Students from Sickles, Jefferson, and Plant High Schools are honored for their athleticism, academics, and community achievements
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and longtime Hillsborough County resident Wade Boggs joined the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, June 18, to present the Board's prestigious 2025 Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award.
Established in 2005 and named in honor of the National Baseball Hall of Famer, the award recognizes student athletes who have demonstrated drive, determination, and leadership in their sport and their daily lives.
This year's winner is Jordan Yost of Sickles High School, who holds two of his school's top records: most hits in a career and most runs scored. A first-team Western Conference for two years and Florida Athletic Coaches Association's Player of the Year and an All-Star, he graduated with an unweighted GPA of 3.98 and a weighted 5.90. Additionally, Yost is the Sickles Scholar Athlete Award winner for 2024-25, earning Principal's and Honor Rolls selections for three and four years, respectively. His community service included 50 hours of volunteering in a food pantry serving food to the homeless, 75 hours spent mentoring other players at Keystone Baseball Camp, and was the captain for the Sickles Baseball Team's Family Adoptions for the holidays. Yost has accepted a full scholarship to the University of Florida, and he is expected to be selected high in the upcoming Major League Draft.
Ja'Marques Benton and Cash Strayer received Honorable Mentions. As a four-year starter for the Jefferson High School Dragons, Benton's athletic achievements include being a state semifinalist, a regional champion and MVP, a two-time district champion, and a two-time All-Western Conference player. His personal growth, 3.2 GPA, and skills on the field earned him a Division I scholarship to Florida A&M. Strayer was Plant High School's team MVP in 2025 and the year before. After graduating with a cumulative 6.0 GPA, Strayer's goal is to be an engineer and he will be attending the University of Florida to continue his education and play baseball.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners presents the annual Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award to a Hillsborough County high school baseball player or team who has made significant contributions in athletics, academics, and community service. For more information, visit the Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award page.
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