Keswick earn honor for its sportsmanship

By BOB PUTNAM
Published May 25, 2006

Keswick Christian runs one of the nicest high school athletic programs in the state. Boys and girls athletes routinely show up on the honor roll, and the school's teams always can be counted on to do well.

And in case anyone hasn't noticed, the Crusaders do more than just win. They also make a habit of displaying sportsmanship.

For that, they were rewarded.

Keswick Christian was one of 12 schools honored with the Florida High School Athletic Association's Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award.

The Crusaders were named a sectional winner (Class 2A, Section 3) and will receive a commemorative plaque and $500. Freeport was the overall 2A winner.

"It was a nice surprise," said Keswick Christian athletic director Karrmayne King, who also is the school's volleyball and girls basketball coach.

"This is the first time the school has even been nominated."

According to the FHSAA, schools can be nominated by other schools or by officials organizations.

Nominated schools then are evaluated by a five-person committee, which selects up to four sectional winners from each classification.

If no schools from a section are nominated or the committee doesn't believe any nominated schools deserve the sectional award, it can leave a section vacant.

King said Tampa Prep nominated Keswick Christian.

Sectional award winners and state finalists are: Oviedo and Durant in 6A, Ocala Forest and Venice in 5A, Bradenton Braden River in 4A, Fort White and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney in 3A and Monticello Aucilla Christian, Hernando Christian and Deerfield Beach Zion Lutheran in A.

[Last modified May 25, 2006, 00:55:15]