Smith caps stellar track career for Gators

Posted Jun 13, 2010 by Bill Ward

Updated Jun 13, 2010 at 12:38 AM

Freedom High product Calvin Smith II wrapped up his NCAA career at the University of Florida with another all-American track title—but narrowly missed taking the team crown—when he and his Gators teammates finished third in the 4x400-meter relay in the final day of competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Saturday in Eugene, Ore.

Smith earned his school record 18th all-American honors when he anchored the Gators to third place in the relay in 3 minutes, 1.87 seconds. Smith’s official split time in the race was 43.69, the seventh fastest ever recorded for the 4x400 in NCAA history.

When he ran for Baylor, Michael Johnson, who went on to win multiple Olympic gold medals and world championships in both the 400 and 200, split 43.50.

Texas A&M won Saturday’s 4x400 relay and, following the conclusion of the long jump, its second straight men’s team championship when it crossed the finish line in 3:00.89.

The Aggies scored 55 points, Florida, this year’s NCAA indoor champion, was just one point behind in second place and host Oregon (45) finished third. Texas A&M women also won their second straight NCAA crown.