Prairie Fire Football players Joe Metzka ’96 and Derek Mortensen ’14, basketball and track and field record holder Michael Smith ’96, and volleyball player Mary Whiteside Groll ’92 are the newest members elected to the Knox-Lombard Hall of Fame.
Joe Metzka is one of the most dominant kickers and overall athletes in Knox football history. Named All-American in 1993, 1994, and 1995, as well as Preseason All-American in 1994 and 1995, he holds the Knox record for most field goals in a career (22), field goal percentage (.733), most field goals in a game (5), longest field goal made (53 yards), most punts in career (220), and most punt yards in a career (7,627). He also holds the single season record for extra point percentage (1.000). He was also a four-year letterwinner in track and field, where he threw javelin and competed as a sprinter.
Derek Mortensen finished his career as the all-time leading rusher for the Knox football team. Mortensen accumulated 4,016 rushing yards in his career and rushed for a Knox record 43 touchdowns. He holds the high-water marks in average yards per game (97.3), rushing attempts, most games over 100 yards (19), consecutive games over 100 yards, and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown. He also set single season marks for rushing attempts, rushing touchdowns, and most games over 100 yards. Altogether he holds 18 rushing and scoring records and ties for three more.
Nearly 15 years after graduating, Michael Smith still holds records in both men's basketball and track and field. He remains the all-time assists leader for the Knox men's basketball team with 323. He is also third all-time with 140 assists in a season, a feat he accomplished in 1995–96. Michael was named first team All-Midwest Conference and Midwest Conference All-Tournament in 1996. As a member of the track and field team, Smith was a three-time Midwest Conference Champion in triple jump and also was a member of the Outdoor Conference Champion 4x100m relay team in 1994. He still holds the school records in the indoor Triple Jump (45' 7 1/2") and Long Jump (22' 7 ½"). Michael also finished in second place in the Long Jump at the Midwest Conference Outdoor Meet in 1994 and 1996.
Mary Whiteside Groll was an exceptional all-around member of the Knox volleyball team, leading the squad in hitting percentage, digs, passing percentage, kills, and block assists. She returned from a significant injury early in her career to become one of the strongest members of the team. Her ability to play multiple positions and be among the leaders in a wide variety of categories made her an extremely valuable asset on the court. She was named to the All-Midwest Conference team in 1990 and 1991. She was also a team captain in 1990 and 1991, and co-Most Valuable Team Member in 1990. She helped lead the team to the semifinals and a fourth place finish at the Midwest Conference Volleyball Tournament in 1990 and 1991.