Northside boys winRegion 3-2A Track Meet,
girls finish second
By Andy Collier, The Bolivar Bullet
The Northside High School Gators stepped up big time on the track as they won the Region 3-2A Boys Track and Field Meet on Friday (April 12) at Clarksdale High School.
The Gators scored 118 points to finish ahead of Leflore County and O’Bannon who were tied for second with 64 points each.
“I am really proud of how hard these young men work and compete,” said Northside Head Boys Track and Field Coach Luster Tyler. “They believe in each other and are a true team. I’m blessed to coach such a fine group of young men.”
In the boys meet, junior Mikendall Morris had a strong outing for the Gators as he won three events. He won the 110-meter hurdles (15.40), the 300-meter hurdles (45.00) and the triple jump (42-05). Sophomore Jarketitus Davis won two events as he took first in the high jump (5-10) and 800-meter run (2:15). Sophomore James Hogan finished first in the long jump (20-11.5), and senior Ashton Harris won the discus (114-7) to round out the individual winners for Northside.
In the relay races for Northside, William Lewis, Jermari Bell, Hogan and Jemarcus Junearick won the 4×100-meter relay (44.70).
Tyler likes the potential of the team as far as its ability to compete for the top spot at the 2A North Half and State meets.
“I think we have an outside shot to win both,” said Tyler. “We are going to need our jumpers and hurdlers to lead the way as they have all year. Then we need everyone else to continue improving. Each week, we have been having athletes to set personal records. If this trend continues, we should have a great shot at winning it all.”
In the girls meet, Northside finished second with 71 points behind first place Leflore County (103 points).
Sophomore Destiny Fields and junior Nataria Coleman had a great day as they each won two events. Fields won the 800-meter run (3:00) and the long jump (15-05), and Coleman won the 110-meter hurdles (16.70) and the triple jump (30-00.5).
“They both did a great job in competing,” said Northside Lady Gators Track and Field Coach Head Coach Tiffany Briggs. “This is Destiny’s first time long jumping, and she won first place. Nataria is running the hurdles very well and attacking the hurdles. Nataria and Destiny are both very strong and love the sport.”
Sophomore Janyla Parris won the shot put (30-08) to round out Northside’s first place winners.
“Janyla has been working hard and pushing herself to make sure she can compete and win,” said Briggs. “She is focused on going to state and winning.”
Both Northside teams will compete in the Mississippi High School Activities Association 2A Super Region 2-2A Track and Field Meet.