Zakiya Dotson signed for track at Meridian Community College in a ceremony at the Ethel High School library Monday.
“I believe it's a good program to run track,” she said. “They really wanted me and they're close to home.”
Dotson was a three-sport athlete for Ethel, excelling in track, basketball, and powerlifting, but said, “Track is my main focus.”
She won the 200 at the 1A state meet and anchored teams that finished second in the 400 and 800 relays.
In basketball, she was Region 5-1A defensive Player of the Year and led the Lady Tigers in rebounds, steals, and assists.
In powerlifting, she won a bronze medal for the 123-pound weight class at the Class I (1A and 2A) state meet.
“She’s a naturally gifted athlete. She has some God-given athletic ability,” said Corey Parish, who coached Dotson in all three sports. “She is hard working, as well. She can be a little stubborn at times, but that makes her competitive.”
Dotson plans to study nursing and hopes to go on to a Division I school, possibly Alcorn State, which offered her in track.
Meridian has indoor track in the winter and outdoor track in the spring.
