NATCHEZ — The Natchez High boys track team has its eyes on the state championship, but there’s still a ways to go before that goal can be met.

The Bulldogs won the MHSAA Division 6-5A track meet earlier this month, and their next challenge is the regional meet at Meridian High today.

The top four individual finishers from each district event advanced to the regional meet, which means every Bulldog will be headed to Meridian.

And all but two of the Lady Bulldogs, who finished fourth at the district meet, advanced as well.

Coach Larry Wesley said his girls team didn’t finish as high as he had hoped, but the boys’ team is well on its way to the state title.

“This really is a measuring stick meet here,” Wesley said. “It’s just good to have the opportunity to even think you can win.”

Wesley said the regional meet will be more difficult than the district meet was, but he is just hoping for a good showing from the Bulldogs. They don’t have to win today to move on to the south state meet, just place in the top four.

“Even if we lose at regionals by one or two or even three points, I’ll still feel good because at the next round, at south state, we might beat them,” he said. “If we win I’ll feel even better.”

Wesley said he feels some pressure to have a state championship on the boys’ side. He’s never won a boys’ title, although he has six with the girls’ team.

“I run into people all the time who say, ‘We know what the girls can do, but what can the boys do?’” he said. “Not to take away anything from the ladies, but if the boys win that really says something about the program. The boys’ sports stand out more.”

Wesley said the boys’ team has placed second in the state on several occasions, but it has always been missing one or two pieces to take the whole title.

Now, he feels his team, which won district with 97 points, has what it takes to win it all.

Wesley Pendleton won three events, Ernest Jones won the long jump and placed second in high and triple jump, and Joseph Perry won the 800-meter run.

The Bulldogs won the 4×400 and 4×100 relays, and Rico Richardson won the triple jump and placed third in long jump. Jeremy Davis placed second in 110- and 300-meter hurdles, and Willie Newman took fourth in the 100-meter dash, shot put and discus.

Alicia Wimley won the 100-meter run, 400-meter dash and triple jump, and the Lady Bulldogs won the 4×400-meter relay. Pam Selman won the 800-meter run, and Lamesha Anderson won the 300-meter hurdles.

“It’s time for the boys to win,” Wesley said. “I’m not saying we’re going to win the state championship, but it’s close. It’s really going to be tight. This year, my chance is just as good as anyone else. If we win regionals, my stock goes up just a little bit more.

“As long as I got a team that’s working hard, girls or boys, I’m blessed.”