Marathon High School is home to yet another Academic All-State athlete in senior multisport phenom Mikkel Ross.
On April 10, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced the 30th annual Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team, a recognition program that honors 24 graduating student-athletes who excel in both athletics and academics. As one of the most important special recognition programs sponsored by the FHSAA, 12 girls and 12 boys from around the state will be awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships.
The award marks the fifth time a Marathon student has been selected to the Academic All-State team in the last four years. In the 29-year history of the award, MHS has had seven athletes make the cut.
“The hard-working men and women of Florida’s dairy industry are honored to recognize the significant accomplishments of these amazing student-athletes,” said Florida Dairy Farmers CEO Michele Cooper. “We’re excited to support a program that has a great tradition of encouraging excellence on the field and in the classroom, and we’re proud to support students that have the special mix of work ethic and determination required to succeed at both.”
Graduating seniors with a minimum 3.5 unweighted grade point average who have earned a minimum of two varsity letters in at least two different sports during their junior and senior years are eligible for the award. The 2024 Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team selection committee evaluated scholarship nominees based on their athletic participation, academic record, extracurricular activities, community service and an essay.
The winners will be recognized at a banquet on Monday, June 3 where they will receive a $1,700 scholarship and a commemorative medallion. Out of the 24 students, one male and one female will be named the Ronald N. Davis Scholar-Athletes of the Year, the FHSAA’s most prestigious honor bestowed on any active student-athlete. The winners of this award will earn a commemorative trophy and an additional $4,600 in scholarship funds – $6,300 in total.
