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http://www.athleticbusiness.com/high-school/prep-sports-participation-up-especially-among-girls- br.html?eid=235807042&bid=1154182

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Dayton Daily News (Ohio)

Athletics participation continues to play an expanding role in the high school experience. The

National Federation of State High School Associations has the numbers to prove it.

According to its survey, the number of youths participating in sanctioned high school sports

increased for the 26th consecutive school year for 2014-15. It was the first time the total surpassed

7.8 million.

All 51 state members - including the Ohio High School Athletic Association and the District of

Columbia - participated in the survey. There was an increase of 11,389 participating students from

the previous school year.

Boys participation dropped 8,682, but that was offset by 20,071 additional girls who played sports.

The No. 1 girls participation sport is track and field (478,726), followed by volleyball (432,176) and

basketball (429,504). Ten years ago, basketball was No. 1, track and field No. 2 and volleyball No. 3.

Competitive spirit squads made the greatest girls gain (5,170).

Soccer made the largest gain among boys (15,150). Wrestling (11,306) and football (9,617) had the

largest decreases.

Eleven-man football (1,083,617) is No. 1 among boys, nearly double that of runner-up track and field

(578,632). Basketball was No. 3 (541,479), followed by baseball (486,567) and soccer (432,569).

"Despite other out-of-school opportunities that exist in some sports, this year's survey is yet another

confirmation that our model of education-based sports within the high school setting is the No. 1

choice for boys and girls nationwide," Bob Gardner, NFHS executive director, said in a release.