WINONA – The Choctaw County and French Camp boys and girls track teams prepared for the season as participants in two practice meets at Winona High School last week.
Senior Ami Sherrif had a strong showing for French Camp girls, winning the 800 and 1600 and finishing second in the 400. “Boys and girls ran together in the 1600 and she beat most of the guys. That was incredible,” said FCA coach Joe Watkins.
He said sophomore Neviah Gathright also ran well for the Lady Panthers in the 200 and 400.
In boys competition, juniors Colby Walters and Adlai Urbina had strong performances in the 400, with Walters taking first. “They ran the fastest 400s of their lives, which was really awesome,” Watkins said.
Choctaw County girls coach Jim Wood was pleased with his team's performance. “I like the way they competed. We had several girls in events that they were not normally in. I got to see them in adverse situations. Not only were they in different events, but they also had the weather. It was cold and windy.
“I was pleased with that aspect," he said. "They didn't gripe. They didn't complain. That's a big plus.”
The boys also did well according to Wood, especially juniors Israel Whitmore and Jared Bellew in the high jump.
“I think they have a pretty good chance to make a legitimate showing down the road,” Wood said of the boys team. “He (boys coach Trey Gant) has a great bunch of athletes and coach Gant does a good job of putting them in the right events.”
Choctaw County teams will compete in another practice meet March 19 at Pontotoc. The first regular meet is March 29 at Pontotoc.
French Camp's first meet is March 23 at Madison Central.
