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Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame picks the top players and coaches of 2022

journal star staff
·3 min read

The Peoria Rivermen made history in 2022, winning its first professional hockey title in more than two decades.

Coach Jean-Guy Trudel made history this month, being named the first from a pro sports franchise to earn the annual coach of the year honor from the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. The award in the past has gone to only high school and college coaches.

This year's Tri-County sports awards winners were announced recently by the GPSHOF, which will honor the two coaches and two athletes during its ceremony in March. The GPSHOF recently announced the individuals and teams headed into the Class of 2022.

Class of 2022:MLB's Ben Zobrist heads into Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame

Here's a look at the Tri-County winners:

Jean-Guy Trudel

Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel directs his team against the Quad City Storm in the third period Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell 2-1 in their home opener.
Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel directs his team against the Quad City Storm in the third period Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell 2-1 in their home opener.

After losses in three previous trips to the President's Cup Finals, coach Trudel led the Peoria Rivermen to the SPHL title by beating Roanoke in four games for the franchise's first championship in 22 years. He rebuilt the roster after the team was dormant for the 2020-21 season.

Maribeth Dura

Brimfield head coach Maribeth Dura hugs senior forward Sophie Bedell (4) and the rest of the Brimfield Indians after their 32-31 win over Galena in the Class 1A state title game Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal.
Brimfield head coach Maribeth Dura hugs senior forward Sophie Bedell (4) and the rest of the Brimfield Indians after their 32-31 win over Galena in the Class 1A state title game Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal.

The coach led the top-ranked Brimfield girls basketball team to a one-point win in the Class 1A state title game. She guided the Indians to a 32-4 record and their first girls basketball state championship. Dura now is head coach at Canton.

Background:How this state champion basketball coach is creating a culture of toughness at Canton

Malachi Washington

Peoria High senior Malachi Washington rushed for 3,348 yards and 53 touchdowns on 407 carries this season, leading the Lions to a berth in the Class 5A state championship game in Champaign. He is the 2022 Journal Star Football Player of the Year.
Peoria High senior Malachi Washington rushed for 3,348 yards and 53 touchdowns on 407 carries this season, leading the Lions to a berth in the Class 5A state championship game in Champaign. He is the 2022 Journal Star Football Player of the Year.

The senior running back led Peoria High football (12-2) to the Class 5A state runner-up trophy in Champaign. The Journal Star football player of the year rushed for 3,348 yards and 53 touchdowns, a record six of them in a state championship game loss to LaGrange Park Nazareth. He recently committed to McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois.

Background:This Peoria High running back loves yard work — on a tractor and on a football field

Kenna Wollard

IVC's Kenna Wollard puts the ball between Limestone's Ella Karmenzind, far left, and Phoebe Sewell during their volleyball match Wednesay, Aug. 31, 2022 in Chillicothe.
IVC's Kenna Wollard puts the ball between Limestone's Ella Karmenzind, far left, and Phoebe Sewell during their volleyball match Wednesay, Aug. 31, 2022 in Chillicothe.

The Illinois Valley Central all-state volleyball player led the Ghosts to the school's first state trophy, third place in Class 2A. Her 677 kills are third-best statewide in a single season. In October, the Purdue commit became the Peoria-area's career kills leader and finished with 1,814 kills, second in state history.

'Complete package': IVC phenom cements status as one of Peoria's all-time volleyball greats

Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame ceremony

  • When: March 25, 2023

  • Where: Peoria Civic Center Ballroom

  • Details: Cocktails at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony.

  • Tickets: Guest ticket prices for the banquet are $55 before March 11 and $65 after March 15. No tickets for sale at the door. Reservations can be made by calling Susie Stockman at (309) 691-3553.

  • Inductees: Teams being inducted include the 1996, '97, '99 and 2000 Metamora football teams; the 2005-26 Illinois Central College women's basketball team and the 1983 Limestone football team. Individual inductees are MLB veteran Ben Zobrist of Eureka, Metamora coach Pat Ryan, cross country coaches Gene Jones of Metamora and Ed McGraw of East Peoria and Pekin multi-sport star Priscilla Welch DeLaere.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame picks 2022 Tri-County award winners