Neither a tricky wind nor a tough challenge from a pair of Hattiesburg teams could deny Region 3-5A track and field titles to the Vicksburg Gators and Missy Gators.

The Vicksburg girls were down by 21 points coming out of the field events to Hattiesburg and still trailed by one going into the final five events Saturday at VHS Memorial Stadium.

But with a 1-2 finish in the 300 intermediate hurdles, and a dominating sprint from defending 5A champion Courtney Prentiss in the 200 meters, the Missy Gators rebounded to take the eight-team regional meet. VHS finished with 150 points to outpace Hattiesburg’s 132 total. Natchez, the defending 5A team champion, had 114.

“When we were down 21, I had to go down to my little prayer corner and do some praying,” VHS girls coach Deborah L. Brown said. “God answers prayers. Our girls stepped up.

“Courtney Prentiss had an outstanding day. She showed what a great track person she is. And we also showed that Vicksburg is a strong relay team.”

The Missy Gators won all three relays, the 4-by-200 (1:41.94), 4-by-100 (49.18) and the 4-by-400 (4:22.83). Prentiss, who won the 100- and 200-meter dash state titles last year as a freshman, won both again Saturday and anchored the two sprint relays.

“The wind made it pretty hard today, especially in the 200,” Prentiss said. “You come out of the curve and the wind would just slap you in the face.”

Prentiss’ win in the 200 (25.38) capped her banner day. She won the 100 in 12.38 seconds.

“My best this year in the 100 is 11.92. I actually like both races, but I’d say the 100 is my favorite,” she said.

Brown, having seen Hattiesburg twice already this season, knew the Lady Tigers were good in the distance events, but was surprised by their strength in the field.

“They brought a pole vaulter up and that’s what set us back,” Brown said. “They also got better in the field. They won the long jump and went 1-4 in the shot put.”

Vicksburg trailed 61-40 following the shot. A win by Rachel Jenkins in the triple jump helped get VHS going. Jenkins also qualified for next week’s South State meet in Gulfport by placing second in the high jump and long jump.

A 2-3 finish by Stephanie Wright and Erica Woodson in the 100 hurdles, along with Prentiss’ win in the 100 dash, narrowed the gap to 87-80.

The Missy Gators caught a break when Hattiesburg had a bad exchange in the 4-by-100 relay, dropping the Tigers from second to a fourth place finish. VHS won the event to pull within one at 107-106. Vicksburg finally got the lead when Keisha Collins finished fourth in the 400 dash.

Warren Central’s Brittany Willis was second in the 400 to mark the Lady Vikes’ best individual finish of the day. WC was also second in the 4-by-100 relay and ended in fourth place in the team standings with 37 points.

VHS gained some breathing room when 300 hurdle favorite Candace Frye of Natchez fell on the third hurdle. Woodson and Wright came around to finish 1-2 and the Missy Gators were able to coast home.

The Vicksburg boys won their third straight meet by getting a surprising double win from Jerel Hill in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Hill edged out heavy favorite Fred Payne of Warren Central 11.35 to 11.36. The result, though, wasn’t without question.

“I still thought Fred won that race,” WC coach Larry Tyrone said. “He was ahead and then they clustered right at the end. They had a photo, but you really couldn’t tell anything.”

Hill credited his start and his new shoes for the win.

“I had a real good takeoff, but even I was surprised about the 100,” he said. “I’ve improved a lot and I’ve got these new shoes to run in. Now I can go with it down to South State.”

Payne did come back to anchor the Vikings’ 4-by-200 (1:30.32) and 4-by-100 teams (43.19) to relay wins. He also won the triple jump (46-feet, 9-inches).

Hill capped his day winning the 200 meters in 22.90. James Wood won the 3200 (10:41.73) and 1600 (4:56.39) runs and was third in the 800 run.

“We’re getting better every week,” said VHS coach Toriano Wells, whose team finished with 147 points, 29 better than Hattiesburg. Warren Central was third with 92 and Natchez was next with 86.

“We came into today, knowing we could win. We got down seven after the field, but after a team meeting, we came on. We were able to qualify everybody for next week except the discus,” Wells said.