Whether they earn medals at Saturday’s Class 5A track and field meet at Pearl remains a question, but what looks to be within reach are new Warren Central school records for distance runner Condrea Collins and 400 meters sprinter Audrianna Ratliff.

Last week at the North State 5A meet at Madison Central, Collins broke a 20-year-old school record in the 3,200 meters, clocking a 12:15 time to finish second overall.

“I think I gave out after that,” said Collins, who was unable to qualify for the state 1,600 meter race.

The 3,200 meter result was the best run of her career and the junior runner feels she can lower the school record at Pearl.

“I ran so hard in the 3,200 and it was my best this year. I really think I can get it under 12 minutes,” Collins said.

Collins was coming off a strong cross country season, where she finished 11th overall at the state cross country meet at Choctaw Trails in Clinton. She said she uses the course during track season to cross train.

“I’ll train hard again this summer to get ready for my senior season in cross country,” Collins said. “I’m looking to break 15 minutes.”

Her dad, Derrick Collins, has been training Collins along with WC coach Matt Lum.

“The record she broke last week at North State has been around since 1989,” Derrick Collins said of the old record of 12:28.

At the same North State meet, Ratliff equaled the school record in the 400 meters at one minute flat.

“I think I can get under a minute at state,” said Ratliff, a sophomore.

The two will be joined by pole vaulter Jessica Gates as the Lady Vikes’ representatives at the state meet.

“I like the pole vault, especially when I can go high,” said Gates, who equaled the school mark of eight feet last week at north state.

The Class 4A meet starts today with the Vicksburg Gators and Missy Gators participating.

Carlos Williams will try and defend his gold medal in the shot put. Demond Calvin will have a shot to medal in the 100 and 200 meter sprints.

The Hinds AHS War Dawgs will be a heavy favorite to win the school’s seventh team championship.

The War Dawgs last won the Class 2A meet in 2005.

Last week at St. Andrew’s in the South State 2A meet, the War Dawgs won 13 out of the 16 events to rack up 175 points, 80 better than second place St. Andrew’s.

Jeremy Lee will go for triple gold in the 100 (11.24), 200 (22.69) and 400 (51.99) meter sprints.

Darius Newton, the Vicksburg Post’s 2008 All-Area Football Player of the Year, won South State in the 100 and 300 hurdles.

Justin Davis is a threat in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs while Jimmy White goes for gold in the shot and discus.

The War Dawgs will also be threats in the 800 and 1,600 meter relays.

*

Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com