Prep track | Manatee sprinter Brandon Carnes to join brother Brion at Northern Iowa

BRADENTON -- Brotherly love is something Brandon Carnes takes seriously.

It means so much to the track standout that he was willing to give up the possible glamour of competing for a major college powerhouse.

Instead, Manatee High's record-holder in the 100- and 200-meter dash signed a letter of intent Thursday to run for the University of Northern Iowa, an NCAA Division I track program in the Missouri Valley Conference.

"I took a visit there last week and felt it was the right place," Carnes said. "I feel the coaches there will bring out the best in me, and it's a benefit to have my brother, Brion, there. When I told him I was coming, he was shocked and real excited."

Brion Carnes, a former Manatee football star, transferred from Nebraska to Northern Iowa this spring and will be competing for the starting quarterback job with two years of eligibility remaining.

Brandon Carnes, a two-time Herald All-Area Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year, finished third in the Class 4A state track meet in the 100 and 200. His personal best time in the 100 is 10.49 seconds and 21.24 in the 200. He also was a member of Manatee's record-setting 400 relay team (42.05 seconds).

"Brandon had three full-ride offers for track, which is very rare," longtime Manatee track coach Mike Smith said. "The coaches at Northern Iowa are very aware of how fortunate they are to have him. I told them he was a steal for them, and they know it. Brandon is one of the top 30 high school sprinters in the country in both the 100 and the 200."

The best time at the MVC outdoor meet finals in the 100 dash this season was 10.54 seconds, 21.74 seconds in the 200.

Carnes had scholarship offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Tulsa, East Tennessee State and North Carolina. He was going to visit some of those schools, but changed his mind after his trip to Northern Iowa.

"I can't even tell you how excited Brion was and they already asked me to play football up there, but I am not going to," the 5-foot-8, 145-pounder said. "Right now, I couldn't be happier to begin the next chapter of my life. My goal is to be the top sprinter on the team, win conference and go to the NCAA nationals."

Plans are for Carnes to run the 100 and 200 during the outdoor season and the 60 meters and 200 meters during the indoor season. While in high school, he competed in indoor meets at the University of Florida.

This story was originally published June 21, 2013 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Prep track | Manatee sprinter Brandon Carnes to join brother Brion at Northern Iowa."