Remert describes his journey with the EGC, and he talks about coaching Bridget as a member of the Triad Trap Team. Bridget describes her introduction to the sport and the responsibilities of "trap help."
Finally, we meet with Play It Again Sports Edwardsville store owner Dan Brynildsen, who is joined by his daughters Emma and Anna. Dan talks about the joys of coaching his four children in their various sports and all the great things going on at the store. The girls talk about their latest seasons--Anna is a freshman golfer at Edwardsville HS; Emma plays softball and basketball at Liberty MS.
This episode is presented by Little Caesars Pizza, and it features Kevin Pawlow with KP's Football Corner, Coach Zach Klaustermeier of Dupo Football with Norm Sanders, and McKendree Beach Volleyball Coach Bob Vollmer with Brooke Junker and Madi Stevens.
The show begins with Kevin Pawlow in the studio for "KP's Football Corner." During the segment this week we talk about the biggest games from last week, including Cahokia over Marion, Edwardsville over Belleville East, East St. Louis over Belleville West, Triad over Highland, and Freeburg over Columbia. Then, the guys go over the new rankings and the players who had a standout performance last week, along with a look ahead to the biggest games of Week 6. KP predicts an EHS upset of the ESTL Flyers.
Next up, Dupo Head Football Coach Zach Klaustermeier is back to talk about his Tigers, the ONLY undefeated team in the ME after 5 weeks. Klaustermeier shares insight into his star quarterback, Deegan Prater, and he talks about the many things he loves about this team. We are joined by MESP Football Pollster and Dupo Alumni Norm Sanders, who shares some historical perspective on the Tigers' hot start.
Finally, we end the show by talking about beach volleyball at McKendree University. We are joined in the studio by coach Bob Vollmer, who began the program there four years ago, and players Brooke Junker and Madi Stevens. Junker, a senior, talks about her decision to switch from indoor to outdoor and join the Bearcat program; Stevens, a freshman, describes her first few months in the sport.
Little Caesars Pizza presents this episode, and it features Kevin Pawlow with KP's Football Corner, and from Althoff Girls Volleyball Coach Brice Miller, Reese Distler, and Arista Bunn.
6:30 features our third installment of KP's Football Corner presented by Dazzling Decor and More with Coach Kevin Pawlow. KP and Dave break down the week 4 games and they spend some time reviewing the biggest upset (Marion over Althoff), and several of the week's top performers. Then, they go over the Large and Small school rankings and the games to keep an eye on in week 5. Finally, KP gives his picks of the week including his "Dog of the Week," the Cahokia Comanches on the road at Marion.
Next up, we visit with one of the area's top girls volleyball teams, the Althoff Crusaders, who are currently ranked #4 in our small school poll. The Crusaders are represented in the studio by Coach Brice Miller, outside hitter Reese Distler, and setter Arista Bunn. Miller describes what he loves about his team, and he breaks down the first 5 weeks of the season. Distler, one of the area's top hitters, talks about the "scrappy" style of the team; Bunn describes the "electricity" surrounding the team this season..
This episode is presented by Little Caesars, and it features Jess Cerra, VP of SaltStick and Vitassium; Kevin Pawlow with KP's Football Corner; and Jack Grimm with the Volleyball Review.
The show kicks off with Jess Cerra, whose upbringing in Whitefish, Montana, and professional endurance sport career led her to start her own athletic bar company. Currently, she serves as VP of Product and Community Development at Alete Active Nutrition. Cerra talks about creating something to help her compete, and how that became a passion for bringing "great tasting, healthy food for athletes." She leads innovation for the brands Vitassium and Saltstick. The former triathlete and professional cyclist also began with her husband, "The Last Best Ride, a gravel cycling event in her hometown of Whitefish, which allocates 20% of its proceeds to helping women pursue education beyond high school."
Next up, it's "KP's Football Corner presented by Dazzling Decor and More." KP breaks down the big games of week 3, and he and Dave go over the rankings, the stat leaders, and the big games for week 4, including a few bold predictions and "KP's Dog of the Week!"
Finally, local volleyball expert Jack Grimm is in the studio for his "Volleyball Report presented by Blue Steel Volleyball Club." Grimm shares the small, large, and inclusive rankings for the local girls volleyball teams, and he and Dave discuss the biggest stories from the first third of the season. Then, Jack shares his thoughts on the upcoming stories he'll be watching as we move into the middle third of the season, along with some highlights of the local stat leaders.
This episode is presented by Little Caesars Pizza, and it features Kevin Pawlow of KP's Football Corner; Head Coach Greg Nasello of Alton HS Boys Soccer; and, Coach Kelly Landgraf, Columbia Girls VB Head Coach with Ella Horner (senior, libero), Maura Kohlenberger (senior, middle hitter) and Kinley Jany (senior, outside hitter).
This episode kicks off with "KP's Football Corner" presented by Dazzling Decor and More. KP and Dave provide a comprehensive focus on all things high school football including a look at last week's games, large and small school rankings, top performances of week 2, and a preview of the key games in week 3. Check out our ranking on our social media.
Next up, we meet with legendary Alton HS Head Coach Greg Nasello, who details his incredible soccer journey as a player and as a coach, which has included stops at LCCC and Missouri. Nasello describes the best part of his life in soccer, he tells a great story about Gene Baker, and he drops a bombshell--this will be his last year at AHS! Coach Nasello reflects on his career and explains why he believes he's ready to head to Florida with his wife.
Last, we recognize the Integrity Spine and Joint Center Metro East Team of the Month, The Columbia Eagles Girls Volleyball Team. The ladies are represented in the studio by Head Coach Kelly Landgraf, Ella Horner (senior, libero), Maura Kohlenberger (senior, middle hitter), and Kinley Jany (senior, outside hitter). The Eagles have been flying with TWO tournament victories and a perfect 13-0 record. The girls describe the vibe, coach describes what she loves about her team, and the group talks about their expectations for the remainder of the season.
Thie episode is presented by Little Caesars Pizza, and it features: Coach Dan Diamond of Jersey CHS Girls Tennis; Coach Cody Markle of Alton HS Football; and Coach Me'Ashah Franklin of Belleville West HS Girls Volleyball.
The show kicks off with Jersey tennis coach Dan Diamond. Coach Diamond is excited about the current season, and he explains how much he loves teaching the game to the kids in his community. He and host, David Lipe, also preview the Metro East's top 1A tennis players.
Next up, Alton HS football Head Coach Cody Markle loves his community, his school, and his program. You can feel the love, as Markle talks about the many things going right for the Redbirds as they get ready to take on defending 1A state champs, Althoff, on Friday night in Belleville. Kevin Pawlow joins the show for the for the first installment of "KP's Football Corner," in which he previews the upcoming teams to watch and the big games to keep an eye on in week 1. Stay tuned each week for a review of the previous week's games, a preview of the upcoming game, weekly rankings, and interviews with the area's top players and coaches.
Round out the show we are joined by the ebullient Me'Ashah Franklin, Head Girls Volleyball Coach at Belleville West HS. Franklin is back to speak about her high-energy style, her team's tough schedule, which opens tomorrow against Mascoutah, and the "scrappy" personality of her Maroons. She and Dave also preview the local teams to "keep an eye on" this fall on the volleyball court.
This episode is presented by Little Caesars Pizza, and it features "The King of 618 Pickleball" Bob Biarkis, XC Coaches Jake Peal, Joe Shannon, and George Patrylak; and, former football coach and current official, Craig Colbert.
This episode begins with the "King of 618 Pickleball," Bob Biarkis, who shares his immense passion for the game. Biarkis explains how he got into the sport, what he loves about it, and he delves into the various pickleball projects with which he is involved including "Pickleballpalooza."
Next up, we provide a comprehensive Metro East high school cross country preview with coaches Joe Shannon (Father McGivney), George Patrylak, (Edwardsville HS), and Jake Peal (Civic Memorial). The "3 Wisemen of Cross Country" preview their squads, and they took a look at the other local players and teams to watch in all three classifications.
Finally, we share the studio with former Edwardsville HS Assistant Football Coach Craig Colbert, who details his coaching journey from Peoria to EHS, and he talks about his favorite moments during his over 30 years coaching. Colbert also shares his experiences as a football official.
Little Caesars Pizza presents this episode, and it features Calla Espenschied of Waterloo HS Cross-Country, Track, and Basketball; and, Mascoutah Girls Bowling Coach Derek Crain with team members Lily Herman, Blue Herman, Julia Henderson, Raegan Ewers, Emily Blanchard, and Alanna Johnston.
Calla Espenschied's name has been mispronounced more ways than she can count, but she has learned to "just go with it" while she focuses on her busy career as a senior at Waterloo HS. Espenschied is a star on the cross-country course, the basketball court, and the track, and in this conversation she explains how positive self-talk enabled her to run a 30-second PR at the state meet. She also discusses her interest in sports jounalism as the latest intern at the MESP.
Next up, we meet with our biggest group ever, 7 members of the Mascoutah Girls Bowling Team including Coach Crain and team members Lily Herman, Blue Herman, Julia Henderson, Raegan Ewers, Emily Blanchard, and Alanna Johnston. The girls discuss what they love about the sport and what people often misunderstand about it. Coach Crain shares his thoughts on the dedication necessary to succeed in the sport, and the girls share each girl's "personal strike cheer."