10/05/2026
Last week, we introduced you to the 2027 MTHS Athletic Hall of Fame individuals - Gill Urycki and Will Koehrsen.
Now, it's time to meet the teams. There will be two ERAS of teams being inducted this year. The first is the 2013, 2014, and 2015 baseball teams.
Over the three-year period ending in the spring of 2015, the MTHS baseball program reached unprecedented heights. Metamora won two Mid-Illini Conference titles, three IHSA Regional plaques, three IHSA Sectional championships, and one IHSA Super-Sectional award. The Redbirds compiled a record of 90-27 during the three-year period.
The 2014 Redbirds brought home Metamora's first ever baseball state trophy, placing 3rd in Class 3A. In the run to state, MTHS defeated Washington, East Peoria, Notre Dame, Rock Island Alleman, and Sycamore, three by shutout.
At the state tournament, the Redbirds lost the semi-final game to Lemont before rebounding to defeat Grayslake Central for 3rd place.
Stars of the three Redbird teams were many, but Spencer Gaa, Alec Skender, Ethan Skender, and Trent Johnson were some of the all-time names from that era, as those four were named MVPs of the three Redbird squads.
Johnson was the 2013 Peoria Journal Star Player of the Year, while Ethan Skender earned the same honor in 2015.
The 2027 induction ceremony will be held prior to the varsity basketball game on Saturday, January 23, 2027 at 5:30 pm in Toepke Gym, in conjunction with the Redbird Roundball Classic.
