Track
The boys and girls varsity track team wrapped up their regular season schedules at the Flint Metro Meet and the Oakland County Meet. Then, Oxford sent their nine state qualifiers to Rockford to compete for State titles.
Boys
Coming into the Flint Metro League Meet, the Wildcats had competed fiercely in the league, dropping two meets along the way, but not by much. Holly defeated Oxford by only 3 points, and lost to Fenton by only 5 points during the season. Oxford came into the league meet fully capable of taking home the title. But in the end, the Wildcats came up just short losing the title to Fenton by just three points. ‘Overall we had our best meet of the season,? head coach Andrew McDonald stated. ‘We lost to a very good Fenton team that had a little too much depth in the distance races and the 400M dash.? Sophomore Nick Collier was league champ in both the 100M and 200M dashes. Senior Vince Belistsos also emerged league champ in the shot put.
Coach McDonald and crew headed to the Oakland County Meet in Milford. In the large pool of teams at the meet, Oxford placed 13th. Vince Belistsos placed first in the discus and second in the shot put at the meet. The meet would be Belistos last competition before heading to the state finals this past weekend.
Oxford sent two boys to the state tournament, senior Vince Belistos and sophomore Nick Collier. Although Collier didn’t advance past the preliminarys, Coach McDonald was very pleased with his young sprinters performance on the season. ‘To make it to the state meet not only a great accomplishment for Nick, but also a great learning experience. He competed with the fastest runners in the state and proved he has a great future in sprinting.? Belistsos just missed the state title in the shot put by 1 foot 3 inches. He also finished fifth in the state in the discus with a throw of 167 feet. After the meet, Vince was invited to the Midwest Meet of Champions in Ohio to compete against the very best from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illionois. This weekend Vince will travel to Delaware, Ohio to perform with the best of the best in the Midwest.
At the close of the season, McDonald is happy with the performance of his young team. ‘We received a big boost in the sprints this year from a group that was young, but was prepared to perform at the big meets. The boys didn’t have any school records this year, but I can see that this team has great potential in the future.?
Girls
At the Flint Metro League meet, the girls performed above Coach McDonald’s expectations, but fell short of the league title. In the competition, Oxford’s sprinters rose to the occasion. Senior Krysten Sylva took the league title in the 100M dash, and sophomore Ashlee Eller was the champion in the 200M dash. The 400M relay team (freshman Lauren Curtis, senior Deann Kujawa, freshman Jacqui Sylva, and senior Krysten Sylva) forged another first place finish proving they are the best in the league. The girls finished the regular season in the fourth place overall in the FML.
The Ladycat 400M and 800M relay teams headed to the State Meet to take on the best in the state. Lauren Curtis, Jacqui Sylva, Krysten Sylva, and Deann Kujawa placed fourth in their heat and ended up 20th in the state in the 400M. The 800M relay team with sophomore Tiara Tatarczuk, sophomore Ashlee Eller, Jacqui Sylva, and Deann Kujawa finished fifth in their heat and 22nd overall.
Overall, Coach McDonald was very pleased with the performance of the girl’s team. ‘We were a young team with good senior leadership that strived to reach our goals. I was very pleased to set a school record in the 800M relay this season,? he said. McDonald was happy with his young athletes on the track and in the field events. For the seniors on both the boys and girls teams, ‘I feel very fortunate to work with this year’s seniors. The team was very young and need some guidance’guidance that they found in their hardworking senior teammates.?

Soccer
The varsity girls soccer team hosted Stoney Creek this past week in the first round of MHSAA District play. Oxford found a tough competitor in Stoney Creek who is ranked 7th in the state in Division II. Oxford held them to only two goals going into the half. But, Stoney Creek scored five goals in the second half to win the game 0-7 and end Oxford’s season. Head coach John Thaler knew that a victory would be very hard to come by, but was happy with his squad’s effort. ‘Everyone played well,? he said, ‘We just played a much better team.? With the season over, the Oxford varsity soccer team has nothing to hang their heads about. After coming in dead last in the FML the past two years, the Ladycats turned things around this season under the supervision of their new coach. ‘I set out to accomplish two things this season with the girls,? Thaler stated. ‘I told them we WILL have a winning record, and I wouldn’t allow them to get mercied by any team.? Together, coach and team accomplished both. Oxford finished the season 6-5-1 in the league, good enough for fourth place and leap-frogging three teams to get there. An impressive record after going winless in the league in 2003 and 2004.
Oxford was led on the field by sophomore Sam Bono who was the Ladycats leading scorer with 16 goals and 9 assists on the year. She received the team Most Valuable Player award, was named to the All-District First Team, as well as First Team All-League. Senior captain Christine Fortier had seven goals and 3 assists earning her the Outstanding Senior Award, Second Team All-League, and Honorable Mention All-District. Senior defender Jolene Patterson was also named to the Second Team All-League and Honorable Mention All-District Team. Sophomore keeper Kelly Henry had two shutouts on the season and 2.16 goals allowed average.
Oxford will lose five seniors to graduation, but Thaler is excited with the talent of the underclassmen returning to the team next year, as well as the junior varsity players moving up. The returning starters will have a big impact on the team and the league next year. As for the overall outlook on the season passed, Thaler gives the credit to his squad. ‘All the credit needs to go to the players for their hard-work, determination, and allowing themselves to be coached. They wouldn’t have been successful if they didn’t believe in teamwork.?

Baseball
Oxford traveled to Romeo last Friday for the MHSAA District Tournament. Oxford played Rochester Stoney Creek in the first round. The Wildcats found themselves down 5-7 in the bottom of the seventh. Oxford’s had the last at bat, and needed at least two runs to tie the game and force extra innings. Sophomore Brandon Dugan started off the inning with a single, and advanced to second base on a walk that put sophomore Vinnie Ives on first. Junior Brad Dugan stepped up to the plate, and with the green light to swing away and took advantage by hitting the game winning, walk off three run homer over the left field fence. With the 8-7 victory over Stoney Creek, Oxford advanced to the District Finals against the Romeo Bulldogs.
Oxford started off the district final match-up with a two run homer from junior Tim Shafto. Shafto took the mound for the Wildcats and recorded the first out in the bottom of the second, but struggled to fight the strike zone and walked the next four Romeo batters, one of which he picked off at third base for the second out. With the bases loaded, Romeo hit a grand slam to go up 4-2 over the Wildcats and didn’t look back. Romeo won the district final 12-3, and advanced to Regional play.
Overall, head coach Kurt Nuss was very happy with his team’s accomplishments on the season, ending with a 20-16 record and competing hard every step of the way. ‘We took on a very challenging schedule, and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,? Nuss stated. ‘We will surely miss the five seniors we will lose, but are excited about the quality of student athletes that will return. I am extremely proud of both the academic and athletic achievements of this group; it has been a pleasure to coach this group of quality young men. They represented Oxford with pride and class throughout the season.?
Oxford finished up the season with all-league and district recognitions. Sophomore pitcher Jeremy Bukoski, and junior first basemen Brad Dugan were named to the Flint Metro League First Team. Bukoski also received All-District honors for his pitching in the tournament. Sophomore Vinnie Ives was named Second Team All-League and All-District for his outfield position. Senior David Fischer, senior Jim Carrier, senior Joel Grifka, junior Tim Shafto, and sophomore Brandon Dugan were all named FML Honorable Mention.

Softball
Oxford took on the Fenton Tigers to end their regular season play before heading into the district tournament. In an ‘off? night for the Ladycats, they dropped both games to the Tigers and lost their first place crown to Lapeer West, dropping to a tie for second place in the Flint Metro League with Fenton. The loss dropped Oxford to 9-3 in the FML, and 18-14 overall. ‘This was a very disappointing loss,? coach Sue Roeher added. ‘We were on a thirteen game winning streak and had a let down that cost us first place.? The Ladycats needed to regroup for the district tournament at Romeo.
Oxford matched up with Rochester Stoney Creek in the first round of play. Oxford’s offense and defense were in top form and easily disposed of Stoney Creek 9-0 to advance to the district finals. The rock of Oxford’s team, senior pitcher Amber Cervantez, was on the mound pitching all seven innings and stricking out five Stoney Creek batters. At the plate, Cervantez had three hits, one of them a double. Freshman Lauren LaCroix was brought up to Varsity for the district tourney and was entered in the game as a courtesy runner for Cervantez, going around the bases and scoring three runs. Freshman Kelsey Oliver went 2-for-4 with four RBI’s, junior Lindsay Nieman was 1-for-3 with one RBI and a run scored, and junior Jamie Badia went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Roeher was happy with her teams start in the tournament, notching eleven runs offensively, and zero errors defensively. After a quick rest, the Ladycats took on Lake Orion in the district final game.
The Ladycats put forth a great effort, holding the Dragons scoreless for five innings and escaping a couple of innings with the Lake Orion threatening to score with the bases loaded. At the halfway mark, Oxford struggled to catch a break on the bases to score, and defensively had some costly errors that allowed the Dragons to score. Oxford ended their season with the 5-0 loss to Lake Orion. Amber Cervantez pitched back-to-back games ? 14 innings altogether to end her impressive season on the mound. Her steadfast, and consistent presence on the mound not only made it possible for Oxford to compete in the districts, but in the league as well. She finished the game and her high school career with three strike-outs, two walks, and three earned runs against Lake Orion. She was also 1-for-3 at the plate along with seniors Jessica Anhel and Amanda Crump, freshman Kelsey Oliver, and junior Jamie Badia. ‘The difference in this game were the errors,? Roeher stated. Oxford had five errors in the district final. Although this was not the way Oxford wanted to end their season, Roeher is pleased with her team’s 20 win season, and is proud of their second place finish in the FML. As the season progressed, the Ladycats improved dramatically and bonded together as a team. Oxford’s finished the 2005 season 20-16 overall.
game and force extra innings. Sophomore Brandon Dugan started off the inning with a single, and advanced to second base on a walk that put sophomore Vinnie Ives on first. Junior Brad Dugan stepped up to the plate, and with the green light to swing away and took advantage by hitting the game winning, walk off three run homer over the left field fence. With the 8-7 victory over Stoney Creek, Oxford advanced to the District Finals against the Romeo Bulldogs.
Oxford started off the district final match-up with a two run homer from junior Tim Shafto. Shafto took the mound for the Wildcats and recorded the first out in the bottom of the second, but struggled to fight the strike zone and walked the next four Romeo batters, one of which he picked off at third base for the second out. With the bases loaded, Romeo hit a grand slam to go up 4-2 over the Wildcats and didn’t look back. Romeo won the district final 12-3, and advanced to Regional play.
Overall, head coach Kurt Nuss was very happy with his team’s accomplishments on the season, ending with a 20-16 record and competing hard every step of the way. ‘We took on a very challenging schedule, and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,? Nuss stated. ‘We will surely miss the five seniors we will lose, but are excited about the quality of student athletes that will return. I am extremely proud of both the academic and athletic achievements of this group; it has been a pleasure to coach this group of quality young men. They represented Oxford with pride and class throughout the season.?
Oxford finished up the season with all-league and district recognitions. Sophomore pitcher Jeremy Bukoski, and junior first basemen Brad Dugan were named to the Flint Metro League First Team. Bukoski also received All-District honors for his pitching in the tournament. Sophomore Vinnie Ives was named Second Team All-League and All-District for his outfield position. Senior David Fischer, senior Jim Carrier, senior Joel Grifka, junior Tim Shafto, and sophomore Brandon Dugan were all named FML Honorable Mention.

SOFTBALL

Oxford took on the Fenton Tigers to end their regular season play before heading into the district tournament. In an ‘off? night for the Ladycats, they dropped both games to the Tigers and lost their first place crown to Lapeer West, dropping to a tie for second place in the Flint Metro League with Fenton. The loss dropped Oxford to 9-3 in the FML, and 18-14 overall. ‘This was a very disappointing loss,? coach Sue Roeher added. ‘We were on a thirteen game winning streak and had a let down that cost us first place.? The Ladycats needed to regroup for the district tournament at Romeo.
Oxford matched up with Rochester Stoney Creek in the first round of play. Oxford’s offense and defense were in top form and easily disposed of Stoney Creek 9-0 to advance to the district finals. The rock of Oxford’s team, senior pitcher Amber Cervantez, was on the mound pitching all seven innings and stricking out five Stoney Creek batters. At the plate, Cervantez had three hits, one of them a double. Freshman Lauren LaCroix was brought up to Varsity for the district tourney and was entered in the game as a courtesy runner for Cervantez, going around the bases and scoring three runs. Freshman Kelsey Oliver went 2-for-4 with four RBI’s, junior Lindsay Nieman was 1-for-3 with one RBI and a run scored, and junior Jamie Badia went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Roeher was happy with her teams start in the tournament, notching eleven runs offensively, and zero errors defensively. After a quick rest, the Ladycats took on Lake Orion in the district final game.
The Ladycats put forth a great effort, holding the Dragons scoreless for five innings and escaping a couple of innings with the Lake Orion threatening to score with the bases loaded. At the halfway mark, Oxford struggled to catch a break on the bases to score, and defensively had some costly errors that allowed the Dragons to score. Oxford ended their season with the 5-0 loss to Lake Orion. Amber Cervantez pitched back-to-back games ? 14 innings altogether to end her impressive season on the mound. Her steadfast, and consistent presence on the mound not only made it possible for Oxford to compete in the districts, but in the league as well. She finished the game and her high school career with three strike-outs, two walks, and three earned runs against Lake Orion. She was also 1-for-3 at the plate along with seniors Jessica Anhel and Amanda Crump, freshman Kelsey Oliver, and junior Jamie Badia. ‘The difference in this game were the errors,? Roeher stated. Oxford had five errors in the district final. Although this was not the way Oxford wanted to end their season, Roeher is pleased with her team’s 20 win season, and is proud of their second place finish in the FML. As the season progressed, the Ladycats improved dramatically and bonded together as a team. Oxford’s finished the 2005 season 20-16 overall.