Award winners only in this show!

This episode begins with the MESPY winners for 5A Football Team of the Year, the Highland Bulldogs, who are represented by Head Coach Jim Warnecke and players Ethan Greenwald and Ashton Zobrist. Warnecke explains his philosophy: "players win games, not plays," and his returning captains talk about the secret to their success--toughness and intelligence on the gridiron. Coach talks about the team's dramatic playoff run, which included two hard-fought wins to get to the quarterfinals, and the boys discuss the "The Dog Pound," the HHS school podcast and dirt racing!

Next up, one of the best soccer players to come out of the Metro East recently, Adam Reiniger, is back to accept is THIRD MESPY for 3A Player of the Year. Reiniger discusses his personal, intense daily training regiment, and his academic success, which has him ranked #1 in his class. The All-Stater also accepts the MESPY for 3A Team of the Year, which included the program's fourth consecutive SWC Championship.

Rounding out the show is our Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month, Jack Carmody, the Triad Boys Tennis Coach. Carmody discusses his the "secrets" to building his program's success, which includes a long stretch of Sectional and MVC Championships, and winning the recent Regional Coach of the Year Award.

This episode features hometown heroes and a former world champion trying to make a difference in the lives of others. Edwardsville HS Hockey Coach Jason Walker is in the studio to accept the MESPY for Hockey Team of the Year. He is joined by his goalie Kai Vetter, who earned the MESPY for Player of the Year. The two discuss their championship season, which included raising $40k for Hockey Fights Cancer in conjunction with the St. Louis Blues.

Next up, Anna Hall, a member of the Harry Gallatin Awards Committee, joins the show to talk about helping to organize the event, which recognizes the best basketball players in the Riverbend area. Hall, a two-time Gallatin Player of the Year, shares her thoughts on the upcoming ceremony.

Finally, former world champion boxer Devon Alexander stops by to share his candid story of growing up in North St. Louis in a "two bedroom apartment with 13 kids and two adults." Alexander "the Great" talks about when he first started the sport, and he details highlights from his 19 years in professional boxing. He is joined by Stewart Cumberland, a member of his foundation, and the two discuss their plans to bring hope to kids in North STL through education and boxing.

Edwardsville High School finished 2nd in the "large school" division this season. This was a program-high for the Tigers, and in the studio to discuss their MESPY-winning season are Maia Rowe and Bella Hartman. The two seniors talk about what attracted them to the sport and what they'll remember from their careers at EHS. Next, Triad Boys Soccer Coach Jim Jackson is back in the studio to accept the MESPY for 2A Team of the Year. The Knights reached the Super-sectional, and seniors Brenden Smith and Gibson Hunt share their thoughts on playing for Coach Jackson and the keys to the consistent success enjoyed by their program.

This show begins with the MESPY for 2A Wrestler of the Year and state champion, Bryce Griffin of Civic Memorial HS. Griffin details his thoughts going into his final high school match, what attracted him to the sport, and why he chose to continue wrestling at Davidson University next year. He is joined by his coach, Jeremy Christesen, who discusses "chasing the losses" and the culture of Bethalto wrestling. Next up, the MESPY winner for 1A Wrestler of the Year, Jason Dowell of Althoff CHS, is in the studio with teammate Brenden Rayle and Coach EJ Brooks. Dowell shares the excitement over his recent state championship, and he compares wrestling to the other sport he loves, football. Rayle shares insight into how he helps train new wrestlers to the program, and Brooks talks about the impact both kids have on the program. Lastly, Steven Stock joins the show to talk about broadcasting sports at Belleville East. Stock explains how he got started, his goals for the future, and how he's "living the dream" calling sports for East.

This show boasts a new record for MOST guests--10! Caryn Mefford of My Pocket CEO begins the show, as she presents the Charitable Champion Award for February to Grace Maxfield of Granite City HS. Maxfield is a leader in the classroom and on the cheer team at GCHS, and she chose Chain of Hope as her charity of choice. Mefford shares some good advice for the senior as she plans her next step, which is to attend Illinois State University in the fall. Next up, Mater Dei Girls Volleyball Coach Chad Rakers is back to accept the MESPY for 2A Team of the Year. The Lady Knights captured the State Championship, and joining Rakers to discuss the feat are Addie Lampe and Addison Nenninger. The two girls discuss what they'll remember from the regular season and the team's dramatic playoff contest against Central. Rakers and the girls also talk about the team's "core values." Next up, the MESPY for 3A Boys XC Team of the Year was earned by O'Fallon, and Coach Jon Burnett shares his thoughts on his "style" and the team's top-5 finish at state. Then, we recognize the latest Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month, the Edwardsville HS Girls Wrestling Team, which captured the Conference, Regional, and Sectional titles. Up next for the girls is state, and Dr. Langston has some great tips for the ladies on staying focused during the big meet! Finally, Dan Bynildsen is an athlete and entrepeneur, who has combined both passions as the man behind Riverbend Axe Throwing and Play It Again Sports in Edwardsville. Brynildsen talks about being a world-ranked axe thrower, and he highlights the many ways Play It Again... benefits the community.

In this first episode of Season 5, Civic Memorial's longest-tenured Coach, Derek Jarman, and new Head Football and current Head Baseball Coach, Nick Smith, are in the studio to talk about the big changes on the horizon for their school. Jarman talks about taking over as Athletic Director in the 25-26 year, and Smith discusses his new gig leading the Eagles on the gridiron. They share their vision for their new roles, and they discuss their professional journeys, which have led them to this point. Next up, Alton's Head Basketball Coach Dylan Dudley is back to talk about the Redbirds' exciting season, which has included a couple dramatic wins in the SWC. Dudley also includes some "good advice" he got from his girlfriend and the difference between coaching golf and hoops. Finally, the Roxana Shells wrestlers are having a tremendous season. In the studio to talk about it are Head Coach Rob Milazzo, Assistant Coach Tom Blaha, and star wrestler, James Herring. Milazzo discusses his all-star coaching staff and his high hopes for the remainder of the season; Blaha talks about coming out of retirement to work with the Shells; and Herring talks his passion for wrestling and what he hopes to achieve.

Our last show of year 4 is a BIG one! The Covington women begin the show to speak about their upcoming event in conjunction with the National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Arlene shares her journey beginning about 50 years ago when women had limited opportunities to enjoy sports, and her daughters, Anya and Aaliyah, share insight into their careers, which included noteworthy careers at Edwardsville HS and at Wisconsin (Anya) and SLU (Aaliyah) for hoops. Next up, Kyle Anderson is in the studio to talk about one of the hottest topics in collegiate sports today--NIL. Anderson has founded a group which he believes will raise integral capital for the SIUE Men's Basketball program beginning next season. Anderson explains how his organization could be a key piece in helping the Cougars become competitive with the best teams in the country.

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.