Popularity in women’s sports is also on the rise in the Oxford area, and Nelson said having many opportunities for females athletically is something he is particularly proud of in his school district.
“I think we’ve got more girls’ sports than we do guys’,” he said. “We’ve got very many opportunities for girls. It’s something we’re very proud of because it shows diversity.”
Stasny said in addition to a wide range of sports for females, including softball, tennis, swimming and track/cross country, Oxford High School also has females in their ROTC program.
“We have a shooting range, and they typically score better than the guys do when they go to competition,” she said. “I know that’s not an athletic program, but I think that’s an opportunity for females that many schools don’t offer.”
The majority of students in the Oxford area, both school districts, tend to become involved in athletics at some point during their high school years.
Hill estimated that out of 850 students in his school, close to 450 participate in athletics and extracurricular activities.
While Nelson said he did not have an exact number on hand for how many athletes Lafayette County had, he pointed out that the percentage of students participating in athletics was impressive.
“It’s great that we have such an overwhelming majority of students getting involved in athletics,” Nelson said. “It’s one of those things to where it gives all children the opportunity to succeed in something and keeps their interest level in being at school up.”
Oxford Sports 