NATCHEZ — Charles Marsaw was doing outdoor activities long before he began running cross country and track in middle school.

The Natchez High School senior, who recently signed a track scholarship with Alcorn State University, said growing up in Sibley gave him a love for the outdoors.

“I just like to stay active,” Marsaw said. “I was never raised to be a lazy kid. I live in the country, so I never really got tired, and it just translated into track. I just keep working hard.”

Marsaw’s hard work also translates to the classroom. He currently has an unweighted grade point average of 3.68, and he scored a 21 on the ACT. NHS track and cross county coach Larry Wesley said Marsaw has been one of his top academic students since the seventh grade.

“I believe good grades are the backbone of society,” Marsaw said. “You’re always going to need to know something in life. Whether it’s formulas or skills, you’re going to need something to be successful. That’s why I try to stay on top of my grades.”

Wesley said one of Marsaw’s key character traits is his desire to persevere in everything he does, which Wesley said he believes translate into Marsaw performing well in the classroom.

“From day one, he’s been sold on himself, especially on academics,” Wesley said. “I work with the children (with academics), and I always tell them that the two A’s go together: academics first, and then athletics.”

Marsaw said balancing studying and athletics is only moderately difficult.

“Sometimes I have to sacrifice practice for schoolwork, and sometimes I have to sacrifice schoolwork for practice,” Marsaw said. “I have a job at McDonald’s in Tracetown now, so that makes it even harder.”

In track, Marsaw competes in the 3,200-meter, the 1,600-meter and the 800-meter run. Marsaw said the stamina required to run those kinds of distances is something he develops from staying active year round.

“I do cross country in the fall, which builds up your wind, strength and your legs,” Marsaw said. “When you run longer distances, it’s speed running. With the lower distances, or around 3,200 meters, it’s more relaxed running.”

Marsaw said cross country and track work together as sports.

“You’re not going to be in shape when you start, so you spend the first two weeks getting into shape,” he said. “You have to challenge yourself so you can get back into shape.”

During the summer, Marsaw said he likes to do other outdoor activities in order to stay as well conditioned as he can.

“I’ll play basketball most of the time, but I also try to run three times a week,” Marsaw said.

Riding his bike is also something Marsaw said he enjoys, and it’s what initially got him interested in outdoor activities.

“I used to ride my bike all day,” Marsaw said. “If nobody wanted to play basketball, I would just ride my bike. Just riding through the fresh air, seeing the trees and relaxing was great.”

Marsaw said cross country is kind of similar to riding his bike, since he gets to enjoy the outdoor scenery when he runs it in the fall.

“We run through the grass, dirt and between a bunch of trees,” Marsaw said. “It’s just nice scenery. It’s relaxing.”

Marsaw said he’s grateful he’ll get to continue his track career beyond high school, which is something that’s been on his mind since his 10th grade year at NHS.

“That year, I felt like I had to step up because people who could run the races I ran graduated,” Marsaw said. “That’s when I began to think I wanted to do this at the next level.”

As someone who’s had to balance athletics, academics and work all at the same time, Marsaw said his advice to someone else wanting to do that is simple.

“Stay focused,” Marsaw said. “If you say you’re going to do something, do it. Try to do it to the fullness of your ability, and always plan ahead.”