Metro East Sports Podcast

Metro East Sports Podcast


Season 5; Episode 2. Featuring: Grace Maxfield and Caryn Mefford; Chad Rakers, Addie Lampe, and Addison Nenninger; Jon Burnett; Dr. Arthur Langston, Tayla Phillips, and Norah Swaim; and Dan Brynildsen

February 13, 2024

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.