A local product was back in town Saturday to partake in the Track and Field State Games of Mississippi event.

Former Meridian High School star and current Mississippi College standout Kiana Grant put her skills up against the state’s best athletes.

And Grant shined.

The former Lady Wildcat leapt 17-7 to earn first place in her age group in the long-jump.

“I wanted to come out here and have fun,” Grant said. “I’m just out here doing this for fun and to get a workout.”

Grant is fresh off a freshman campaign in which she helped the Lady Choctaws come away with a 13th place finish at the NCCAA National Championships.

“My freshman season went really well,” Grant said. “My indoor season kind of started off a little slow, then when my outdoor season came around, I think I did well.”

She’s not kidding.

Grant set four new individual school records and was a member of two more team-relay records in the 4×100 and 4×400 events.

“I broke the records in long jump (19-2), triple jump (38-5), 400 dash (47.8) and the 100 (12:39), Grant explained. “I’m pretty excited about what I achieved.”

For her efforts, Grant was named to the All-American team.

But the freshman sensation isn’t settling.

“I’m more excited for (my sophomore season),” Grant said. “I made a lot of progress this season, and if I stay on the same track I’ll keep getting better.”

But before Grant sets her sights on her sophomore campaign, she looks to pass down the wisdom she’s gained to her sister, Princess Grant.

“I’m going to be coaching her next, and I’m trying to get her to be as good as me when she gets to my age,” Kiana Grant said.

The 12-year old Grant said she had great admiration for her older sister.

“She’s pretty good,” Princess Grant said. “She taught me how to long jump and how do sprint techniques correctly.”

Added Kiana Grant, “She’s decent right. She has a lot of progress to make and a a of potential.”

NAYLOR EARNS GOLD

Corredius Naylor had never competed in the high jump event before, but that didn’t slow down the Meridian High product.

Naylor jumped 5-6 to claim top honors at the Track and Field State Games of Mississippi meet Saturday.

“i just wanted to come out and have fun (Saturday),” Naylor said. “I practiced two days this past week to get ready for it.”

Naylor is typically a distance runner on the Wildcats track squad, but Saturday’s results has the junior thinking more could potentially on his plate next season.

“I could do this,” Naylor said. “But we had fun. We had a little competition (Saturday) trying to one up each other.”