Wildcats Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Hazelwood West High School

Sports run deep in Hazelwood, and Hazelwood West High SchoolL has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Wildcats uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Hazelwood West High SchoolL who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. Darius Cooper – NFL Wide Receiver (Philadelphia Eagles)

Cooper is a rising NFL wide receiver who attended Hazelwood West High School in Missouri before starring at Tarleton State University, where he became the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards and 100-yard games, including a standout 2024 season with 1,450 yards and 14 touchdowns. After going undrafted in 2025, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and has impressed in preseason, working to earn a role on the active roster while contributing on special teams. (Sources: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Relative Athletic Score, TarletonSports.com)

2. Justin Robinson – Olympic Sprinter (Team USA)

Robinson is an elite 400-meter sprinter who attended Hazelwood West High School in Missouri, where he led the Wildcats to a state championship and set world-youth marks with historic sub-45-second times. He continued his success at Arizona State University, earning multiple national medals and has competed globally for Team USA, helping set a world record in the mixed 4×400m relay at the World Athletics Championships. (Sources: STLToday.com, TrackandFieldNew.com)

3. Jeffrey Wittmer – Star Weightlifter

Wittmer is an accomplished American weightlifter who attended Hazelwood West High School, graduating in 2003 before training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Competing in the 94 kg class, he won multiple national championships, earned Pan American medals and placed 5th at the 2007 Pan American Games. After narrowly missing the 2008 Olympics, Wittmer transitioned to coaching and education, teaching seminars and instructing at CrossFit gyms while residing in Wentzville, Missouri. (Sources: IWF.net, Wittmer Rejuvenation Clinic)

4. Dana Vahey – Softball Star

Vahey is an accomplished American softball standout from Hazelwood West High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where she excelled in multiple sports before going on to star at Webster University. As a catcher for the Webster softball team, she earned NFCA Scholar‑Athlete All‑American honors, was named SLIAC Softball Player of the Year and Tournament MVP and helped lead her team to three conference championships while setting career records in hits and runs. After graduating with honors, Vahey was inducted into the Webster University Athletics Hall of Fame and later served in the U.S. Air Force in emergency management, continuing her legacy of leadership and commitment on and off the field. (Sources: WebsterAthletics.com, WashU.edu)

5. David Phelps – MLB Pitcher (various teams)

Phelps is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who attended Hazelwood West High School in Missouri before playing at the University of Notre Dame and being selected in the 2008 MLB Draft. Over a 10-season MLB career, he appeared in 367 games for eight teams, including the Yankees, Marlins, Mariners, Cubs, Brewers, Phillies and Blue Jays, compiling a 3.80 ERA as both a starter and reliever. Phelps retired in January 2023. (Sources: ESPN.com, SportsNet.ca)

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