While racing through woods and frequent uneven terrain of a 3-mile cross country trek, many members of Natchez High School’s team do all they can to focus on anything but running.

And while every runner has their different method of competing, Courtney Beverly has a common go-to thought.

“McDonald’s,” she said.

Though the thought of food at the finish line is often what fuels Beverly during a race, she said it is about much more than that.

“Over time I have learned leadership skills,” the sophomore Bulldog said. “It takes hard work and dedication.”

Natchez is set to host its invitational meet at 4 p.m. today with between six and eight different schools scheduled to compete, including newly established Vidalia and Ferriday High.

The Bulldogs are about halfway through their season, and additional top performers believe the sport has a lot to offer.

Junior Promise Batteaste — who placed second at last week’s meet in Natchez — is set to graduate a year early this year and hopes cross country will help her in the near future.

“It has taught me a lot of things about hard work,” she said. “A lot of people think you can take the easy way out, but you can’t just do that. When I go out to get a job, by doing all the hard work I know it’s going to help me with what I am doing. If you really want to do it, you have to be out here every day to get better.”

Batteaste has a running method of her own, as well.

“I usually don’t say anything,” she said. “I like to think of music in my head like I’m listening to the radio station.”

Through hot and muggy weather, Natchez sticks together, too.

Junior Isaiah Wesley — who placed first out of approximately 30 runners last week — said he often receives reassurance from his teammates.

“It feels encouraging,” he said.

Wesley said he has been working on perfecting his form this past summer and doesn’t like to receive high-fives, yet a simple smile does the job.

“Even if you are doing bad, when someone smiles at you it makes you want to push harder,” he said.

The Bulldogs aren’t just focusing on the veterans, either.

This is the first year Natchez has fielded a junior varsity squad, and freshman Joshua Credit is thankful to get the early start.

“I think it’s making us better,” he said.

While it may be a tough sport, Batteaste is hoping the difficulty continues to motivate her.

“People usually think about how far it is, but you can’t think about that. It’s better to relax, look straight up and keep running,” she said.