It was a night to remember for Lee County sports legends, as the school district honored the newest class of the Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.
Nine inductees were recognized during Thursday’s ceremony, representing generations of local athletic excellence — from high school heroes to professional champions.
"This is one of the top classes that I can remember going in," said Fort Myers head football coach Sammy Sirianni Jr.
Markihe Anderson , a four-sport athlete at Dunbar High School, went on to become a two-time national champion with the University of Florida football team.
"This award means so much to me," Anderson said. "To sit in front of my peers, colleagues, and family — it’s second to none."
BJ Edwards made his mark as a basketball standout at Lehigh. With 1,864 career points, Edwards is the all-time leading scorer in basketball for the Lightning. He made his return to Lehigh in 2022, now leading the Lightning program as head coach.
Krissy Gear , a Fort Myers High graduate, dominated in track and field. She won six individual state track and field titles for the Green Wave. In 2023, she was the National Champion in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and qualified for the Paris Olympic Trials.
Jayron Kearse was a star at both Cypress Lake and South Fort Myers. He was selected to play in the All-American Bowl, then played college football at Clemson University. Kearse was drafted in 2016 by the Minnesota Vikings and also played for Detroit and Dallas over an eight0year NFL career.
"To my kids, and every other kid chasing their dreams — remember that every setback is a setup for a comeback. Keep pushing," Kearse said during his induction speech.
George McNeill , a North Fort Myers alum, won the individual golf championship in 1992, then went on to star at Florida State. He has over 315 career starts on the PGA Tour with 21 career finishes in the top 10.
Mike Zunino , a star catcher at Mariner High School, was named 5A Gatorade Player of the Year before playing nearly a decade in Major League Baseball with the Mariners, Rays and Guardians. Zunino made a 2020 World Series appearance and a 2021 MLB All-Star selection while playing for Tampa Bay.
Two longtime coaches also joined the Hall of Fame:
Martin Cardenas , who has led Mariner High’s boys soccer program for over 30 years, recently reached the 500-win milestone and has claimed 15 district titles.
"This journey has been a beautiful one," Cardenas said. "It’s not about wins and losses. It's not about the championships. It’s about the people."
Frank Turco built Estero High into a baseball powerhouse, winning 12 district titles and leading the program to a state finals appearance before continuing his coaching career at Canterbury.
Rounding out the 2025 class is Margaret Sirianni , a former school board member who pioneered girls golf in Lee County. While coaching Fort Myers High School Girls Golf, her 1978 team finished state runner-up by one stroke. Sirianni, the wife of late Fort Myers legendary coach Sam Sirianni and the mother of current Green Wave coach Sammy Sirianni Jr., helped shape key educational programs supporting student-athletes. She was instrumental in bringing school choice and the International Baccalaureate Program to the School District.
As their names are added to the Hall of Fame, their stories — and impact — continue to inspire across Lee County and beyond.