NATCHEZ — If energy is a gateway for success, Taliyah Harding will have an unlimited amount at Natchez High School.

Harding doesn’t refrain from voicing her opinion while competing in cross country, and Natchez head coach Larry Wesley appreciates her enthusiasm.

“She makes the other kids want to run harder,” Wesley said. “She’s fussy.”

While Harding admitted she could be fussy, she also has a quiet side unseen. In her downtime, the eighth grader, who said she makes A’s and B’s, enjoys reading.

“I’ve been doing that since I was a little girl,” Harding said. “I read a whole lot, and my English teacher makes us read a lot of books.”

But undoubtedly Harding has a passionate side. Whether she’s fussing at opponents for nudging one of her teammates to try and gain a competitive advantage, pumping her team up to show more energy or thriving to excel in the classroom, Harding wears her emotions on her sleeves.

This rings true when Harding makes a bad grade in a class.

“When I make a bad grade, I feel upset, and I’ll cry,” Harding said. “My momma has to cheer me up, telling me to push and try harder.”

With the grades she’s making, Harding hasn’t had much to cry about lately, and with the success she’s enjoyed in cross country, she’s had plenty to boast about.

Wesley said Harding third overall in the 800-meters as a seventh grader last year.

Along with reading, Harding is trying to prepare herself physically for more success. Her mother has encouraged her to go to the gym on weekends to work on getting stronger and faster. Wesley has seen the results, and he said she’s starting to add more to her game.

“She’s growing up fast mentally,” Wesley said.

Harding has her eyes on her grades above all else, though.

“I want to go out of my way to do a lot of things to keep my grades up, so whenever it’s time for me to graduate, I’ll have scholarships,” Harding said.