Wesson track and field coach Rusty Newman has seen his team battle some stiff competition over the last few years as a MHSAA 3A school.

With the Cobras in their first year as a 2A school after reclassification, Newman had high expectations for the 2020 season.

That of course didn’t come to fruition after COVID-19 forced school to move to distance learning just as track season was starting.

Seniors Damien Smith and Ethan Ainsworth both had strong seasons as juniors and Newman knows they would have been favorites in their strongest events as 2A competitors.

“I hate it for those two guys because they’ve always shown a love of track and I thought this was going to be a payoff for them,” said Newman. “Damien has been competing against some of the best athletes in the state as a 3A long-jumper and he had been working harder than I’ve ever seen him work to get ready for his senior year. Ethan’s specialty is the discus and I also think he would have been a state meet qualifier this year.”

Ethan Ainsworth

The son of Chad and Keli Ainsworth, Ethan plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College next year where he will be a member of the cheer team. A decorated student during his time at Wesson, Ainsworth was also a Daily Leader All-Area football selection as a senior as a lineman.

Scott Hutt

The son of Johnathan Hutt, Scott plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College. A first-year member of the track team who ran the 800m, Hutt was the Daily Leader All-Area Defensive MVP in football as a senior.

Damien Smith

The son of Dabera Lynch, Damien plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College and study heating and air condition technology. A sprinter who ran all of the relay races for Wesson, Smith was also a member of the Daily Leader All-Area football team as a senior wide receiver while also playing basketball for Wesson.