FRANKIE TRIES TO TALK A RELUCTANT MIKE INTO ATTENDING A DINNER TO RECEIVE AN AWARD FOR HIS 20 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AT THE QUARRY, AND AXL IS RELENTLESS IN HIS PURSUIT OF A MYSTERY GIRL WHO LEFT A MESSAGE ON HIS PHONE, ON ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

"The Award" - Frankie discovers via a local blog that the quarry is presenting Mike with an award during a dinner for his 20 years of dedicated service. But Mike, not thinking it's that big of a deal, doesn't want to attend. Meanwhile, after being sat on in class by a guy who didn't know she was even in the chair, Sue attempts to put together a plan to get the students more connected with each other. Having imbibed a bit too much at a party the night before, Axl tries to track down the mystery girl who left a message on his phone, and Brick thinks he's totally styling in a purple suit and bolo tie that he found in his cousins' hand-me-down box, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"The Middle" stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Alphonso McAuley as Hutch, John Gammon as Darrin, Christopher Darga as Mr. Farrar, Galadriel Stineman as Cassidy, Natalie Lander as Debbie, Brittany Ross as Courtney, Brock Ciarlelli as Brad Bottig, Blaine Saunders as Carly, Greg Cipes as Chuck, Malcolm Foster Smith as Dave, Troy Metcalf as Jim, Craig Anton as Bob Branderson, Brandon W. Jones as Brian, Tommy Bechtold as Kenny, Arielle Reitsma as hottie, Aubrey Wood as cute girl, Jeneta St. Clair as coed 1, Sarah Domin as coed 2 and Wendy Allyn as teacher.

"The Award" was written by Katy Ballard and directed by Phil Traill.

"The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,D parental guideline.

For more information on "The Middle," visit ABC.com/TheMiddle