By Michael Quirk

michael.quirk@oxfordeagle.com

The Oxford Middle School lecture hall became a rotating door of celebration Monday night.

Four state championship teams were honored at the Oxford School District board meeting, with each individual athlete recognized by his or her coach.

The onslaught of Mississippi’s best began with the girls track team and was followed by the boys track team. Then came the tennis team coached by noted show-stealer Louis Nash. After Nash introduced each of his team members, along with a candid comment or two, OSD Superintendent Brian Harvey informed the room that the state final matches ended with an overwhelming score of 7-0. Nash — who earlier pointed out the fact that both the boys and girls doubles state championships were between Oxford High School teams — was poignant in his address to the room.

“We took it to them,” he said, drawing laughter. “We could’ve played around or we could’ve taken it to them. We took it to them.”

After tennis, the state champion baseball team was honored. The title was the second-straight for the Chargers on the diamond, as head coach Chris Baughman praised his team for playing well in both the David and Goliath roles on the year. Proud of his team, which included three Ole Miss-bound signees, Baughman lamented his one regret.

“I just wish y’all wouldn’t make me follow Coach Nash,” he said.