NATCHEZ — Natchez High’s powerlifting team was led by its seniors as the Bulldogs powered their way to a victory in the Region 3-5A meet at the Steckler Multipurpose Building on the NHS campus.

The Bulldogs ran away with the meet, scoring 71 points to take the win.

Meridian High School finished a distant second place with 43 points.

“This team has a unique makeup,” Natchez coach Joseph Johnson said. “We don’t have the huge guys we’ve had in the past, but the ones we do have are disciplined and do what they need to do in order to win.”

Johnson said the team was led by seniors Calvin Green, Roderick Allen, Jerald Johnson, Johnny Griffin, Marvin Robb, Danny Thompson and Jeremy Hammond.

“Those guys have been on a mission all season,” Johnson said. “They stepped up and led the team to a victory. A team gets better results if its seniors step up and lead the team, and our seniors did that.”

All 12 of Natchez High’s powerlifters qualified for the South State meet, which will take place March 15 at Hattiesburg High School.

“We have a lot of step-up guys on the team,” Johnson said. “I am looking forward to seeing how we will do in the South State meet.”