This was Spain Park’s second time meeting the Sportsmanship Award criteria. Westminster OM also won a Sportsmanship Award for the 10th time in its school’s history. While it was not selected for a Sportsmanship Grant, the school was recognized for the award at the banquet and received a banner commemorating the honor.
Westminster OM is one of 22 schools that have received a Sportsmanship Award at least 10 years, with Alabama School for the Blind leading the way with 16 awards. The AHSAA lists 136 schools as having received at least one Sportsmanship Award.
The Knights won the Class 4A boys soccer state title in 2026 plus took home runner-up honors in Class 3A boys outdoor track and field and third in boys indoor track and field. Westminster also made a run to the quarterfinals in Class 4A girls soccer.
Spain Park was one of just five schools in the former Class 6A to receive a Sportsmanship Award, joining Fort Payne, Oxford, Pike Road and Russell County. SPHS was the only school from Class 6A, District 5 to receive the honor.
The Jags had a successful year across multiple sports, earning runner-up honors in baseball while reaching the Final Four in softball, volleyball and flag football, Elite Eight in boys basketball and state tournament in boys golf.
“Going through an entire school year without an ejection in any contest is a major accomplishment,” AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon said in a statement. “We are proud of our schools who reached this milestone in 2025-26. These schools show all our schools that reaching this goal is possible.”