HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners recognized three outstanding student-athletes with the 18th 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 2024 Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award winner is Cooper Hinson of Bloomingdale High.
Read: Tampa Spartans Seek Ninth National Title
A two-time Perfect Game High School All-American and two-time All-Western Conference First Team, Hinson led Bloomingdale to the State Final Four this season. He hit a whopping .448 this season, with 39 hits, 34 runs scored, 19 batted in, 10 doubles, and two home runs.
Academically and community-wise, his achievements are equally impressive: a 5.84 GPA, four-year membership of the National Honor Society, and Bloomingdale Booster Scholar-Athlete Award recipient.
He has volunteered with Best Buddies and Meals on Wheels and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, among other organizations.
In addition, Hinson co-founded the Bloomingdale Basketball and Whiffle Ball leagues for students. He will attend Marshall University, play baseball, and pursue a law degree.
Read: Three USF Undrafted Free Agents Made NFL Teams Since Program Last Had Player Drafted
Honorable Mentions went to Demetrios Passalaris of Leto High and Blaine Rowland from Durant.
Passalaris was Leto’s top pitcher his junior and senior years. This season, he had a 3-2 record, with 55 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched and a 3.5 ERA.
The last two seasons combined, he recorded over 70 strikeouts. The team’s captain and leader, Passalaris had a cumulative grade point average of 7.5 and earned an associate in arts degree his senior year. He will attend Florida State University.
Rowland lettered in baseball all four years at Durant, and was All-County in both pitching and outfield last year. He set the regular season hit record for the school, was 6-0 in 43 innings pitched, with 73 strikeouts and a 1.46 ERA, while hitting .541. He drove in 26 runs and had two homeruns.
Rowland, a National Honor Society member and part of Durant’s Honor Court, will attend the University of Florida, where he will play baseball.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.