Winner from Sickles High School; Honorable Mentions from Jefferson and Plant
Hillsborough County, Fla. (June 18, 2025) - The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners recognized three outstanding student-athletes with the 19th annual Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award and two Honorable Mentions during today's meeting.
The Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award honors a high school baseball player or team in Hillsborough County who displays outstanding athletic, scholastic, and community achievements.
The 2025 Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award winner is Jordan Yost of Sickles High School. This past season, Yost batted an astounding .420, with four home runs, 42 hits, and 26 runs batted in, and scored a whopping 42 runs for the Gryphons. In addition, he stole 28 bases and struck out just once all season in 34 games. Yost, a shortstop who holds Sickles' records for most hits in a career and runs scored, was first-team All-Western Conference for two years, and is the 2025 Florida Athletic Coaches Association's Player of the Year. In addition, Yost is the Sickles Scholar Athlete Award winner for 2024-25, regularly earning Principal's and Honor Roll selections. His community service includes 50 hours of volunteering in a food pantry serving food to the homeless. Yost was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Florida and is expected to be a high pick in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft.
Honorable Mentions went to Ja'Marques Benton of Jefferson and Cash Strayer from Plant.
A four-year starter who played multiple positions for the Jefferson Dragons, Benton's athletic career includes being a state semifinalist, a regional champion and MVP, a two-time district champion, and a two-time All-Western Conference player. He volunteers his time with young athletes, helping them to reach their potential. Benton's 3.2 GPA and baseball skills earned him a scholarship to Florida A&M.
Strayer, a centerfielder and two-time Plant Panthers' team MVP, hit .389 with 35 hits, eight home runs, six doubles, and 21 runs-batted-in last season. He scored 39 runs, breaking the Panthers' single-season record. Strayer helped lead the Panthers to three district titles, two State Final Four appearances, and a State runner-up. He has volunteered at baseball camps and helped feed the homeless. Graduating with a cumulative 6.0 GPA, Strayer will attend the University of Florida to play ball and continue his studies.
About the Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award
The Board of County Commissioners established the award in 2005 in honor of first-ballot National Baseball Hall of Fame member Wade Boggs. A resident of the Tampa Bay area since he was a child, Boggs is a 12-time All Star who ended his 18-year Major League Baseball career as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who retired his number 12 in 2000. The Boston Red Sox also honored Boggs when they retired his number 26 in 2016. His career statistics include 3,010 hits, 1,513 runs, 578 doubles, 61 triples, 118 home runs, 1,014 runs batted in, and a batting average of .328. He reached base safely in 80% of his 2,432 career games. For more information, visit the Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award page.
Link: Photos from today's Wade Boggs Achievement Award ceremony