Episode 39 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Friday, June 22, 2018.

Our guest is recent Major League Draftee Pierson Gibis. Pierson is a 2017 Wauconda High School graduate and cancer survivor.

First we talk to Pierson about his plans for the summer (2:00). Next we ask him about his battle with cancer (3:00) and the family support system he has around him (6:00). We then ask Pierson to share the moment he learned he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs (11:00) and what is next for him in his baseball career (14:00).

Our Headline of the Week is men’s basketball. Former Stevenson star Jalen Brunson is drafted into the NBA. Jon and Joe discuss (22:45).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon and Joe close out the school year by revealing their top performances of the year by a Lake County male and female athlete (28:00).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 39 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Friday, June 22, 2018.

Our guest is recent Major League Draftee Pierson Gibis. Pierson is a 2017 Wauconda High School graduate and cancer survivor.

First we talk to Pierson about his plans for the summer (2:00). Next we ask him about his battle with cancer (3:00) and the family support system he has around him (6:00). We then ask Pierson to share the moment he learned he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs (11:00) and what is next for him in his baseball career (14:00).

Our Headline of the Week is men’s basketball. Former Stevenson star Jalen Brunson is drafted into the NBA. Jon and Joe discuss (22:45).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon and Joe close out the school year by revealing their top performances of the year by a Lake County male and female athlete (28:00).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 38 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Friday, June 8, 2018.

Our guest is Libertyville three sport athlete Brendan Cook. Brendan is the Daily Herald Male Athlete of the Year.

First we talk to Brendan about being the DH Male Athlete of the Year and why it is an important award for him (3:00). Next we ask Brendan about his choice to go to North Dakota State for football when he had other collegiate options (4:30). Brendan shares how one of the football coaches at NDSU encouraged him to play basketball (8:00). Jon then asks about playing three sports and how taking different types of coaching made him a more attractive football recruit (10:30). Joe asks Brendan why more of his peers don’t play multiple sports, why the three sport athlete is rare at the high school level and what it takes to be a three sport athlete (14:00). Brendan compares himself to another three sport athlete at Libertyville, Northwestern football recruit Charlie Schmidt (23:00) and in closing, Jon and Joe give advice on what Brendan should pack the jeep with as he leaves for college (29:00).

Our Headline of the Week is boys basketball. Lake Zurich hires a new head coach. Jon and Joe discuss (34:45).

In our Extra Point segment Jon talks about the life and times of professional golfers (37:00). And Joe is in a bittersweet mood talking about the end of the school year (40:00).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 37 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Tuesday, May 29th, 2018.

Our guest is Grayslake Central baseball coach Troy Whalen.

First we talk to Troy about the Rams season which includes Northern Lake County Conference and Class 3A regional title (1:30-5:00). Troy then talks about coaching a varsity sport while outside the building (5:30) and how intentional he is in hiring assistant coaches and how his process is similar to what a CEO does for a corporation (8:00). Next we discuss the baseball field at Grayslake Central and why it is considered one of the best in the county (15:00). And we close the conversation with a question to Troy—if he were commissioner for a day, what would he change about youth baseball? (18:00)

Our Headline of the Week is a surprising move in boys basketball. Lake Zurich coach Billy Pitcher leaves the Bears program for Lake Park. Jon and Joe discuss (29:00).

In our Extra Point segment Jon does some much-needed spring cleaning (33:45). And Joe reads a note from a parent thanking a coach (37:30).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 36 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Our guest is Mundelein High School girls soccer coach Ernie Billittier.

First we talk to Erie about the Mustangs winning the program’s first outright North Suburban Conference title this spring (1:45-4:00). Ernie shares the story of how the Mustangs found out they had won the conference championship (4:15-6:30). Next we ask Ernie about his life story, which includes time as a Mustang player under Coach Dave Ekstrom. Coming back to rebuild the program he played for is a dream come true for him (6:45-13:30). Next we get Ernie’s thoughts on having academy or club players in the program and how he builds those relationships (13:30-18:00) and Joe wants to know if Ernie thinks the level of play in soccer is more advanced now than it was a few decades ago (18:30-23:30). Finally we preview the Mustangs big regional final showdown against rival Carmel Catholic (23:30-26:30).

Our Headline of the Week is the baseball postseason. The brackets are out and Jon and Joe discuss the playoff possibilities of Lake County teams (29:00-35:00).

In our Extra Point segment Jon says its about time sports betting is legalized (35:00-39:00). And Joe has a few phrases he wants to eliminate from sports writing (39:30-43:00).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 35 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Our guest is Grant High School softball third baseman Erin Bengston. Erin is the reigning Daily Herald Softball Player of the Year.

First we ask Erin about how the Bulldogs are playing a few weeks out from the playoffs, how teams are pitching her differently and what adjustments she’s made in 2018 (2:00-6:00). Next we ask Erin about hitting home runs and her approach at the plate (6:30-7:45). Next Joe asks Erin how she’s overcome her lack of height (she’s only 5-1) to become a college-bound athlete (7:45-9:45). Next Jon asks Erin about girls and the importance of sports participation and if she’s noticed any trends within her friend group (10:00-12:30). Next we ask Erin about being a one-sport athlete and when and why she chose to focus strictly on softball (11:45-15:45). We then close the interview with Erin explaining what her back yard looks like, how much extra training she does for softball on her own and why she chose Holy Cross University to play in college (16:00-22:30).

Our Headline of the Week is the new football proposal in Illinois. Is the end of conferences and adding districts the right solution to a never ending issue? Jon and Joe discuss (29:00-37:30).

In our Extra Point segment, in advance of Mother’s Day, Jon salutes sports moms (37:45–40:00). And Joe gives his own salute, that to senior athletes and Senior Day (41:00-44:30).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 35 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Our guest is Grant High School softball third baseman Erin Bengston. Erin is the reigning Daily Herald Softball Player of the Year.

First we ask Erin about how the Bulldogs are playing a few weeks out from the playoffs, how teams are pitching her differently and what adjustments she’s made in 2018 (2:00-6:00). Next we ask Erin about hitting home runs and her approach at the plate (6:30-7:45). Next Joe asks Erin how she’s overcome her lack of height (she’s only 5-1) to become a college-bound athlete (7:45-9:45). Next Jon asks Erin about girls and the importance of sports participation and if she’s noticed any trends within her friend group (10:00-12:30). Next we ask Erin about being a one-sport athlete and when and why she chose to focus strictly on softball (11:45-15:45). We then close the interview with Erin explaining what her back yard looks like, how much extra training she does for softball on her own and why she chose Holy Cross University to play in college (16:00-22:30).

Our Headline of the Week is the new football proposal in Illinois. Is the end of conferences and adding districts the right solution to a never ending issue? Jon and Joe discuss (29:00-37:30).

In our Extra Point segment, in advance of Mother’s Day, Jon salutes sports moms (37:45–40:00). And Joe gives his own salute, that to senior athletes and Senior Day (41:00-44:30).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 34 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

Our guest is Libertyville High School right-handed pitcher Riley Gowens.

First we ask Riley about the North Suburban Conference baseball race this season, the Wildcats rivalry with Mundelein and why he chose the University of Illinois for college (1:30-3:30). Next Jon wants to know about Riley’s first baseball memories and when he realized he could throw a baseball faster than the other kids (3:40-6:00). Next Riley reveals how he transformed his body physically and how that turned his career around. He also shares his dietary secrets, how he packs his lunch every day and what plant-based food he puts in his sandwiches (6:00-11:30). Next Joe asks Riley about his MLB draft possibilities now and in the future (11:45-16:30). We then close the interview with Riley giving his favorite pro pitchers. He’s a Cubs fan (16:30-22:00)

Our Headline of the Week is the girls soccer postseason. Brackets are out in both Class 3A and 2A with Lake County teams earning top seeds (24:45-28:30).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon gives credit to a famous musician who is championing an important cause with his music this summer (28:45-31:00). And Joe pays tribute to a fallen Lake County coaching legend, Tom Maple (31:30-33:45).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 33 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Our guest is Stevenson High School Athletic Director Tricia Betthauser.

First we ask Tricia about how the unusual cold spring weather impacts her job (1:30-3:45). Next Joe asks Tricia about the day to day aspects of being an athletic director (3:30-8:30). Jon then wants to know how Tricia’s background as a high school and college athlete, then college coach and high school teacher best prepared her for a career in athletic administration (8:45-12:00). Joe then gets Tricia’s thoughts on the officiating crisis in Illinois and what Stevenson High School is doing to try and recruit and keep more referees (12:15-15:45). Jon asks Tricia about girls and sports participation and if cultural stigmas still exist in 2018. Tricia shares some interesting ideas how how to encourage girls to play sports and the realities of today’s athlete (16:00-29:00).

Our Headline of the Week is the NFL draft. We look to the future…whom are current Lake County football players most likely to be drafted in the coming years? (34:30-43:00).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon states his case for going local when it comes to our online newspaper subscriptions (43:00–49:15). And Joe has witnessed some unbelievable comebacks so far this spring sports season (49:15-53:00).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.

Episode 32 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Our guest is Grayslake North boys lacrosse coach Brad Fish.

First we start by asking Brad about the the IHSA sanctioning lacrosse this spring and why its a game changer for the sport (1:45-2:30). Next Joe asks Brad about both his sons, AJ and Nicholas, who both are lacrosse players. AJ is arguably the best athlete in Grayslake North history (2:45-4:30). Jon then wants to know from Brad about the growth of the sport of lacrosse from the time Brad grew up on the East Coast in the late 1970’s until now (4:45-11:00). We then ask Brad how lacrosse is drawing young athletes away from other traditional sports such as baseball (11:15-12:30) and why lacrosse is good cross training for other sports (15:30-18:30). Brad also shares a story of how one athlete he coached helped boost his college recruiting because he played lacrosse (19:00-24:00).

Our Headline of the Week is the recent stretch of terrible weather in Lake County. How will it impact teams moving forward the rest of the spring season? Are there any ways to prevent all the rainouts and cancellations? (27:30-31:30).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon reveals a dirty little secret that happens at more Lake County high schools than you may think (32:00-35:30). And Joe shares a conversation he had with his daughter with a message useful for all area high school students (40:30-43:15).

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast and how how to subscribe to the show on iTunes, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com.