Wade Boggs, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Hillsborough County's own, stood with the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners this Wednesday to honor a young athlete with a prestigious accolade. The 2025 Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award, a long-standing tradition since 2005 applauds the conscientious student-athlete who exemplifies an unwavering commitment in sports and everyday life. This year's recipient, Jordan Yost from Sickles High School, has not only shattered records but also set a new standard for excellence.
Bursting through the ceiling with a 3.98 unweighted GPA and a 5.90 weighted score, Yost's academic prowess parallels his athletic abilities. He is a Sickles Scholar Athlete Award winner and has landed Principal's and Honor Rolls for three and four years, respectively. While maintaining an impressive statistic in the field—owning two top records for most career hits and runs at Sickles High—he also devoted his time off the field, volunteering at a food pantry and mentoring younger athletes, all while helming his team's charitable efforts during the holidays. According to Hillsborough County's newsroom, Yost has gracefully accepted a full ride to the University of Florida, and is on the radar for the upcoming Major League Draft.
The Board also gave nods to Ja'Marques Benton and Cash Strayer, both honorable mentions, demonstrating that the pursuit of greatness in both academics and athletics is alive in Hillsborough County. Benton, a four-year starter for the Jefferson High School Dragons, not only carries a legacy of athletic success – being a state semifinalist and a regional champion – but also bears the mark of personal growth with a 3.2 GPA, securing a Division I scholarship to Florida A&M. Being Plant High School's team MVP in 2025 and the year before, Strayer not only impressed on the diamond but also graduated with a monumental 6.0 GPA. His ambitions set in engineering, he looks to the University of Florida to forge his path both in his studies and in baseball.
The Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award reinforces the ideal that excellence isn't confined to a single facet of life. It weaves through our endeavors, crafting individuals who stand out not just in their chosen field but also in their service to community and commitment to personal growth. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners remains dedicated to celebrating such young heroes who balance the seams of discipline and responsibility, the very ethos of competitiveness, and compassion. Anyone interested in learning more about the award and its past recipients can hit up the Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award page.
