The boys and girls on Natchez High School’s track team know how to run, but a new year means new challenges.

On Saturday morning, Bulldog coach Larry Wesley and his team will kick off its season by traveling to Baton Rouge for the annual LSU High School Classic. The meet will feature 30-40 teams and will allow Natchez to see where it stands against programs from across the region.

“This year will be different, because I have a young team,” Wesley said. “The reason I go to this meet is for the competition. Depending on how my kids do, I will have an idea of how the year is going to go. It’s a measuring stick for us.”

Last season, the Lady Bulldogs finished second overall in Class 5A MHSAA state competition, and the boys team finished fourth. A loss of multiple seniors and a few injuries has left the teams with lots of room for growth.

“We have to get our minds straight before we go out there,” junior Tyler Harris said. “We don’t like to worry about the other teams, but just about doing our jobs.”

Harris will face an additional pressure this year, as he is the lone sprinter on the Bulldog’s roster. On Saturday he will compete in the 60-meter and 200 races, and the 4×200 and 4×400 relays.

Natchez is scheduled to participate in 10 events on the boys and girls side of contention.

“The kids have been running very well to this point,” Wesley said. “Our biggest challenge will be to keep them motivated. If we are able to compete, we will have some kind of success down the line.”

Wesley also noted another benefit to making the trip to LSU is the chance to run in an indoor facility.

“In Mississippi we don’t really have those facilities, so it’s a new opportunity for the kids,” he said.

This first time that freshman Taliyah Harding competed indoors was at last year’s Classic. This year she will sport her NHS uniform during the 4×400 and 4×800 relay, as well as the 800 run.

“I can picture what their track looks like, so this time it will be easy,” she said. “I’m ready to run, and I just want to do better than last year.”

Overall, Wesley said that he is most looking forward to Natchez doing its best in each individual category.

“It’s all about setting reasonable goals,” he said. “This will tell us where we are, what we need to do and what we are trying to accomplish.”