http://www.lsusports.net/cached/topstory3.html?1116223202916 NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tigers Xavier Carter and Kelly Willie captured individual conference titles in the sprints Sunday evening at the SEC Outdoor Championships as the fourth and final day of competition came to an end for the LSU track and field team at Vanderbilt Track. The two individual crowns coupled with the Tigers' second-place finishes in both the 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays helped the LSU squad to 76 points and a fifth-place team showing. Arkansas won their third consecutive men's outdoor conference crown scoring 169 points to runner up Florida's 116 points. South Carolina won the women's team race for the first time since 2002, scoring 145.20 points to outlast runner-up Arkansas who finished second with 123.20 points. The Lady Tigers tallied 84 points to place sixth overall. Individually, Carter provided the highlights for one of the most exciting races of the day as the freshman phenom knocked off defending NCAA champion and current world leader Wallace Spearmon of Arkansas to claim the 200 meter title. Running just his second open 200 of the season, Carter shattered the school and stadium records, crossing the line in blazing 20.16 speed. The time, which bettered the previous school record of 20.21 set by NCAA champion Rohsaan Griffin in 1996, ranks as the third fastest in the world this season. "Honestly, that wasn't expected," said Shaver. "I asked him not to overdo it in the race, but he was feeling pretty good, his posture was better, he ran relaxed and he was able to do it." Willie gave the Tigers their other title of the night, successfully defending his 400-meter crown. The Olympian and 11-time All-American crossed the line in 45.51 to become just the sixth man in conference history to win back-to-back SEC titles in the event. "I told Kelly that because of the weather it wasn't a good day to run real fast," said Shaver. "I asked him just to position himself to win the race. I thought he ran smart and was able to comfortably win the race." Carter and Willie also helped the Tigers' to runner-up honors in both the short and long relays as the 4x100 finished in 39.31 and the 4x400 posted the eighth fastest time in school history, 3:02.95. Helping on both those relays was senior Bennie Brazell. He also placed third in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 49.70.
Speed is great, but let's just keep our fingers crossed that he has come a long way from taking a kick off a yard out of the end zone and then backing up across the plain to kneel it. He has to calm down a lot come game time. Every down that Saban tried to work him in last year he looked confused. All that being said, it was his freshman year, and he will probably improve dramatically this year.:lsup:
An LSU athlete just won the SEC 200m dash & in doing so ran the 3rd fastest time in the world & all you can do is bring up one stupid freshman mistake? Do you really believe you will need to cross your fingers for him not to make that mistake again? I was at the spring game & X took a kick-off straight up the middle & broke to side lines for a TD. Last year he would run sideways looking for an opening. Also, he didn't look confused to me at all. Every time I saw him in a game he made the best of his opportunities. He looked pretty good in games where he got some playing time (MSU & ASU). Great Job X!!
A guy I played high school ball with played at Tennessee. His name is leonard scott. Very fast kid, probably will be in the olympics in 08. He was kick returner and a pretty good one, but he didnt have much as far as football skills go. Now X-Man is a similar guy speed wise, but he has size and has some ball skils... i seriously think he will be in contention for the Hiesmen by his senior year...
I wish we could lay off of the kick-off mistake last year. And who DIDN'T look bad against UGA last year?
