University of Houston Athletics
Errol Nolan Feature Story
12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Dec. 1, 2010
Story appeared in the Nov. 13 Football gameday program
Errol Nolan burst onto the Houston track and field scene as a freshman and helped lead the Cougars sweep the indoor and outdoor Conference USA titles, for a second consecutive year. After a dominating freshman track campaign and a successful summer where he gained international track experience, Nolan is set to help lead the Cougars for the 2010-11 track and field season.
The Rosenberg, Texas, native came to the University of Houston after a stellar career at nearby Lamar Consolidated High School. Nolan was an accomplished track star in his own right while in high school with multiple district and regional titles and even a state championship in the 400-meter his senior year.
While most track and field athletes would be thrilled with a state championship as a senior and multiple district and regional titles, Nolan felt he still had room to grow. He was a year younger than most of his competitors in high school and didn't focus on track until his junior and senior seasons.
"I can't say even my expectations matched my performance this past year," Nolan said. "For example, in the 400-meters, I was only planning on running a 46-second mark but I was able to turn in a 45.59, which even surprised me."
"We weren't too surprised at how well he performed," head coach Leroy Burrell counters. "He tested very well in the fall so we knew he could be pretty special since he had been so young and was still maturing physically. We just didn't know he would explode onto the scene so quickly."
Those gains he incurred his freshman season helped Nolan earn C-USA Indoor High Point Scorer and Freshman of the Meet during the indoor season while he captured the C-USA Freshman of the Year honor in the outdoor competition.
"It was a great freshman season and all those honors are awesome, but it was a one-time thing - I'm not a freshman anymore. I'm looking to keep improving with or without the awards."
Nolan finished 22nd in the 400-meter at the NCAA Outdoor Championships under tough race conditions with wind and rain hampering his performance. He did run the 13th fastest 400-meter time among all NCAA competitors during the year and with another year of experience, maturity and training, that number will only continue to be whittled away at.
Like most elite track athletes, Nolan dreams of representing his country in Olympic competition. Nolan was able to get his first taste of international competition this past summer when he competed at the IAAF Junior Championships.
Nolan was the top American runner in the 400-meter event and placed third overall. He also helped the USA 4x400-meter relay team earn the gold. The IAAF games served as a taste of what is to come for Nolan.
"London is definitely one of my next goals. I really feel I can make it there and as I continue to train here at the University of Houston, making it to the Olympics in a few years will be a big goal of mine."
Coach Burrell believes Nolan's goals are possible.
"He's already one of the best in the world at his level. To even get to the point of bettering international competition, you have to clear a lot of mental and physical hurdles. His work ethic parallels his talent level. He's got to keep working hard but reaching the Olympics is a realistic goal for him."
Nolan has a long road ahead of him but with his abilities, he'll cover that ground faster than most. Be sure to catch Nolan and the rest of the Houston track and field program when they return to action this winter.
Players Mentioned
