Oxarart Earns MVP in National Showcase

Malta High School senior Stockton Oxarart had a chance to showcase his talent and hard work at the 2024 Junior Day National Football Showcase at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a couple of weeks ago.

The showcase featured 250 athletes from 47 states across the country. Oxarart, the son of DoDee and Dennis Oxarart of Malta, was one that stood out amongst the rest as he was awarded Player of the Championship Game, Player of the Game for another game, and Offensive MVP for his team.

"It was an awesome experience," Oxarart told the PCN. "Playing on a big stage like that is kind of crazy. Especially in the Vikings' stadium, the atmosphere was crazy up there."

When his name was called for MVP over the speakers he heard his parents in the distance.

"It was a crazy feeling," Oxarart said. " I just hear my mom and dad just yelling in the stands. They were so happy and so proud of me."

Camp was held for offensive and defensive lineman in the morning and Oxarart competed as quarterback for his team during 7-on-7 competitions. With his grouping, fundamentals and fine-tuning wasn't the intention. They simply had to compete and showcase their skill.

Oxarart received an invite to attend the event via email a few months ago. He isn't even sure how they found him.

When he got there he did the most with his time, and even scored the first touchdown of the championship game, a 40-yard throw, which was his favorite memory of the event.

"It was just a crazy feeling," Oxarart said.

He was asked about that play.

"I threw it to a receiver who ran a fade down the sideline," Oxarart said. "He got open and I hit him for a 40 yard touchdown on the first play of the game. And the whole crowd went crazy! It was one of the coolest things that I have ever done."

Over 2,000 people present saw the play including families of the athletes and a lot of college recruiters. Some of those recruiters reached out to Oxarart after the event.

"I have a lot of college coaches contacting me now, so it is pretty sweet," Oxarart said.

Before he chases his college dreams, Oxarart is looking forward to his time on the field this year, as a Mustang.

Last year Oxarart earned All State honors, and this season he is healthier than he was last year after fixing up an injury sustained in the 2022-23 state basketball tournament.

"I am so pumped up for this season, especially finally being healthy with my ankle injury in the past," Oxarart said. "This is gonna be a great season. Our whole team is ready. We are all pumped up and we are going to make a deep run in the playoffs this year. We will surprise a lot of people."

Now back to the showcase. Oxarart was asked if there was anyone on his team that caught his attention.

He found someone that reminded him of a recent Malta graduate and his top target in past seasons; Kyle Darrington.

"I had a really good receiver," Oxarart said. "His name is Ryder. He's from Kentucky, he was definitely my best receiver. I remember him for sure. He was really good. His speed and catching ability was really good. He reminded me of Kyle Darrington. Yeah, exactly like Kyle, it was really fun playing with him."

This experience is one that Oxarart will remember for the rest of his life and one he hopes his younger brother can do one day.

"It was just a crazy experience," Oxarart said. "If my younger brother Kazner is able to get invited to that, I would tell him to go for sure. It's definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity that you can't pass up, it's just crazy."