Members of the Natchez High football team were on hand for the Top Dog awards presentation by members of the Bulldogs coaching staff Monday afternoon at the Natchez High Multipurpose building.

The Top Dog Award is presented to the member of the football team who had the best finish in time or weight after completing eight different events that test strength, speed and endurance. This year’s Top Dog was Willie Newman, but the top 10 finishers were also recognized, along with the top class.

Shane Martin, defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator, started the program at Natchez High after coaching at West Monroe High. He said the competition there is called the Iron Man.

Martin said the program has several benefits.

“This competition tells coaches not only who your better athletes are, but also who the leaders are,” he said. “It helps build a team atmosphere.”

This year 60 players participated in the competition. Only graduating seniors and incoming freshmen did take part in the 3-year-old competition.

“Kids are buying into the program and the competition, and not trying to skip seventh period,” Martin said. “It is good as a coach to see kids wanting to get better.”

The result has been the closing of the talent gap between the some of the more gifted players and athletes and the rest of the team.

The three-week competition tests players in eight events, including bench press, power clean, squat, 40-yard dash, pro shuttle run, the quarter mile run, the sled pull and the obstacle course. This year records were set in every event except the sled pull.

With the information obtained from the competition, Martin can better design a lifting and conditioning schedule for each individual player. That information can also be used to motivate players, as well as help with college recruitment.

Four participants that finished in last year’s top 10 received scholarships this year.

“This helps with recruiting. The kids know that, and they want to place good numbers,” Martin said.

Even though the competition has ended, the Bulldogs work has really just begun as they prepare to take the field in full pads and begin spring practice within the next week.

“We are working hard year round because that is what it takes to win now,” Martin said. “It has taken a couple of years to get going, but now that it is, I hope it just continues to grow.”