CJ Athletic Hall of Fame to Celebrate the Class of 2020

Chaminade Julienne is excited for the opportunity to celebrate eight new inductees to the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2020 honorees, announced early last year, will be recognized during in-person events planned for February 4th and 5th, 2022. New class members will be introduced during the men’s varsity basketball game CJ vs. Fenwick Friday night, and then will guests of honor at a reception and induction ceremony on Saturday. Those joining the Hall include: Todd Barhorst ‘10, Micaela Cronin ‘10, Christian Myton ‘09, Joe Staley ‘10, Madeline Kaminski ‘10, Matt Vest ‘10, Samarie Walker ‘10, and Bill Cheslock (special award).

It’s more than records and recognition, the Chaminade Julienne Athletic Hall of Fame is about reconnecting.

Established in 1980, the Athletic Hall of Fame has inducted more than 300 people over the past four decades whose achievements as student athletes, coaches, or supporters has been exceptional. While their athletic accomplishments vary, the gratitude of the inductees is a constant.

“Everyone is so humbled and so appreciative,” committee chairperson Mike Raiff ‘79 said. “And what’s amazing is that CJ has such a rich athletic tradition that there is never a shortage of deserving athletes.”

This year is no exception with seven athletes and one coach earning induction this year. They join decades of inductees who have made their mark as Eagle athletes. The CJ Athletic Hall of Fame was established just seven years after the merger of Chaminade and Julienne high schools in 1973.

“It began as a way to bring the alumni together through athletic accomplishments,” Raiff said. “It was a way to recognize and celebrate the athletes.”

While more than a decade has passed since any of this year’s inductees suited up for the Eagles, the memories remain and, in many cases, are reignited by becoming a Hall of Fame member.

“I know the Hall of Fame has reconnected folks with their alma mater,” Raiff said. “And it also connects them with the many accomplished.

SPORTS: Baseball and soccer

VARSITY LETTERS: 3 baseball, 3 soccer

The multi-sport athlete earned Greater Catholic League Player of the Year honors in baseball and was also a defensive force on the soccer field. Barhorst tallied a .435 career batting average and had posted a school record on-base percentage (.584) when he

graduated. He was tied for the highest season batting average with .506 and season record for triples with eight.

SPORT: Golf

VARSITY LETTERS: 4

Achievements: A medalist in 15 of 47 matches, the three-time team MVP consistently scored in the Top 4. The All-State golfer holds the school record for nine holes with 34 and led the Eagles

to a Top 6 finish in the State Championship in 2009. Cronin, a first-team Academic All-

Ohio selection as a senior, earned a Division I scholarship to Cleveland State University where she golfed for the Vikings.

SPORTS: Golf and swimming

VARSITY LETTERS: 4 golf, 4 swimming, 1 track

Excelling on the greens and in the pool, Kaminski was a medalist in 21 of 47 matches and was a three-time swim team MVP. The former Southern Ohio PGA Junior Player of the Year holds the school record for 18 holes with 76 and consistently scored in the Top 4. The All-Ohio golfer earned a Division I scholarship to Cleveland State University.

SPORT: Soccer

VARSITY LETTERS: 4

The four-time first-team All- GCL player scored more than 30 goals as an Eagle, ranking him as one of the Top 5 scorers in school history. Myton’s success on the soccer field was also recognized by the Miami Valley Coaches Association as a three-time first-team honoree. He went on to become a Bearcat after his time as an Eagle, playing four years for the

University of Cincinnati.

SPORT: Basketball

VARSITY LETTERS: 4

The GCL North Player of the Year (2010) is fifth in all-time scoring for the Eagles with 1,012 points and second in field goal percentage at .608. Staley also tallied 457 career rebounds. The Flyin’ to the Hoop All Star garnered many accolades including landing on the All-State, Dayton Daily News and District 15 first teams.

SPORT: Basketball

VARSITY LETTERS: 2

In two years of varsity play, Vest tallied 438 points. Steady under pressure, Vest shot .793 from the free-throw line and posted a .438 percentage from three-point range. Vest led the Eagles with 29 points in a hard-fought upset win over No. 1 ranked Moeller – the first win against the Crusaders in 15 years. The first-team All-State player went on to compete for Wright State University.

Samarie Walker ‘10

SPORT: Basketball

VARSITY LETTERS: 4

The Gatorade Player of the Year and McDonald’s High School All-American ranks second in all-time scoring (1,720) and rebounds (1,075) in school history. The two-time GGCL Player of the Year also tallied 191 career assists and 132 career steals. The District Player of the Year began her collegiate basketball career at the University of Connecticut before transferring to the University of Kentucky

Special Award

The Miami Valley Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame member coached the Eagles to 97 wins during his tenure. Cheslock guided the Eagles to five consecutive sectional championship titles between 1982-86, advancing to the regional semifinals twice. He earned MVBCA Coach of the Year honors in 1983 and 1985.