NATCHEZ — Expectations are high as the Natchez High track team prepares for the MHSAA District 6-5A track meet in Jackson.

And the Bulldogs only want one thing — a victory.

“I know we’re going to win,” senior Rico Richardson said. “We’re just good — nobody can really beat us.”

Added senior Rolando Prater: “We’ve just been beating everybody so bad, we’re going to smash out in district Tuesday. I don’t think anybody’s going to beat us in our district. We’re very confident in ourselves.”

And this confidence isn’t unjustified.

The Bulldogs have run the District 6 table this season with their six seniors’ help, and the only team really standing in their way is Wingfield, which beat out Natchez for the district title last season.

“I wouldn’t really call it revenge because we should have beat (Wingfield) last year,” coach Larry Wesley said. “But each and every coach, no matter what sport, sets goals. This year I set a goal for us to win district, especially the boys.”

Senior Ernest Jones is arguably the best high jumper in the district with a 6-foot-3-inch personal record.

He said he hopes to break that personal best on Tuesday.

“I expect to win — I expect to jump about 6-foot-4-inches and in long jump about 22 (feet),” he said. “I just got to practice hard because I have to place in my events. It takes a lot of practice and heart.”

Junior Alicia Wimley has won the triple jump at nearly all of Natchez’s meets this season, and she also competes in the 200- and 400-meter runs an the 4×400-meter relay.

Wesley said he has high hopes for her and also for Wesley Pendleton, who rns the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes and a relay.

But for Prater, in his second season on the track team, it’s all about the bragging rights.

“When I come back from (Hinds Community) College everybody’s going to be like, ‘Man, y’all went all the way,’ and I’ll be like, ‘Now it’s your turn’ and tell them what they got to do to go.”

Wesley coached six consecutive state championship seasons from 2000-06, and he said he’s anxious to get back there again.

Although the Lady Bulldogs may have some trouble against Wingfield, he knows this is the year for the boys’ team.

“If I don’t get close to winning state this year, it won’t happen for a while,” he said. “Some of them are just that good. I’m not predicting we’re going to win state yet, but I’m predicting we’re going to win district.”