High School Career
During his time in high school, Carter became a star track athlete and football player. His high school track and field career included nine Florida state titles, ten regional, district and county crowns and nine Cape Coast Conference titles. Carter won state titles in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters in back-to-back years (2003 and 2004), becoming the only athlete in Florida history to do so. His 45.44 from 2004 remains as the FHSAA (Florida High School) record. During both his junior and senior years, Carter was named athlete of the year for USA Track and Field, Nike, Gatorade and National High School Coaches Association, Track and Field. After his high school career, Carter played in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was named to USA Today's All-USA team. Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Carter was listed as the No. 5 wide receiver prospect in the nation. Carter committed to Louisiana State University.
During Carter's junior year in high school he was teammates with Joe Cohen and Reggie Nelson on the football varsity, while in track ran 10.38 seconds in the 100 m sprint, 20.69 seconds in the 200 m sprint and 45.88 seconds in the 400 meters, the best in the United States in that event for 2003. As a senior Carter ran 10.29 s the 100 m sprint, 20.49 s in the 200 m sprint, and 45.44 s in the 400 m. He also set the national high school record in the indoor 200 m, with a time of 20.69 s, thus becoming the first United States high school athlete to run under 21 seconds in that event. At the 2005 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship he finished second in the 200 m finals with a time of 20.08 s.
At the same event the following year, Carter won national titles in four events and became the first person to do so since Jesse Owens accomplished the feat twice in 1935 and 1936. He was also the first athlete ever to win both the 100 m and 400 m events on the same day. He has become known as X-Man due to the first letter of his name as well as his signature victory salute of crossing his forearms to make an X.
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