St. Xavier High School is proud to announce that the 2026 St. Xavier Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Night will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The event will include the induction of six new members into the Athletic Hall of Fame at the 42nd annual event. The keynote speaker for the night will be FOX Sports Analyst and Former Notre Dame and NFL Quarterback Brady Quinn.
Sponsorship opportunities & tickets are now available! For more information, go to: https://www.stxavier.org/athletics/halloffame
The 2026 inductees include:
Justin Hilliard '15 – Football
Cole Jones '15 – Football & Wrestling
Andy Klare '87 – Baseball & Football
Evan Stifel '14 – Cross Country & Track & Field
Craig Wales '97 – Swimming
Chris Weber '10 – Bowling
Justin Hilliard '15 – Football
Justin Hilliard is regarded as one of the most dominant defensive players in St. Xavier football history. A five-star national recruit, he was ranked the No. 1 outside linebacker in the country by ESPN and a top-50 overall prospect across all major recruiting services. Across his standout junior and senior seasons, he posted more than 140 tackles, nine sacks, and seven pass breakups while leading the Bombers to a 10-3 record and a 2014 state semifinal appearance. That year, he was named Division I Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, was a Dick Butkus Award finalist (the nation's top high school linebacker), and earned U.S. Army All-American honors. Hilliard continued his career at Ohio State, appearing in 50 games, serving as a 2020 team captain, earning Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recognition, and recording 84 tackles and 9.0 tackles for loss. Hilliard also contributed significantly on special teams throughout his collegiate career — exemplifying perseverance, leadership, and elite athleticism.
Cole Jones '15 – Football & Wrestling
Cole Jones stands as one of the finest two-sport athletes in St. Xavier history, leaving a lasting impact in both football and wrestling. A three-year starter at linebacker for the Bombers, he recorded 265 career tackles and 15 sacks. His leadership and relentless play earned him recognition as Team Captain and Team MVP his senior year, along with 1st Team All-GCL and 1st Team All-District honors. His junior season brought 2nd Team All-GCL recognition, reflecting consistent excellence and leadership. On the wrestling mat, Cole's dominance was equally remarkable, competing all four years and capturing the 2015 Ohio State Championship at 220 lbs. with an undefeated 41-0 senior season. His other achievements include being named 2015 GCL Wrestler of the Year, earning three All-GCL First Team selections, placing fourth at the 2014 state championships, and receiving All-GCL Second Team honors in 2014.
Andy Klare '87 – Baseball & Football
Andy Klare exemplified athletic excellence during his time at St. Xavier High School, earning accolades in both football and baseball. A dominant two-way starter in 1986, he played offensive tackle and defensive nose tackle for the Bombers, earning both St. Xavier Defensive and Offensive Lineman of the Year awards and the Tim Banker Award the same year. He also earned 1st Team GCL honors on both sides of the ball, GCL Defensive Lineman of the Year, and 1st Team Southwest Ohio Football recognition. Klare continued his football career at Boston College, and continued to excel while he was a four-year letterman from 1987 to 1991. In baseball, he was a varsity starter and the team's catcher in 1985 and 1986, Klar earned 1st Team GCL honors in 1985 and 1st Team Southwest Ohio recognition in 1986.
Evan Stifel '14 – Cross Country & Track & Field
Evan Stifel was a three-year letterman in both cross country and track and field at St. Xavier, earning First Team GCL and First Team All-City honors three times each and winning the GCL title in the 3200 meters for track and field. As a senior, he achieved First Team All-State honors in cross country, won the Nike Cross Regional individual championship, and helped lead St. Xavier to back-to-back state titles. He also contributed to the state record-holding 4x800 relay team and ranks third in school history in the 3200 meters (9:07.96) and fifth in the 5000 meters cross country (15:14). Evan continued his career at Belmont University before transferring to Ohio State University, where he lettered for three years in both cross country and track. He earned First Team All-Big Ten in cross country in 2016 and All-Great Lakes Region honors in the same year. He also served as Ohio State University's team captain from 2017 to 2019.
Craig Wales '97 – Swimming
Craig Wales was a four-year standout for St. Xavier Swimming, helping lead the Bombers to three state titles (1994, 1995, 1997). The 1997 State Meet High Point Scorer, he won the 100 butterfly, anchored the winning 400 freestyle relay, and earned seven career top-four state finishes. Wales was a 10-time All-American, First Team Enquirer All-Star, team captain, and St. X's Most Valuable Swimmer as a senior. Craig also excelled for M.E. Lyons YMCA, winning six national titles and contributing to five consecutive YMCA National Championships. At Princeton University, he continued his success as a two-time All-Ivy honoree, 11-time EISL scorer, team captain, and recipient of the War Memorial Trophy, culminating a career defined by excellence, leadership, and championship achievement.
Chris Weber '10 – Bowling
Chris is the most accomplished bowler to emerge from St. Xavier, earning Enquirer Bowler of the Year, All-City Team honors, and a spot on the High School All-American Team in 2010. He holds St. X records for career pin total (37,406), highest single-season GCL average (228.3), and highest single-season all-events average (221.8). Chris helped lead the Bombers to state appearances in 2007 (13th) and 2009 (7th), while contributing to GCL titles in 2008, 2009, and 2010, as well as three sectional championships and a district championship from 2007–2010. He was twice named GCL Player of the Year, earned three consecutive GCL First Team selections, and made the Enquirer All-City First Team in 2009 and 2010. Chris continued his career at Ohio State, later serving as head coach from 2015–2017 and guiding the program to multiple championships.
