Niceville's Carr signs with Vandy for track

By ADAM PRUIETT

adamp@nwfdailynews.com

NICEVILLE - There wasn't supposed to be any doubt where Anna Carr would attend college.

One of her brothers graduated from Auburn University, another is currently a student there and her family owns property in the city. That, and Carr loved the school.

But then during her senior year at Niceville, Carr's mind-set started expanding. A track standout who would go on to become the Daily News girls Track Athlete of the Year, she decided that she wanted to have the option of playing a sport in college on her menu - just in case.

Capping a year where she made breathtaking strides as a sprinter for the Eagles, Carr indeed started receiving those Division I offers that she strived for and her pursuit landed her a scholarship at Vanderbilt University.

A prestigious academic institution, Vanderbilt appealed to Carr academically even more so than athletically.

"Like they say, it's the Ivy League of the South," said Carr, who signed with the Commodores.

When coach Henry Spillers took over Niceville's track program this year, he met with Carr and together they established ambitious but attainable goals for her senior season.

After diligent training in the off-season, Carr delivered by breaking into the top 100 national rankings in both the 100-meter run and 200-meter run. In those two events at the Class 4A state meet, Carr captured third place. She won both events at the regional meet.

"She responds well to challenges and rises to the occasion when called for," said Spillers, who added that Carr will only get better at Vanderbilt: "Her upside is huge because she'll still continue to improve in strength and technique."

Until recently, Carr hadn't envisioned a college life that included athletics. She saw herself cheering for a Southeastern Conference school in Auburn, not competing for one, like she'll do at Vanderbilt.

"Actually, I never wanted to run in college until last year," she said. "It's kind of shocking to be able to get this far."