Alex Thomas (Boys Cross Country / Boys Track) - Arguably the best distance runner Oxford has returning going into this season, he will be looking to add to the trophy case and stands an outside shot at the individual title in the field this year and perhaps win a couple long events.
Christopher Sandroni (Boys Basketball) - With a departure of a bunch of seniors last year, he will need to step up as a team member to help make this team go far this season. He along with Dee Fair who has returned to the court for the first time in his high school career are the lone seniors on the court barring any other newcomers.
Sage Mullins (Baseball) - Mullins rose to take the 8-hole in the lineup and made sure he stayed there. Excellent bunter and solid outfielder that made just one error last season. With his bunting skills and solid hitting, I expect him to rise to the 2-hole position vacated by Matthew Guyton last season.
James Cutler, Henry Artica, Zac Jenkins, Alexis Martinez (Boys Soccer) - All seniors with an important role on the team this year that has not won a playoff game since winning the State Championship three years ago. Cutler is the most athletic guy on offense this year and Jenkins is back manning the goal. Artica and Martinez are back in the midfield looking to win the division this year and not have to play on the road.
Malek Daghestani (Boys Soccer / Boys Golf / Boys Swimming) - Also an important leader this year for the Boys Soccer team. He is also the guy with the most experience returning in Golf and Swimming. As stacked as the talent was, he was the one that just missed getting into the Dandy Dozen.
Emma Schultz, Kyla Malone, Lindsey Stout (Girls Basketball) - Schultz was thrown into the fire her Sophomore year when the injury bug hit the team and has been improving ever since. Likely should've seen JV time but never really did because of the situation. Malone was one of those injured and hasn't seen significant playing time since her Freshmen year but will if she can stay healthy. Stout was off the team for a year before returning with a new coach and during the summer games looked to have improved her game.
Tag Gatlin (Football / Baseball) - Will be a vital member on the offensive line protecting Jack Abraham and opening up holes for the running game. On the diamond, although he may not get to see the field much, he might be called upon in a pinch-hit situation as he has been in the past.
Anna Kate Joyce (Volleyball) - The only senior on this year's team. Playing mainly up front as an outside hitter or as the middle blocker, she will look to lead the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Tias Hilliard (Football / Boys Soccer / Boys Powerlifting) - Hilliard will be looking to use his speed this upcoming football season. With Kenzie Phillips suspended likely for the whole year due to his misdeeds during the summer, look for Hilliard to get some more touches. He also stands a threat to come off the bench for the Soccer team if he doesn't start.
Dee Fair (Football / Boys Basketball) - He will be the leader of the linebacker corps this year after losing all of them last year either due to graduation or by transfer. He will also be on the basketball team this year for the first time since his freshmen year to help a team that lost several seniors last year.
Liam Cooper (Football / Tennis) - The other place-kicker on the team that also served as a punter. He has helped the Tennis team stay on top of their game with all the state championships they have won.
I apologize if I miss anyone that probably should've been on this list, but regardless of that, every student-athlete contributes to Oxford Athletics one way or another. Let's go out there and continue the tradition of winning.