A relative of yore's?
UA track athletes compete for spots at nationals By Tommy Deas Sports Writer May 28, 2004 A year ago, Steven Boozer was a tall, lanky kid who could throw a discus pretty good, even though he didn't know what he was doing. Now the University of Alabama freshman from Pulaski, Miss., is poised to earn a spot at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. Boozer is one of several UA athletes competing in the NCAA Regional at Baton Rouge, La., which runs today and Saturday. The top five finishers in each event earn a bid to the national meet June 9-12 in Austin, Texas. Boozer is ranked 20th in the nation in the discus with a best throw of 184 feet, 4 inches. "That would be a great accomplishment, to go to nationals as a freshman," he said. Considering the circumstances, a trip to the nationals for Boozer would be remarkable. He learned to throw the discus on his own, watching tapes of other throwers and working with his father. "I never had a coach at high school," he said. "I just worked on it every day after school." Alabama assistant coach Rod Tiffin got a tip that convinced him to take a look at Boozer last year. What he discovered was a 6-foot-6 kid with raw talent who was throwing good distances with no technique. "We get these calls all the time," Tiffin said. "They told me he's throwing 200 feet in practice, and that raised my eyebrows. "If you saw him in high school and saw him now, you wouldn't know you're looking at the same guy. He's put on about 35 pounds and his technique has changed completely." Even with the weight gain, Boozer still looks on the skinny side at about 210 pounds. "I would say at least 80 percent of the other guys I compete against are 6-3 to 6-4 and have an average of 30 or 40 pounds on me," he said. "I've done pretty well as far as what I came here with. "I just turned 19 years old a couple of days ago. I've got that advantage to grow and develop. I see nothing but a straight road ahead." Boozer has earned an invitation to the IAAF World Junior Championships this summer in Italy. As his technique gets better, Tiffin believes he can compete at the national and international level. "He's a guy that's going to lead our team for the next three years," the coach said. Among the other athletes on the Alabama men's teams competing at the regional are Peter Etoot in the 800 meters and 1,500, Gabe Warren in the high jump, Todd Fayant in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and Byron Gibson in the 110-meter hurdles. Alabama's regional chances took a blow when star sprinter Chauncey Harris had knee surgery after the SEC Championships. The other competitors on a young team hope to take up the slack. "We've got to carry the banner," said Warren, a junior. ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
