Today is March 3, 2026, and excitement is brewing in Liberty County as the Florida Power and Light Athlete of the Week poll is back! Fans and readers are encouraged to participate in the voting process, which runs from February 23 to February 28. Last week, Bozeman’s own Carlee Smith took home the title, racking up an impressive 7,132 votes.

The nominated athletes are selected based on coach nominations and standout performances from recent games. This week’s spotlight also shines on local sports events, including the North Bay Haven Boys Wrestling team, which is sending five athletes to the state tournament. Additionally, the Lady Bucs have been making headlines with three players hitting home runs in a decisive victory over Liberty County.

Get Involved!

As a community, it’s crucial to rally behind our athletes. Votes are unlimited, so make sure to cast yours before the deadline on Friday, March 6, at noon. And don’t forget to share the poll on your social media to encourage your friends and fellow sports fans to participate!

Sports reporting in our area is spearheaded by Banji Bamidele of the Panama City News Herald, who keeps us all updated on the latest happenings and achievements. This engagement helps foster a vibrant community spirit around our local athletes and encourages young talents to strive for excellence.

The Bigger Picture

While we celebrate our local sports achievements, it’s interesting to note how sports culture varies around the world. For instance, in Germany, the most popular sport in 2024 is soccer, attracting 28.3% of the population’s interest. Other notable sports include ski jumping and handball, showing a diverse sporting landscape. According to a comprehensive study conducted by the Allensbacher Markt- und Werbeträgeranalyse (AWA), which has been ongoing since 1959, the German population also enjoys watching sports broadcasts, with around 16.54 million people tuning in regularly.

As we cheer for our local athletes, let’s also appreciate the global context of sports and how it unites people, whether it’s through local competitions here in Liberty County or the thrilling matches happening across the globe.

So, get your votes in for the Florida Power and Light Athlete of the Week and show our athletes the support they deserve!