Edrick Floréal facts for kids
| Current position | ||||||||||||||
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| Title | Head coach | |||||||||||||
| Team | Texas Men’s and Texas Women's | |||||||||||||
| Conference | Big 12 | |||||||||||||
| Biographical details | ||||||||||||||
| Born | October 5, 1966 Gonaïves, Haiti |
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| Alma mater | Arkansas | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Edrick Bertholan Floréal, born on October 5, 1966, is a well-known track and field coach. He coaches both the men's and women's track and field teams at the University of Texas. Before becoming a coach, he was a talented athlete from Canada. He competed in the long jump and triple jump events.
Edrick Floréal's Career
His Athletics Journey
Edrick Floréal was a top athlete in the triple jump. He placed fourth in the triple jump at the 1987 Pan American Games. He also represented Canada in two Summer Olympics. In 1988, he competed in the triple jump. In 1992, he took part in the long jump.
Floréal holds the Canadian record in the triple jump, with a mark of 17.29 meters. He also used to hold the Canadian record in the long jump, with a mark of 8.20 meters.
He competed for the University of Arkansas in college. This school was famous for its jumpers. Floréal won several national championships while there. He won the triple jump at the NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships in both 1989 and 1990. He also won the triple jump at the Outdoor Championships in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
Becoming a Coach
After his successful career as an athlete, Floréal became a coach. From 1998 to 2012, he was the director of track and field at Stanford University. In 2010, he was named the "West Regional Coach of the Year" for the indoor season. This award came from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
On July 9, 2012, Floréal became the head coach for both the men's and women's cross country and track teams at the University of Kentucky.
In June 2018, he was named the Head Track and Field Coach at the University of Texas. Under his coaching, the Texas men's team won the NCAA Division I Indoor Championship in 2022. The Texas women's team won the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championship in 2023.
Personal Life
Edrick Floréal is married to LaVonna Martin-Floreal. LaVonna was also an Olympic athlete. She won a silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1992 Olympics.
They have two children. One of their children, E.J., played basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team for three seasons. In August 2016, E.J. decided to leave basketball to join the University of Kentucky track program full-time.
