Condrea Collins wants to have a better senior season than last year when she struggled to complete the 1,600-meter run at the state track and field meet.

If Friday’s Gator Relays are any indication, she’s off to great start. The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff signee was named the meet’s Most Valuable Performer after sweeping the distance events. Her wins in the 3,200-, 1,600- and 800-meter runs also helped the Lady Vikes take the team title over Natchez, Vicksburg and Port Gibson.

“I feel real good about this year,” Collins said after wrapping her day with a third-place showing in the 4×400 relay. “My goal is to go to state in all three events and I think we can go in the 4×400 relay once we get our other two girls back.”

WC coach Matt Lum had five girls missing but the 11 that showed managed to roll up 181 points. Natchez was second with 154, followed by Vicksburg with 121 and Port Gibson with 63. Natchez won the boys meet with 171 points while Warren Central took second at 154. VHS was third with 153 and Port Gibson 125.

“We’ve got 16 on the team but we were without five today because of the holiday. We went to St. Andrew’s and we won the one at our place. I had to move some people around in the relay events because of the absences,” Lum said.

Having Collins there was enough. She won the 1,600-meter run in 5:57.17 and the 800 run in 2:36.80. The Lady Vikes also got a win from Sh’Qulla Neal in the 100-meter dash at 12.75 seconds.

“In order to do well at state, I’m going to need to get down to 12 minutes in the 3,200, about 2:18 in the 800 and 5:20 in the mile,” Collins said.

Vicksburg girls coach Dedra Robinson said her team continues to make progress. Alexis Cosby won the 300 hurdles in 57.01 seconds while Robin Cooper won the discus.

“We’re improving. We’re better with each meet and we’ve done that by working on our times,” Robinson said. “Jazmine Washington had a good day getting second in the triple jump and the 100 hurdles and she did well on both our 4×100 and 4×200 relays.”

The Warren Central boys needed to win the 1,600-meter relay to edge out the rival Gators for second place. Walter King won the 1,600-meter run in 5:04.38. Mykel Gibson was second in the 1,600 run and won the 800-meter run in 2:12.70.

“The 1,600-meter relay has been our best event this year,” WC coach Larry Tyrone said.

The Gators’ highlight was Demond Calvin winning the 100-meter dash in 11.03 seconds and teammate Rashun Thomas finishing second in 11.07. The pair then helped the Gators win the 4×100 and 4×200 relays.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com