The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2016
Sport: Track and Field
Inducted: 2016
A three-time Olympian who recently won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Michelle Carter is one of the most successful track and field stars in UT history. Carter has shined in the shot put ring as a Longhorn during her career on The Forty Acres and as a professional. During her time on campus, Carter was a seven-time All-American in the shot put and won the Big 12 Conference title five times. In 2006, she won the NCAA title indoors to also help the women claim the NCAA team title. With a runner-up finish in the shot put in 2005 outdoors, Carter helped the Longhorns win the NCAA Championship. She also was runner-up at the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championship in the shot put. Since her collegiate career ended, Carter has become the most successful female shot putter in American history. She has claimed 10 USATF titles in her event, six outdoors and four indoors, while also setting American indoor and outdoor records in the shot put. At the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships, Carter broke the American record en route to her first major international title as she claimed the gold medal for Team USA. Carter won her first senior international medal at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, where she won bronze in the shot put. Earlier this month, Carter competed in her third Olympic Games for Team USA. After finishing fifth at the 2012 London Games and 15th at the 2008 Beijing Games, Carter recorded a toss of 20.63 meters (67-8.25) on her final throw of the competition in Rio to win the gold medal and set an American record. The victory marked the first time an American woman had won gold in the shot put at the Olympics and the first time an American female has won any medal at the Olympics since 1960.
