Janice Davis, a sophomore at Natchez High School, ran a 23.73 on Saturday to qualify for the finals of the 200 meters at the New Balance National Indoor Track Meet in New York.

Her time on Saturday was at the time the fastest mark in the nation this year by a prep runner. It also was the fastest qualifying time at the New Balance meet, which boasts more than 2,000 of the best prep athletes in America and Canada.

&uot;Janice is proving what we said all along, she is one of the best track athletes in America,&uot; Natchez High School Track Coach Henry Woods said. &uot;And she is proving it against the fastest field you will find.&uot;

Although Davis had the fastest qualifying time, she finished third in the finals on Sunday with a time of 23.95.

Angela Perkins set the National Scholastic Record in the finals with a 23.59, while Sonya Richardson finished second with a 23.71.

&uot;It took two girls breaking the record to beat Janice,&uot; Woods said. &uot;We are all proud of what she accomplished.&uot;