The annual participation survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations revealed Wednesday a record 7,628,377 boys and girls taking part in interscholastic athletics during the 2009-2010 school year. This is the 21st consecutive year that number has risen.

In Maryland, which ranks 22nd in participation rate across the nation, 112,744 students played high school sports during the last school year — 66,219 boys and 46,525 girls.

Nationwide, 55.1 percent of students participated in athletics with football, outdoor track and basketball ranking as the three most popular sports overall.

For boys, football ranked first followed in the Top 10 by outdoor track, basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, cross country, tennis, golf and swimming and diving. For girls, outdoor track was No. 1 followed by basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming and diving, competitive spirit squads and golf.

Here are the Top 10 boys and girls sports in Maryland, according to the survey:
Boys
1. Football, 15,396 participants
2. Outdoor track, 6,771
3. Lacrosse, 6,404
4. Soccer, 6,381
5. Baseball, 5,731
6. Basketball, 5,619
7. Indoor track, 5,205
8. Wrestling, 3,909
9. Cross Country, 3,734
10. Tennis, 2,543

Girls
1. Soccer, 5,598 participants
2. Outdoor track, 5,362
3. Softball, 5,172
4. Lacrosse, 5,151
5. Basketball, 4,707
6. Indoor track, 4,285
7. Field hockey, 3,891
8. Volleyball, 3,732
9. Cross country, 2,585
10. Tennis, 2,543