By Staff
EAST LANSING - High school sports participation figures for the 2003-04 school year, released this week by the National Federation of State High School Associations, show that Michigan moved up to fourth for female student-athletes based on figures submitted by Michigan High School Athletic Association member schools.
Michigan 's total of 128,752 female participants in all sports, including those in which the MHSAA currently does not sponsor a post-season tournament, rank only behind Texas, California and New York, the nation's top three states in total population and in females 14-17 years of age according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Michigan ranks eighth in both categories.
The highest ranking Michigan achieved in any single girls sport came in basketball, skiing and tennis, where it was third. A fourth-place ranking was achieved in bowling, golf, track and field, and volleyball; cross country was fifth; the state was sixth in soccer and swimming and diving participation; and seventh in competitive cheer and softball. Gymnastics was ninth.
In boys and overall participation in 2003-04, Michigan ranked sixth with 173,896 boys taking part and a total figure of 302,648. In the individual sport rankings, Michigan was third in participation in ice hockey and skiing; fourth in basketball, bowling and tennis; fifth in cross country, football and wrestling; sixth in golf; seventh in baseball and swimming and diving; and eighth in soccer. Michigan ranks eighth in the country in population of boys 14-17 years of age.
The 2003-04 girls participation total was a Michigan record for the second straight year, and the overall and boys participation figures were their second highest ever.