Freedom’s Smith earns 17th all-American title; Demps wins 100 crown at NCAAs

Posted Jun 11, 2010 by Bill Ward

Updated Jun 11, 2010 at 11:22 PM

Former Freedom High track standout Calvin Smith II, a University of Florida senior, captured the 17th all-American title of his college career Friday by placing fourth in the finals of the men’s 400-meter dash at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Earlier in the meet Friday, Smith’s sophomore teammate Jeff Demps of Groveland kept the Gators’ team title hopes alive when he won the 100 finals in a wind-aided time of 9.96 seconds. Although pushed along by a wind of 2.5 meters per second, it’s still one of the fastest times in the world this season under any conditions.

Smith held the lead near 200 meters but that’s when Alabama freshman Kirani James, a native of Grenada who was was the Southeastern Conference champion, came off the curve and took control of the race. James powered to first place in 45.05, Arizona State’s Donald Sanford (45.21) was second, Joey Hughes (45.23) of Southern California was third and Smith (45.37), Florida’s all-time leader in all-American crowns, earned fourth.

“I was feeling good most of the way but (Demetrius) Pender (of Texas A&M), who was next to me in Lane 2, came up on me and kind of made me kick before I really wanted to,” said Smith, who will finish his college career Saturday when he runs for the Gators in the 4x400 relay finals. “I felt like I was still moving up toward the front but then I started to tighten with about 60 (meters) to go.”

University of South Florida sophomore David Aristil also grabbed all-American honors Friday by placing fifth in the 400 hurdles finals. Aristil, a native of Boynton Beach, ran 51.05 while South Carolina’s Johnny Dutch took first place in 48.75. Aristil’s showing ties him for the fourth-best finish ever by a USF male athlete at the NCAA finals.