NATCHEZ — Two members of the Natchez High School track and field team are prepared to run and jump for another four years.

Seniors Philicia Wimley and Charles Marsaw are planning to continue their track careers at Alcorn State University next fall.

Wimley said she has signed with Alcorn, and she believed that Alcorn was the best school for her academically and athletically.

“It’s an opportunity to do something in the medical field,” she said. “They have a good medical program.”

Wimley, 17, said she was happy to finally make her decision and move on with the rest of her senior season.

“It was a relief,” she said.

Wimley said she is one of Natchez’s primary jumpers, and she hopes to continue to improve on her strengths before she gets to Alcorn.

She said she also wants to focus on making the remainder of her senior season memorable.

“It’s going good so far,” she said. “I’m accomplishing my goals, but I want to go to state.”

Wimley was also considering Mississippi Valley State University.

Charles Marsaw

Marsaw has not officially signed to join the Braves’ track and field team next fall, but he said his papers are on the way, and he is 90 percent sure that is where he will be headed.

“It’s close to home, it’s a good school and they are in the (Southwest Athletic Conference),” he said.

Marsaw said Alcorn is trying to rebuild its distance-running team, and he wants to be a part of that process.

“They will have me running more distance, and they are bringing in me and five other good guys. I believe we will have the best distance team in the SWAC,” he said.

Marsaw said deciding that Alcorn is the place for him was tough, but he is glad it’s almost over.

“It gets the stress away, because you know how stressful it is to choose one school over another,” he said.

Marsaw plans to study engineering once he gets to Lorman, he said.

Even if he does not start right away for the Braves’ track team, Marsaw said he knows he will bring a winning attitude to Alcorn.

“I believe I’m going to bring a lot,” he said. “I want to win, and I’m going to compete with other guys, because they might be better than me, but I am still going to compete.”

Marsaw said his senior season is going well, and he wants to improve on his South State Championship appearance from last season and make it to state this year.

Marsaw said he hopes to improve his distance running before he gets to Alcorn and also wants to get stronger and faster.

Marsaw said he was also looking at Jackson State, Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi.