The biggest win of your career so far has been the class 5A 100m State Championship last year, which you won in 12.15 seconds. With the 5A state record within site at 12.03, do you think this is the year it will fall?
I definitely hope to break this state record before the end of the season. I am working very hard to break 12.0 seconds for the outdoor season.
Since winning your 5A sectional and the 5A state championship in the 100m, you have also won all three 55m races you ran in indoor, including the 5A state championship, and the 100m sprints at the Leeds Invitational and Hoover Relays. It's a been a long time since you've lost a short sprint race! Is the "streak" something you're consciously aware of and are trying to keep alive through your senior season?
Yes. I have taken a different approach to my races through my attitude and level of confidence than last year and I believe that my "streak" has resulted from this change. I'm human along with everyone else and like everyone else, nervousness arises; but because it's my senior year I know there is no time for mistakes.
QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN - Carter, second from left, was strides ahead of the competition at the King of the Mountain Championships on March 15.(photo: Aaron Jones)
In which races this season do you hope to do especially well in? Is there anyone in particular you look forward to racing?
This season as with the whole duration of my running career, the 100m is my heart and I am always looking forward to that race at every track meet. However, I'm anticipating on doing well in the 200m and breaking 25 seconds, which has always been my weaker race. I am especially looking forward to the 200m at State competition against Shante Lockett from Athens.
You and your cross-town rival from Erwin, Katrina Harrell, have battled out the sprints for a few years now. Do you two consider it a special rivalry? Who holds the upper hand in the 100m? The 200m?
I haven't seen Katrina run in a while, so I don't really consider her a "rival," but based on past running experiences with her, she's a great runner.
Through the years you've had the opportunity to run with some very fast teammates, such as your current teammate Tiffany Stubbs, and won several state championships in the relays. How do you weigh your relay successes against your success in the individual sprints?
I try to share with my relay team the attitude that lives in my individual races and that strategy has seemed to do well.
 Carter anchors the Ram 4x1 to gold at the 2002 state meet (photo: Barry Farris) |
What has been the key to Ramsay's continued success on the track? Has it been up to the coach to recruit girls from the school, or do the athletes recruit new members by bringing friends out for practice? No one exactly recruits new members. If one is interested in running track, they join us at practice. As I just mentioned, you've been a member of several state-winning relays. However, you've also been on some relay teams to suffer some unfortunate DQ's at important meets. How do you explain Ramsay's high's and low's at state relays? This year our team is new, so I believe that our DQ's result from inexperience. If you could have any race to run over again, which would it be? |
I would run the anchor leg in the 4x100 relay at Nationals over again from this past summer. We didn't quite make it to finals, but I believe that with a little extra drive toward the end as anchor, I could've made a better lead.
What moment would you want to relive as the highpoint of your career?
When I crossed the finish line of the 100m at state last year in the finals.
When did you (or someone else) first notice your exceptional speed? Did you decide at that moment to run track, or did that decision come later?
In middle school, eighth grade, my coach, Leroy Washington, kept pressing me to run track. After an unsuccessful basketball season (0-15), I was reluctant to play anything. But I suppose he saw that the speed I used on the court could be used on the track.
Who have been the major influences in aiding to the success of your high school career?
My mother, Teresa Browne-Carter, and my coach, Larry Holmes, have been the major influences. At times my freshman and sophomore years, I was very close to quitting because of the tiresome workouts. My mom told me to be patient and that running would be worthwhile in the future. My coach instilled the confidence that I have in me now that I lacked years before.
In what significant ways has track influenced your life outside of actual competition?
It has taught me that if I am focused and work hard at a goal, I can accomplish it. It has also taught me how to be a team player and how important the team effort is in accomplishing the goal. Additionally, track has given me a great deal of self-esteem.
Your times from high school are already fast enough for the collegiate level, and you continue to improve. What school will enjoy your talents after you graduate from Ramsay in May?
I am asked this question day-after-day, but UAB is at the top of my list.
What has been the major difference in being a senior this year, versus years past?
As previously stated, because it's my senior year I have no room for error. It's very tough because I am looked at closer academically, socially, and athletically because I will be graduating soon.
If you had to give up either your looks, your speed, or your academics, which would be the first to go?
My looks, beyond the shadow of a doubt, would go because you don't have to look pretty to receive recognition. Your talents are shown through WHAT you do, not HOW you look.
If you could change one thing about the sport of track & field, what would it be?
I would like for it to be recognized more by the schools locally. I feel track is just as important as football and basketball, but most schools don't put a lot of emphasis or money into track.