Chris Carter (triple jumper) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chris Carter (triple jumper)

Carter at the 2018 USA Outdoor Championships
Personal information
Born	March 11, 1989 (1989-03-11) (age 36)
Sport
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	Triple jump

Chris Carter is an American athlete who was born on March 11, 1989. He is known for competing in the triple jump, which is a track and field event. Chris has achieved a personal best jump of 17.15 m (56 ft 3.07185040 in) meters. This impressive jump happened in 2014.

In 2014, he became the USA Indoor Champion in the triple jump. Chris has also represented the United States in big international competitions. He finished sixth at both the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Before becoming a professional athlete, he competed for the Houston Cougars college team.

Chris Carter's Athletic Journey

Starting Out in Track and Field

Chris Carter was born in Austin, Texas. He started his journey in track and field sports when he was in high school. He focused on jumping events and also ran in hurdling races. In 2007, he became the Texas State high school champion in the triple jump.

That same year, he won the long jump at the Texas Relays. He also competed in both the long jump and triple jump at the AAU Junior Olympic Games. At this event, he finished fifth in the long jump. He won the triple jump with a new AAU record of 15.88 m (52 ft 1.07185040 in) meters. When he finished high school, his best long jump was 7.18 m (23 ft 6.55216536 in) meters. He also ran the 400-meter hurdles in 53.90 seconds.

College Sports Career

Chris decided to study at the University of Houston because of its excellent track and field facilities. Famous athletes like Carl Lewis and Leroy Burrell had also trained there. In his first year, he won the triple jump at the Conference USA indoor championship. He also placed fourth in the long jump at the same event. Later, at the outdoor championship, he finished third and second in these events.

In 2009, Chris focused more on the triple jump. He started the indoor season with a personal best of 15.89 m (52 ft 1.46555119 in) meters. He then placed third at the Conference USA Indoors. Outdoors, he jumped 16.34 m (53 ft 7.18208662 in) meters to take second place at the Texas Relays. He also won his first Conference USA outdoor title that year. He even made it to the final of the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship, finishing tenth.

Chris continued to excel in 2010, winning the Conference USA triple jump title both indoors and outdoors. He also improved his long jump, clearing 7.45 m (24 ft 5.18208662 in) meters. His final year of college competition was his best. He won four Conference USA titles, sweeping both horizontal jumps indoors and outdoors. He set a personal record of 16.70 m (54 ft 9.35531496 in) meters in the triple jump at the NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship. This earned him fourth place in a very strong competition.

Becoming a Professional Athlete

In 2011, Chris Carter achieved a new personal record of 16.86 m (55 ft 3.65452756 in) meters at the 2011 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. This great performance helped him get selected for his first international competition. He competed at the 2011 Pan American Games and finished in sixth place.

In 2014, Chris won his first national title in the triple jump at the USA Indoor Championships. He set a new personal record of 17.15 m (56 ft 3.07185040 in) meters at this event. Later that year, he competed at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships. He finished sixth in the final, which was a great achievement.

Today, Chris Carter works as a Cross Country and Track and Field Coach. He coaches at Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas.

Chris Carter's Best Jumps

• Triple jump outdoors – 16.86 m (55 ft 3.65452756 in) meters (2011)
• Triple jump indoors – 17.15 m (56 ft 3.07185040 in) meters (2014)
• Long jump outdoors – 7.67 m (25 ft 1.84350394 in) meters (2013)
• Long jump indoors – 7.50 m (24 ft 7.15059056 in) meters (2011)
• 400-meter hurdles – 53.90 seconds (2007)

Competition Highlights

National titles

• USA Indoor Track and Field Championships: 2014