Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Clay High School Athletic Department will honor Haley Hess, Hannah Hess, Matt Stencil and Grace Winckowski as part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class on Sept. 3 at St. Michael’s Centre in Oregon. They will also be recognized during the annual Hall of Fame football game on Sept. 4 at Clay Memorial Stadium.
This year’s class, which includes a trio of 2016 graduates and one 2015 graduate (Winckowski), will also coincide with Clay High School’s 100th anniversary, which provides an opportunity to celebrate a century of excellence while recognizing four individuals who helped shape the proud tradition of Eagle athletics, according to athletic director Joseph W. Kiss III.
"This Hall of Fame class is especially meaningful to me because I had the opportunity to attend Clay High School alongside these outstanding athletes,” Kiss III said. “I remember watching their performances, celebrating their successes and seeing the impact they had on our school community. Years later, it is an incredible privilege to recognize them as Clay High School's Director of Athletics. Each of them is truly deserving of this honor, and I couldn't be more proud to welcome Haley Hess, Hannah Hess, Matt Stencil and Grace Winckowski into the Clay High School Athletics Hall of Fame. Their accomplishments helped define an unforgettable era of Eagle athletics, and their legacy continues to inspire the student-athletes who wear the Green and Gold today."
Haley Hess
Hess distinguished herself as one of the premier distance athletes in school history while also excelling as a standout multi-sport athlete in cross country, basketball, soccer and track & field.
As a sophomore, Hess qualified for both the OHSAA regional and state championships in cross country and track & field. She earned First Team All-TRAC honors in track and field and was recognized as a First Team All-Ohio performer in the 1600-meter run, signaling the beginning of an extraordinary athletic career.
Throughout her junior and senior seasons, Hess continued to elevate her performance across multiple sports. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-TRAC honors while receiving Honorable Mention All-District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio recognition. In track & field, she remained among the conference's elite, earning multiple First Team All-TRAC selections and concluding her career as a three-time First Team All-Ohio honoree in the 1600-meter run, including a fourth-place finish at the OHSAA State Track & Field Championships as a senior.
Her greatest accomplishments came during cross country, where Hess established herself among the best runners in Ohio. She captured a district championship, earned All-Ohio honors and was twice named the Three Rivers Athletic Conference Runner of the Year. Her consistency, leadership and competitive drive helped define one of the most successful eras in Clay High School distance running.
Over four years, Hess earned varsity letters in cross country, basketball, track & field and soccer while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence both individually and as a teammate. Her remarkable accomplishments across multiple sports, highlighted by conference championships, district titles, state competition and numerous All-Ohio honors, have secured her place among the most accomplished student-athletes in Clay High School history.
Hannah Hess
A gifted multi-sport athlete, Hess excelled in soccer, cross country, basketball and track & field, earning recognition as one of the premier competitors in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference throughout her high school career.
Hess began her varsity career lettering in soccer and track & field during the 2012-2013 school year, earning First Team All-TRAC honors in track & field. She continued to build on that success over the next three seasons, lettering in cross country, basketball and track & field while consistently competing at a high level in each sport.
On the basketball court, Hannah developed into one of the area's elite players. During her junior season, she earned First Team All-TRAC and First Team All-District honors while also receiving Honorable Mention All-Ohio recognition. As a senior, she elevated her game even further, earning First Team All-TRAC and First Team All-District honors once again before being named the District 7 Player of the Year, First Team All-Northwest Ohio by the Associated Press and First Team All-Ohio. Her accomplishments reflected both her individual excellence and her impact on one of Clay's outstanding basketball teams.
In addition to her success on the court, Hess was a consistent performer in both cross country and track & field. She earned multiple First Team All-TRAC honors in track & field and was recognized as a Second Team All-TRAC selection in cross country during both her junior and senior seasons, demonstrating her versatility and dedication across multiple athletic seasons.
Throughout her career, Hess earned varsity letters in four sports while representing Clay High School with exceptional competitiveness, leadership and sportsmanship. Her achievements across basketball, cross country, track & field and soccer exemplify the well-rounded excellence celebrated by the Clay High School Athletics Hall of Fame.
Matt Stencil
A standout competitor in both football and wrestling, Stencil established himself as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the history of Clay High School through a career defined by consistency, championship performances and success on the state's biggest stage.
Stencil earned two varsity letters in football while making his greatest impact as a four-year letter winner in wrestling. Throughout his high school career, he demonstrated remarkable consistency by capturing four consecutive Three Rivers Athletic Conference Championships, an achievement that placed him among the conference's all-time elite.
His success continued into postseason competition, where he claimed two OHSAA district championships and earned All-Ohio honors three consecutive years from 2014-16. As a senior, Stencil was recognized as the Three Rivers Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Year, a testament to both his individual excellence and his leadership within one of the state's premier wrestling programs.
Stencil’s career reached its pinnacle during his junior and senior seasons when he captured back-to-back OHSAA state wrestling championships in 2015 and 2016. Winning consecutive state titles is among the highest achievements in Ohio high school athletics and reflects the dedication, perseverance and competitive excellence that defined his career at Clay High School.
Through four years of championship performances, Stencil represented Clay High School with determination, discipline and pride. His accomplishments at the conference, district and state levels have secured his place among the finest wrestlers to wear the Eagle uniform.
Grace Winckowski
A standout student-athlete in both volleyball and track & field, Winckowski left an indelible mark on Clay athletics through her record of excellence and historic achievements.
Grace earned three varsity letters in volleyball, receiving Second Team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference honors during the 2014 season. While she enjoyed success on the volleyball court, it was on the track where she established herself as one of the most accomplished athletes in school history.
A four-year varsity letter winner in track & field, Winckowski steadily developed into one of Ohio's premier hurdlers. After earning Honorable Mention All-TRAC honors as a freshman, she was selected First Team All-TRAC in each of her final three seasons. Her dominance extended beyond conference competition, as she captured district and regional championships in both 2014 and 2015 while earning All-Ohio honors in the 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles in consecutive seasons.
The defining moment of Winckowski’s career came in 2015 when she captured the OHSAA state championship in the 300-meter hurdles, becoming the first female athlete in Clay High School history to win an individual state championship in any sport. Her achievement marked a historic milestone for the athletic department and established a legacy that continues to inspire future generations of Eagle student-athletes.
Winckowski's excellence extended beyond athletic competition as she was also recognized as a Wescott Award recipient, honoring her outstanding achievements in athletics, academics, leadership and character.
Through her dedication, perseverance and historic accomplishments, Winckowski helped elevate the standard of excellence for Clay High School athletics.
Celebrating Eagle tradition
The Clay High School Athletics Hall of Fame exists to recognize former student-athletes, coaches, administrators and contributors whose achievements have brought distinction to Clay High School and have positively impacted generations of Eagles.
The Clay High School Athletic Department congratulates Haley Hess, Hannah Hess, Matt Stencil and Grace Winckowski on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to celebrating their accomplishments during Hall of Fame Weekend on Sept. 3-4 as the Clay High School community proudly celebrates 100 years of Eagle excellence.
