Natchez’s Janice Davis has qualified second in the 200-meter dash at the USA Track and Field Nationals in Buffalo, New York.

But she could have finished one spot higher, said Natchez High School track coach Henry &uot;Doc&uot; Woods.

Woods said Davis was leading the race through the turn, but was not able to pull away in the final.

&uot;Most of the time when you lead through the turn, you win the race,&uot; he said. &uot;Janice had her but she shut down over the last 15 yards.&uot;

Woods said the race was very close and the runner that beat Davis is her No. 1 rival. Jerricka Chaplain ran a 23.63- second time in the race compared to Woods. 23.81.

The race was also close for another reason, Woods said, Chaplain and Davis are rivals.

Davis was seeded No. 2 in the race and Chaplain was seeded No.1.

&uot;Janice had her beat through the entire race,&uot; Woods said. &uot;She though she had enough at the end but she didn’t&uot;

Chaplain and Davis are seeded No. 1 and No. 2 again in today’s 400-meter dash qualifying race. After today’s qualifying races, the 200-meter-dash finals are Saturday and the 400-meter-dash finals are Sunday.