NATCHEZ — Throughout their track careers at Natchez High School, senior John Ferguson and junior Freddie Singleton have been entertained by one debate — which man is the fastest?

Being greeted by “Who’s the fastest between you two,” typically draws a different response from the track duo, because in reality, there isn’t a simple answer.

“Sometimes I say he would win (a race), and sometimes I say I would win, but we really know we’re about the same speed,” Singleton said.

Though its fun to argue either way, the two said the best part about having such a debate is getting the chance to answer it on a big stage. The latest response to that popular question awaits the two at the 2015 LSU Indoor High School Classic, where Natchez High School will compete this Saturday. Because LSU enhanced its indoor track last year, the event was cancelled.

In a similar event that hosted participants from around the country, the 2014 McNeese State High School Indoor Meet, Ferguson and Singleton vividly showcased their speed. Ferguson won the preliminaries with a 6.74 time, followed by a 6.75 in the semifinals, while Singleton had top-six finishes in the preliminaries and the semifinals, before winning the finals with a 6.67. Ferguson finished third in the finals with a 6.72.

Such results against top-caliber competition surprised track coach Larry Wesley.

“That blew me away last year,” Wesley said. “This year, they have a chance to see what they can really do against the elite at LSU.”

While their success might have surprised their coach, the results certainly didn’t shock Ferguson or Singleton. In fact, brimming with confidence, the two are setting their sights high for the indoor event this weekend, as they prepare for the 60-meter dash.

“If I’m not first, he’s got to be first, and if he’s in second, I’ve got to be first,” Singleton said.

Regardless of the outcome, as long as his teammate picks up the win if he fails to do so himself, Ferguson takes just as much joy in watching his friend succeed than he would with a first-place finish.

“If he comes in first, I’m good,” Ferguson said.

The feeling is mutual, as these two track stars have grown up together, competing against high competition in and out of the state for multiple years now. At state last year, when Singleton and others had a rough start, Ferguson put the team on his back, en route to a sixth place finish in the boys 4×400 meter relay.

“When I was the first lead, and we weren’t doing so well, he was the fourth lead, and he brought us back in that event,” Singleton said. “That touched me right there.”

Ferguson and Singleton’s bond has had a huge impact on teammates. One in particular is Elisah Boyd, who transferred to Natchez from Wilkinson County. Boyd is Ferguson’s little cousin, and as a sophomore, Boyd is looking to carry on Ferguson and Singleton’s winning tradition once they’ve graduated.

“They make me push myself to a limit I didn’t think I could reach,” said Boyd, who finished third in the 400-meter dash in the McNeese event. “I think hanging with these guys will help me (improve).”

The debating, the joking around with one another at practice and every other outside noise will be silenced when this Natchez duo get set on the starting line Saturday. For Ferguson and Singleton, it’s all business at the meet, but after the meet, when the deed is done, conversations about each man’s speed will resume. And both will have fun with it.