Up Close with TU's Carl Salazar
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer on Sep 17, 2013, at 2:28 AM Updated on 9/17/13 at 5:34 AM
TU
Logan McCracken led the University of Tulsa men's team to a fifth-place finish Tuesday in the Columbia Regional Preview at The Club of Old Hawthorne in Columbia, Mo.
Mitchell Wilbekin, rated by Scout.com as a three-star national point guard prospect, confirmed on Monday night his commitment to the University of Tulsa basketball program.
Class: Junior
Position: Kicker
Height: 5-7
Weight: 160
Major: Geology
Hometown: Broken Arrow
Salazar missed on attempts of 37 and 34 yards during the season-opening loss at Bowling Green. Nine days later, he was 3-for-3 against Colorado State. His third field goal sailed between the uprights as time expired on a 30-27 Hurricane triumph. Against Oklahoma, he was 2-for-2.
1. A transfer from the Air Force Academy, Salazar had not kicked in a game since the 2009 season at Broken Arrow High School.
"It was a long, winding road between field goals. In my last high school game, I kicked for Broken Arrow and (current TU punter) Cole Way kicked for Union. It was a state semifinal game at (H.A. Chapman Stadium). We both had a couple of field goals."
2. Following his game-winning field goal against Colorado State, Salazar was mobbed by teammates.
"I'm still bruised up from it. I had my shirt off yesterday, and people asked, 'What happened to you?' I got pretty beat up, but I didn't feel a thing at the time. It was just joy. It was awesome. I can't protect myself too well at 160 pounds. Alec Henry picked me up by my pads, and Cole Way was so happy for me. I think he didn't realize how rough he was being. I got hit by so many people."
3. TU has 32 players who weigh at least 250 pounds, and 54 players who are at least 6-foot-2. Salazar is 5-7 and 160 pounds.
"I do get reminded about that every day. Everybody has a joke about it, but I feel like part of the family here. It's not a team here. It's a family."
4. Salazar estimates that since the start of preseason camp, he has attempted more than 1,400 field goals in practice.
"Now that the season has started, I'm hitting close to 200 balls a week. I've had no problem with leg fatigue. I get a lot of rest. Today, I'm resting. I've learned to take care of myself. I want to stay fresh."
5. Salazar is on course to graduate with a degree in geology.
"I'll evaluate plots of land and come back with observations on how rich the land is with oil or natural gas, and whether we could acquire it. Whether I do it in (the U.S.) or another country, I don't know. It would be tough to turn down an opportunity to travel. I've never been outside of the United States before."
TU
Logan McCracken led the University of Tulsa men's team to a fifth-place finish Tuesday in the Columbia Regional Preview at The Club of Old Hawthorne in Columbia, Mo.
Mitchell Wilbekin, rated by Scout.com as a three-star national point guard prospect, confirmed on Monday night his commitment to the University of Tulsa basketball program.
