Craig Carter Hometown: Logan, Utah Last College: Utah State University Position: Throws Experience: 5th Year

Craig Carter is entering his fifth season as coach of the Wildcat throwers. He came to Wildcat Country from Logan, Utah, where he was a two-time All-American in the throws while at Utah State University. Carter started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at USU before leaving to teach and coach at the high school level. He returned to Utah State two years later to be the head throwing coach.

During that time, he coached several indoor and outdoor national qualifiers, 25 Big West Champions, 53 All-Big West performers and was part of five men's conference championships and seven women's conference championships.

Under his direction at Utah State, Olympian James Parker was an eight-time All-American in the hammer/weight throw, and a one-time All-American in the Discus throw.

Carter is currently coaching the number one female shot-putter in the USA, Jill Camarena Williams. Since working with Carter, she has won six indoor, and three outdoor national championships, and has represented the USA team at the 2006 World Cup, the 2007 World Championships, the 2008 Olympic Games held in China, 2009 World Championships, 2010 Indoor World team and 2010 Continental Cup.

Since arriving at The University of Arizona, Carter has been responsible for coaching 14 All-Americans. One of those being Zack Lloyd, who has set an impressive school record in the shot-put, throwing 21.03 meters (69') and at the time, was ranked in the top ten in the world. He also coached the school record holder in the discus, Adam Kuehl, who threw an impressive mark of 64.95 (213'4").

Carter is excited to return to a young, but strong women's throws team lead by freshman All-American and Canadian Champion, Julie Labonte who threw an impressive 16.86 in the shot. Another freshman, NCAA qualifier and 2010 USA Junior World Team participant Alyssa Hasslen, has also proven to be strong in both the shot and discus. Adding to these impressive throwers is Taylor Freeman who was one of the top discus throwers in 2009 but red-shirted in 2010. One more to add to this crew is incoming freshman Baillie Gibson who was ranked among the top female throwers in high school. Carter is excited and looking forward to continuing a great throwing tradition here at The University of Arizona.

An accomplished competitor in his own right, Carter was a two-time NCAA All-American in the 35lb weight and hammer throw while at Utah State. He was also voted Big West Athlete of the Year, and was an 11-time All-Big West performer. Carter was a recipient of the Utah State University Outstanding Athlete Robins Award. Carter was given the coveted Wayne Estes Award, the most prestigious award ever given by Utah State University, to a student/athlete exemplifying all-around excellence.

Upon graduation, Carter continued competing and qualified to compete in the USA and Olympic Track and Field Trials for six consecutive years (1992-1997). His highest finish was seventh at the 1996 Olympic Trials in the hammer before retiring and focusing on coaching.

Coach Carter has been married to Jo-Anne Bouwhuis for 25 years. They have four children, Cameron 24, twins, Mark and Makenzie, 21, and Ragan, 16. Carter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education/Coaching from Utah State University.