The USA Track and Field District Championship held this weekend at Natchez High School gave Natchez runners a chance to compete against some of the top runners in the south. According to Natchez Track Coach Henry &uot;Doc&uot; Woods, the local runners more than held their own.

&uot;It was a real good meet for us,&uot; Woods said. &uot;Our kids did well in both the track and the field events.&uot;

The meet featured performers from 24 track teams, in addition to 13 runners who were not attached to teams.

&uot;I was expecting to have even more participants, but AAU also had a district track meet this weekend,&uot; Woods said. &uot;I do think we were able to enhance everyone who came and participated.&uot;

Natchez participants had a strong showing at the meet, collecting 11 first- place and nine second-place finishes.

Lexi Washington finished first in both the long jump (16-1.25) and triple jump (33-7) in the intermediate girls.

Kendrick Gibbons finished first in the intermediate boys long jump (21-5) and triple jump (41-3.5), and second in the 100 meters (11.45).

Darrius Edwards also won two events in the intermediate boys division, running a 15:10 in the 110 meter high hurdles and a 58 flat in the 400 meter hurdles.

Tanika Hill finished first in the intermediate girls 200 meter race (25:25) and the 400 meters (1.10:01).

Other first place winners for Natchez were Karlesio Richardson in the intermediate 800 meters (2.06), Frediceo Richardson in the bantam long jump (12-5), and Taji Dorsey in the youth 200 meters (26:18).