University of Houston Athletics
Williams, Carter Complete U.S. Trials
7/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Eugene, Ore. -- After nine days of competition, senior hurdler Issac Williams and alumnus triple jumper Chris Carter wrapped competition for the Houston Cougar Track and Field team at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, on Saturday in Eugene, Ore.
An All-American in his time with the Cougars, Carter opened Saturday's action in the finals of the men's triple jump, after qualifying seventh overall on Thursday, with a best of 54-6.5 (16.62m). Carter improved to 55-2.0 (16.81m) on his first attempt of the night to sit fifth after the first set of jumps, and earn three final jumps. However, Carter was unable to improve on his opening mark, eventually finishing the competition in sixth.
Williams was on the track for the semifinals of the 110-meter hurdles after qualifying with the fifth fastest time in the first round at 13.63 on Friday. Running in the second heat, Williams crossed the line in 13.69 to place fourth in his heat and 12th overall. The Willingboro, N.J. native finished his career with the Cougars as the No. 2 hurdler in school history in each of the 110- and 60-meter hurdles.
Senior LeShon Collins was in action on Thursday for his second event of the trials, competing in the 200-meter dash. Collins finished in 25.16 to place 36th overall in the race around the curve. The Newark, Del., native also ran in the 100-meter dash last week where he finished 31st in 10.41.
Houston opened last Saturday's competition with Jack Thomas on the runway for the men's javelin, where he finished the event 20th after throwing 213-8 (65.14m) on his opening throw. Cameron Burrell competed in the first round of the 100, finishing in 10.18, to place 25th.
Incoming freshman Samiyah Samuels competed on the opening day of the trials in the women's long jump. Samuels, who will be a freshman for the Cougars next season and was impressive on the national stage after collecting a top mark of 20-3.75 (6.19m) to finish 17th. The leap for Samuels would have given her the second best mark in The American Athletic Conference this season.
NATIONALLY RANKED SIGNING CLASS
The Cougars made noise throughout the entire offseason when the men's signing class was ranked as the No. 2 class in the nation by Flotrack last July. The current freshmen on campus are led by three incoming student-athletes on the MileSplit All-American team. Marcus McWilliams (110m hurdles), Gerald Mills (200m) and John Lewis III (100m) all earned All-America honors, while distance runner Jahnavi Schneider was named as the No. 3 cross country recruit in the state of Texas by TxRunning.com.
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