OHS claims first 5A powerlifting title
Five first-place finishes and a great overall team effort proved to be the key to winning the MHSAA Class 5A state title for the Oxford Chargers Saturday in Jackson’s Mississippi Coliseum. The Chargers defeated Pearl 43-39 to capture the school’s first powerlifting title, a feat that coach Jason Russell couldn’t talk enough about because the Chargers had to overcome some adversity during the meet.
Oxford lifters looking to contend for title
Oxford powerlifting coach Jason Russell will have a full bus of athletes with him when he heads to Jackson for Saturday’s annual MHSAA state meet in the Mississippi Colisuem. The Chargers have eight lifters who qualified for the meet, while the Lady Chargers boast five.
Russell, who is in his fourth year leading both programs, has seen both of his teams improve gradually through the years and this season, both have excelled. (April 13, 2012, Page 7A)
OL Johnson’s plan comes to fruition
Terry Johnson’s plan of getting a Division I football offer ended up happening just about the way he, his family and his coaches designed it.
The former Oxford High standout, who played this past season at Northwest Mississippi Community College, is headed to the next level as a member of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns after just one season with the Rangers. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Johnson was a full qualifier out of high school and as such, he’s able to transfer without earning a two-year degree. (January 10, 2012, Page 9)
Junior college presidents drop ball on local athletes, programs
COLUMN: Leave it to a collective group of college presidents to effectively tinker with something that isn’t broken.
When the junior college presidents of Mississippi decided late Tuesday that they were eliminating the protected recruiting list for all sports, getting rid of the current athletic districts and greatly reducing the amount of scholarships for out-of-state players, they all but killed junior college athletics in this state. (more…) (September 29, 2011, Page 7)
Moving Forrester has paid off for Chargers
One of the most successful decisions Oxford football coach Johnny Hill and his staff made this year actually occurred just before the first spring practice session. It was just before the Chargers took the field last May that the coaches decide to move junior Joel Forrester from offensive tackle to defensive end exclusively. Instead of him attempting to play both ways like Terry Johnson and others did last year and maybe only giving a half effort at each spot, the decision to make Forrester a defensive player only has ultimately shaped the OHS defense into a formidable force up front. (more…) (September 15, 2011, Page 6)
No. 9 Rangers host No. 8 PRCC tonight
The quest to win a second MACJC North Division title in a row begins tonight for the No. 9 Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers. NWCC, which went 9-1 last season in coach Ricky Woods’ third season in Senatobia, hosts No. 8 Pearl River at Bobby Franklin Field. Kickoff for the game is set for 6:30 p.m. and the contest can be heard locally on 93.7 FM.
The Wildcats may not be a North Division opponent, but a win over a team as talented and respected as they are would be a great start for the young Rangers. (more…) (September 1, 2011, Page 6)
Woods has big expectations for Rangers
SENATOBIA — Team chemistry was a big reason for the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers’ success in 2010.
With a roster comprised of players who went on to the next level, the Rangers won the MACJC North Division title thanks in large part to the momentum they gained at the start of the year and the way they played as a unit during the middle and end of the regular season.
From NWCC coach Ricky Woods’ perspective, this year’s team has some of the same makeup as the 2010 group and his hope this season is that his young, but talented, roster can garner some early momentum and build from there. (August 16, 2011, Page 9)
Oxford’s Terry Johnson wins state lifting crown
A strong finish in deadlift helped Oxford’s Terry Johnson cap a successful powerlifting career with an individual state championship on Saturday in the MHSAA’s Class 5A meet. Johnson clearly out-distanced his competition at this year’s meet by totaling 1,525 pounds, 240 pounds more than the second-place finisher, Pearl’s Chris Burleson.
For Johnson, who competed in the 308-pound weight class, the accomplishment made all the hard work worth it. (April 19, 2011, Page 4B)
Oxford teams ready for state meet
One of the most successful seasons in Oxford powerlifting history will continue Saturday at the MHSAA’s state meet in Jackson. Six girls and five boys qualified for the state meet that will be held at the Mississippi Coliseum.
OHS coach Jason Russell has been very pleased with the way the season has turned out so far. Both teams won its division meet and both finished third in the North Half meet. (April 15, 2011, Page 8A)
Oxford teams win powerlifting titles
Oxford’s two powerlifting teams continued to show how strong they both are this weekend by winning the regional powerlifting meets at the OMS gym. It was the first regional titles for the school in either the girls or boys divisions. (February 21, 2011, Page 6)
