Participation in high school sports continues to rise, as evidenced by a newly released national survey.

The number of participants increased for the 25th consecutive year in 2013-14 to a record total of 7,795,658, according to an annual survey from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The number of participants last school year increased by 82,081 from the previous year. The one-year increase was the highest since 2009-10.

Girls’ participation increased for the 25th consecutive year to a record of 3,267,664. Track and field remained the No. 1 sport for girls.

Boys’ participation eclipsed 4.5 million for the first time (4,527,994). Football remained the top sport for boys.

Among the top 10 boys’ sports, baseball registered the largest gain, with an additional 7,838 participants.

Volleyball gained the most participants among girls’ sports (9,426) from the previous year.

CROSS COUNTRY: St. Xavier senior Michael Vitucci would certainly like to compete in additional night races if he had his druthers. Vitucci won the Moeller Primetime Invitational boys’ race in 16:18.99 during the 5K event Friday night at the Kings Island Golf Center – Bruin Course.

“I love running under the lights,” Vitucci said. The Moeller Primetime Invitational was held for the fourth consecutive year. There were 1,259 runners at the meet, which included high school and junior high participants throughout the late afternoon and evening.

The Bombers, who have won two straight state titles as a team, won the Division I boys’ team title Friday night. Moeller “Gold” was second, followed by Summit Country Day in the Division I team results.

St. Ursula senior Annie Heffernan – the reigning Gatorade Ohio Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year – was impressive as expected. Heffernan won the Division I girls’ race in 18:01.74 – capturing first place at the meet for the third consecutive year.

“It’s awesome,” Heffernan said. “This is one of my favorite courses. It’s pretty flat, just a few rolling hills. It wasn’t too muddy tonight so it was pretty good.”

The Bulldogs won the team title, followed by second-place Ursuline and third-place Loveland.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Ohio State freshman guard Kelsey Mitchell, a 2014 Princeton graduate and former Vikings standout, has her Princeton road No. 1 jersey displayed at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Mitchell’s jersey was placed at the Ring of Honor display at the hall in recognition of her outstanding play for the 2013-14 season. Mitchell was Associated Press Ohio Ms. Basketball and Gatorade Ohio player of the year last season in leading the Vikings to the Division I state title. Mitchell’s jersey will be in the Hall until next year’s players are selected.

“We honor all state Gatorade high school players of the year for each state and the All-Americans from all the different levels of college,” said Josh Sullivan, director of basketball operations and technology at the Hall of Fame. Mitchell and her sister Chelsea were at Ohio State for summer workouts and other activities and the players return Monday.

FOOTBALL: West Virginia offered Lebanon junior linebacker Jango Glackin this past week, according to Lebanon coach Shawn Lamb. Glackin also has offers from Indiana, Buffalo, Ohio, Akron, Kent State and Bowling Green. He had 46 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception, according to the Greater Western Ohio Conference website. ■