Tim Stevens, Staff Writer
East Wake track standout Lamar Davis signed with the University of Florida last week.
Davis was the N.C. High School Athletic Association runner-up in the 1,000 meters indoors and the 800 meters outdoors during the 2005-06 season.
But Davis caught recruiters' attention by winning the National AAU Junior championship in the 800 meters at Morgan State University.
His 1:50.5 finish was the third fastest in the country by a high school runner last year.
"I really got in great shape and ran my best time during the summer," Davis said.
Davis said he found a family atmosphere at Florida during his visit to Gainesville.
"Everyone was very friendly, and they made me feel welcome," said Davis, who also played on the East Wake football team.
Football coach Jimmy Williams said Davis hasn't reached his potential yet.
"He is such a good young man, and he has such a good work ethic, I believe he will excel in college," Williams said. "I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the Olympics one day."
BOOZER PICKS IOWA STATE: Charles Boozer, a 6-foot-2 graduate of Leesville Road, signed with Iowa State for basketball.
Boozer, a shooting guard, averaged 17 points per game in 2005-06. He now is playing at Simi Valley (Calif.) Stoneridge School.
"I think he will have a chance to contribute as a freshman," Leesville Road coach Darryl Robinson said. "Iowa State is a very good fit for him. He is going to a great program in a great conference."
Boozer's older brother, Carlos, starred at Duke and currently plays for the NBA's Utah Jazz.
ENLOE SWIMMER JOINS VOLS: Geoffrey Sanders, a two-time high school All-America selection, signed with Tennessee.
He has qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 1,500-meter freestyle and is captain of the U.S. team that will compete in January's junior Pan Pacific Championship meet in Hawaii.
Sanders was second in the 200-yard individual medley and third in the 500-yard freestyle in last year's NCHSAA 4-A championships.
Enloe teammate Katie Jackson has signed with the University of Ohio.
PACK GETS PALMER: N.C. State has signed Durham Riverside wrestler Colton Palmer.
Palmer was the NCHSAA champion at 125 pounds as a sophomore and was the 140-pound favorite as a junior before he suffered a compression fracture in his neck during the regional finals.
He had won 121 consecutive matches before the forfeit loss.
Palmer was 74-3 as a freshman at 103 pounds, 61-0 at 125 as a sophomore in 2005, and 58-1 as a junior at 140 for a 193-4 career record.
ACADEMY GIRLS SIGN: Cary Academy point guard Bryelle Smith and teammate Brittany Blackwell signed Division I women's basketball scholarships last week.
Blackwell, who averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds last season, signed with UNC-Wilmington.
Smith, who averaged 14 points and five assists, signed with Clemson.
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