Nolan accomplished his goal of making his family proud by winning a bronze and gold medal at the IAAF World Junior Championships. | John Brannen/The Daily Cougar
If you claim to be a fan of Houston sports, then Errol Nolan is a name you need to know.
Inside the Athletics/Alumni Center is the UH Sports Hall of Fame. Located behind two glass-plated doors is a statue of Carl Lewis, along with trophies and memorabilia of the biggest names in the history of UH Athletics. Nolan said he feels confident he will leave a legacy worth remembering behind those doors.
“I’ll be in there one day,” Nolan said.
“They’ll have a statue of me.”
In his freshman season, Nolan continued to run provisional times and has added his name to a long list of elite UH sprinters. He has the second fastest 400-meter time in school history — 45.59 seconds — and hopes to break Chris Jones’ 1997 record of 44.92. He was the Conference USA champion in both the 200 and 400-meter dash. Nolan went on to win the outdoor conference championship in the 400.
“I got a personal record almost every meet or close to it, so it was a different experience. It’s something to get used to. I enjoyed it,” Nolan said.
One of the few disappointments for Nolan was June 9 at the NCAA Championships when he failed to advance past the preliminary stage in the 400. But a chance for redemption came three weeks later at the USA Track and Field Junior Championships. Nolan breezed by the competition in the 400 and qualified for the IAAF World Junior Championships in Canada.
After a preliminary round and a semifinal, Nolan made the cut for the final eight in the 400. In the final he placed third, finishing as the top American.
But the highlight of his trip came when he ran the mile relay with his American teammates. Nolan and his teammates cruised by the competition en route to becoming the Junior World 4×400-meter champions.
After winning the race, Nolan and his teammates could be seen celebrating with American flags draped on their shoulders. In several photographs Nolan showed some Cougar pride, giving the “Go Coogs” hand symbol.
“Just don’t forget where you came from,” Nolan said.
Nolan said he expects to wear the U.S. uniform again. He has his sights set on running in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and beyond.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be there,” he said.
After the progress of his freshman season, he said he is contemplating going into the professional circuit sooner than later and that he hopes to get more chances to run the 200.
“I am actually thinking about it. We have to see how it plays out the rest of this year and next season,” he said. “The 4 is my race, but I think I can be a good 200 runner as well, so I am going to be going back and forth.”
The guidance of head coach Leroy Burrell, a former Olympic gold medalist has also worked in Nolan’s favor.
“He’s been a lot of help. We have a closer relationship, more understanding of what I need to do and what I need to improve on next year,” Nolan said.
Perhaps it’s Burrell’s coaching that has inspired Nolan to pursue the same career when his running days are over. Although he is majoring in mechanical engineering technology he said his experience as an athlete has led to an interest in becoming a coach when he is done competing.
“I just want to see someone succeed and excel like I did.”
Nolan turns 19 later this month which likely means his best days are still ahead of him. After graduating high school roughly a year ago, he will get a chance for some much needed rest, an unfamiliar concept to him.
“I really don’t know how to take it,” Nolan said.
Nolan and the Cougars will resume fall training in September, with the indoor track season beginning in the middle of December.
