ALLIANCE, OHIO – (Feb. 2, 2026) – The Alliance High School Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome seven new members during a ceremony set to take place on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 pm in the AHS Auditorium.
The inductees will include Will Rose ‘20, Gavin Bruni ‘21, Michael Murray ‘92, Richard Murray, Charlie Winner, Larry Kinnard Jr. ‘00, and Daijana Johnson ‘16.
“The Alliance High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026 represents the very best of what it means to be an Aviator,” said Tim Goodman, ACS athletic director. “This group includes elite student-athletes who competed at the highest levels, coaches and leaders who shaped our programs, and individuals whose service and commitment have had a lasting impact on Alliance Athletics. Their achievements span championships, records, national recognition, and decades of leadership and volunteerism. We are proud to celebrate not only their success, but the example they set for our current and future student athletes.”
This year’s inductees were selected by the Alliance High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee, which is composed of former Alliance High School coaches and athletes.
Will Rose ‘20 is a Four-Time State Champion in swimming. He is the current AHS record holder in every individual swimming event and relay. His accomplishments include Eight-Time All American distinction, Eight-Time District Champion and Four-Time Stark County Swimmer of the Year. He also swam collegiately at Arizona State University.
Gavin Bruni ‘21 played baseball which earned him All American and All Ohio distinction. He was the 2021 PBR Ohio Pitcher of the Year, a Two-Time EBC Baseball Player of the Year and Three-Year Letter Winner at the Ohio State University. Bruni was drafted in the MLB by the Washington Nationals.
Michael Murray ‘92 played basketball where he was named First-Team All Stark County, First-Team District 4, First-Team All Federal League, AHS All-Time Career Free Thrower and Second Most Three Pointers In A Season. He was a Four-Year Letter Winner for Mount Union Men’s Basketball and the Mount Union Career Assist Leader. Michael was also the Head Basketball Coach at Rocky River High School with over 350 varsity wins earning GCBA Coach of the Year twice and Conference Coach of the Year seven times.
Richard Murray is a former Coach, Athletic Director and Principal at AHS. He was the 1992 Girls Track Stark County Coach of the Year, Two-Time District Champion, coached a Two-Time Girls High Jump Champion and coached a Boys Golf State Qualifier. As the Athletic Director, he assisted with the creation of the Top Gun Wrestling Tournament.
Charlie Winner served as membership chair of the Aviator Sports Boosters. He was a vital contributor to the Bean Gansel Scholarship and installed and maintained essential systems to multiple AHS athletic facilities, including the creation of the AHS Wrestling Room. Winner was the recipient of the OHSAA State Award for his countless hours of volunteer work for Aviator Athletics.
Larry Kinnard ‘00 participated in football, boys basketball and track and field. He received Football Honorable Mention All-Ohio, Two-Time All District, Three-Time All Federal League and Track and Field Three-Time All Federal League. At Mount Union, he was a Four-Year Letter Winner, Three-Time National Champion, Two-Time All American, Three-Time All OAC, OAC Mike Gregory Award Winner and member of M-Club.
Daijana Johnson ‘16 participated in track and field, cheerleading, girls basketball and girls soccer. She is the AHS 100-Meter Record Holder, Three-Time 100-Meter Regional Finalist, Two-Time District 100-Meter Champion, Two-Time Stark County 100-Meter Champion, Three-Time Regional Finalist, 4x1 Stark County Champion, Two-Time 4x1 District Champion, Two-Time NBC 4x1 Champion and AHS 4x1 Record Holder. Johnson also received the following distinctions: Girls Basketball All Stark County and All Conference and Girls Soccer All Stark County and All District.
The induction ceremony on Feb. 5 is free to attend and open to the public. The inductees will also be recognized during halftime at the Varsity Boys Basketball game on Friday, Feb. 6. Tickets will need to be purchased to attend the game.
For more information about Alliance City Schools or Aviator Athletics, visit www.alliancecityschools.org.