Xavier Carter, the 20-year-old sprinter who less than two weeks ago produced the finest showing at an NCAA Championships since the days of the legendary Jesse Owens, announced today that he'll be pursuing the sport professionally, forfeiting his final two years at Louisiana State University as well as a possible career in American football.

For now, track over football

In Sacramento 11 days ago, Carter, popularly known as the "X-Man," capped a sterling weekend with a 10.09 personal best to win the 100 meters, ran the second leg on LSU's winning 4x100 relay, before anchoring the victorious 4x400 relay. The day before, he won the 400 meters in 44.53, nearly two tenths of a second ahead of the runner-up, thus becoming the first man to ever win titles in the long and short dashes at the same championships.

"After what I accomplished at the NCAA meet last week I felt there was nothing more that I could do at the college level," Carter said when announcing his decision today. "It also showed me that I have a good chance to achieve my dream of being an Olympic champion. So I decided to focus on that dream without the distractions of football or college track."

Provisionally entered in the 100, 200 and 400 at this weekend's U.S. national championships, Carter decided against competing in Indianapolis, choosing instead to recuperate from what he described as a "physically and psychologically draining" nine-race schedule in Sacramento.

"He didn't want to start at a disadvantage," said Mark Block of Total Sports Management, the firm that will represent Carter. Block added that the young star could resume his season early next month in Europe when he plans to contest a 100, 200 and possibly a 400 race.

Carter said that he'll stay in Baton Rouge where he'll continue to train, as well as complete his studies to "live up to the promise I made to my mother to get my degree from LSU. I like football," he continued, "and if I achieve my dreams in track then one day I may return. But for now it is just track."

14 wins in 15 races in 2006

Carter, who also claimed the NCAA indoor 400 meter title in March, won all but one contest in his 15 finals indoors and outdoors this year. He suffered his only loss at the NCAA Indoor Championships, where he finished second (20.30) to Walter Dix (20.27). With his four wins in Sacramento, the Melbourne, Florida native equalled a feat last accomplished in 1936 by Jesse Owens.