WEST PALM BEACH — The stage was set, and the stars took their seats in anticipation.

The 2022 Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards Show was held live on Wednesday evening at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts - Dreyfoos Hall, as The Palm Beach Post recognized a number of the top student-athletes from the school year.

As the lights dimmed in the theater, the athletes glided down the hall in their best attire, a stark contrast to the helmets, gloves and numbered uniforms they had worn throughout the season.

One sport at a time, nominees were recognized before the top male and female athlete in each category was called to the front to accept their plaque in front of thunderous applause from families and teammates.

“It’s an honor to be here tonight,” said Benjamin middle linebacker Mason Thomason. “Out of all the nominees, it really is an honor to be one of them.”

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To cap off the show, former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, a three-time National Football League Hall of Fame finalist, took the stage alongside The Post’s Hal Habib to talk about his journey as a successful athlete, sharing valuable insights with the audience.

“Especially at this age, there is a window that these kids have, going into college, that either makes their path in life harder or makes it easier. It’s all choices they can make.”

Despite his success as a 13-year NFL veteran, Thomas began by acknowledging that he wasn’t the fastest or the strongest athlete who took the field — but that’s where preparation took over, something he stressed to the athletes in the audience about to embark on their college journeys.

“Hopefully they got something from the message that can help them,” Thomas said. “Just one word or one phrase to help them in the future to be successful in whatever they want to do.”

2021-22 Palm Beach Post

All-County Award Winners

Fall  

Boys Bowling – Nathan Bray, West Boca Raton

Girls Bowling – Ayla Helmle, Spanish River

Boys Cross Country – Ryan Douihech, West Boca Raton

Girls Cross Country – Emma O'Day, Boca Raton

Boys Golf – Alex Heard, Boca Raton

Girls Golf – Andie Smith, Benjamin

Football Offensive – Ahmad Haston, Palm Beach Central

Football Defensive – Deejay Holmes Jr., Pahokee

Boys Swimming & Diving – Josh Zuchowski, King's Academy

Girls Swimming & Diving – Aspen Gersper, St. Andrew's

Girls Volleyball – Vivian Miller, Jupiter

Winter

Boys Basketball – Caleb Mackrey, Olympic Heights

Girls Basketball – Kendra Bentley, Santaluces

Boys Soccer – Sheamus Semco, Palm Beach Central

Girls Soccer – Julia Ziegenfuss, Dwyer

Girls Weightlifting – Ximena Carrera, Palm Beach Gardens

Boys Wrestling – Mikey Tal Shahar, American Heritage-Delray

Spring

Baseball – Jayden Hylton, Palm Beach Gardens

Softball – Luna Curran, Oxbridge Academy

Flag Football – Gianna Pacitti, Spanish River

Boys Lacrosse – Sean Jordan, St. Andrew's

Girls Lacrosse – Casey Roberts, American Heritage-Delray

Boys Tennis – George Kosseifi, American Heritage-Delray

Girls Tennis – Santianna Chrysopoulo, St. Andrew's

Boys Track and Field – Micah Mays, Benjamin

Girls Track and Field – Jada Smith, Palm Beach Central

Boys Volleyball – Brayden Green, Park Vista

Boys Water Polo -- Max Zelikov, Boca Raton

Girls Water Polo -- Julia Allen, Boca Raton

Boys Weightlifting – Tyler Park, Olympic Heights

Premier Awards 

Courage Award – Rebekah Smith, Seminole Ridge

Best Band Fan Favorite – "Spirit of Jupiter," Jupiter High School

Boys Athlete of the Year – Josh Zuchowski, King's Academy

Girls Athlete of the Year – Mya Quinn, Spanish River

Coach of the Year – Maria Hudson, Seminole Ridge

Team of the Year – Benjamin boys track and field

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Post All-County Player of the Year winners released for 2022