Both Oxford and Lafayette competed in their respective North-half state track meets over the weekend, with both schools having a plethora of athletes finishing in the top five of their events to quality them for the state meet in Pearl, Mississippi this upcoming weekend.

From a team perspective, the Oxford girls finished third with 59 points while the boys finished second to Clinton with 106 points. Lafayette’s girls finished a close second with 87.5 points to Center Hill’s 103, while the Lafayette boys finished fifth with 62 points.

Hurdles proved to be a dominant force for both schools on the afternoon, taking home at least one victory in each of the hurdle events.

Individual winners on the day included Oxford’s Ashley Epps, who won both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles, Tykel Owens with the 300-meter hurdles and Walt Johnson in the 3200-meter. For Lafayette, Brendan Toles won the 100-meter hurdles, Breanna Holland won the 300-meter hurdles and Bralen Williams won the 800-meter run.

In total, ten Oxford athletes qualified for the state finals in individual events with both the girls and boys 4×200-meter and 4×800-meter relay teams also qualifying. Eleven Lafayette athletes qualified individually, and they will also be sending their girls 4×400-meter relay team to states.

Lafayette’s 5A state championship meet will take place in Pearl on Friday. For Oxford, the 6A state championship is also in Pearl, but on Sunday. For the full list of qualifiers and winners, see below.

Oxford Winners and Qualifiers

Winners:

Ashley Epps – 100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles
Tykel Owens – 300m Hurdles
Walt Johnson – 3200m

Also qualified for states:

Girls & Boys 4x800m Relay
Girls & Boys 4x200m Relay
Clay Cromwell – 110m Hurdles
Hunter Lyons – 110m Hurdles
Ladarrius Giles – 200m
Walt Johnson – 1600m
Luke Johnson – 3200m
Kayla Johnson – High Jump
Kiyon Wiliams – Shot Put, Discuss
Keegan Wilfawn – Discuss

Lafayette Winners and Qualifiers

Winners:

Brendan Toles – 100m Hurdles
Breanna Holland – 300m Hurdles
Bralen Williams – 800m

Also qualified for states on Friday:

4x400m Relay
Breanna Holland – 100m Hurdles
Tearra Shaw – 100m Hurdles
Brendan Toles – 110m Hurdles, 200m
Michael Mathis – 300m Hurdles
Ella Shelton – 800m
Breena Davis – 800m
Mia Dawson – 1600m, 3200m
Bralen Williams – Pole Vault
Caleb Lafferty – Pole Vault
Anna Lafferty – Pole Vault
Mariah Holland – Shot Put, Discus