The YMS Track and Field team shows off their medals during the 2025-26 school year. [Photo courtesy Yearling Middle School]

OKEECHOBEE — Yearling Middle School won an award from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) for their sportsmanship for the 2025-26 school year.

YMS was announced as the middle school winner of the Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for the 2025-26 school year. The award recognizes schools that promote sportsmanship both on and off the field, and whose athletic teams demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the regular season and playoffs.

Twelve high schools and two middle schools received the award this year. Winning schools received a commemorative plaque and $2,500.

While Yearling took home the top prize, Crystal River Middle School won runners-up. Yearling also won the sportsmanship award from the FHSAA last year, with Inverness Middle taking the runners-up spot.

“It is our privilege to once again recognize and celebrate the outstanding sportsmanship demonstrated by our member schools,” said Craig Damon, FHSAA Executive Director. “Their student-athletes, coaches, administrators, parents, and fans consistently model respect, integrity, and character, reflecting the very best of educational athletics. On behalf of the FHSAA, I congratulate each of these deserving schools for their commitment to fostering a culture of sportsmanship and for the exceptional work they do in shaping the lives of student-athletes across Florida.”

The award, presented annually since 1991, is named in honor of FHSAA Commissioner Emeritus Fred E. Rozelle. Criteria for selection of the winners includes programs and activities implemented within the school and community to promote sportsmanship; the number and type of exceptional sportsmanship reports; and the source of the nomination.