Natchez High’s girls seem to have the state championship all sewed up after finishing fourth in the 1600-meter relays until a foul flag came up and took the championship away from the Lady Bulldogs.

The disqualification left Natchez two points behind Murrah for the title, finishing with 85 points, while Murrah had 87. A fourth place finish in the 1600-relays would have given Natchez its second straight title.

&uot;That was one of the worst state track meets that the state has ever put on,&uot; said Natchez track coach Henry Woods. &uot;They saw fit to utilize Murrah’s officials. After the mile relay was well over they said there was a protest, even though there was no foul flag. They said we came down to the inside too soon. We were in the second lane and there was no way we went inside before the 125 yards you are allowed. It would have been different if we would have been in the sixth lane. It was home cooking, which is a shame because our girls did everything they could to win that meet.&uot;

The final results overshadowed another standout performance by Janice Davis.

The Natchez freshman won the 100-meter dash in 12.49; captured the 400-dash in 55.10 and took the 200-meter dash in 24.87.

Natchez’s relay team of Davis, Natalie Noble, Ruby King and Jonda Ross was second in the 800-relays at 1:44. Noble suffered an injury in that race and Tanika Hill stepped in and helped the relay squad finished second in the 400-relays at 48.82.

Columbus finished third in the meet.

For the boys, Roderick Conners had a second place in the long jump at 22 feet, 4 inches, while Carl Butler was second in the 400-dash at 49.02.

Madison Central won the boys division.