Aug. 15, 2011

TUCSON - Jill Camarena-Williams, a 2008 Olympian and member of Team USA for the 2011 World Championships, will join the University of Arizona Wildcat men's and women's track and field coaching staff as a volunteer assistant working with the throwers.

"Jill Camarena-Williams is an outstanding addition to our staff," head coach Fred Harvey said. "She is a world-class competitor and a proven champion. Jill brings experience and knowledge and under the tutelage of Craig Carter, she really has put herself at the forefront of throwing the shot put at an international level."

Camarena-Williams, who trains under UA assistant coach Craig Carter, is the No. 1 female shot putter in the U.S. She has won seven indoor and three outdoor national championships. In 2011, she set the American indoor record with a toss of 65-2.25. She went on to also set the American outdoor record with her throw of 66-2.5. She is currently ranked No. 3 in the world.

Camarena-Williams has competed on Team USA at the 2006 World Cup, the 2007 World Championships, the 2008 Olympic Games, the 2009 World Championships, the 2010 World Indoor Championships, the 2010 Continental Cup and will compete at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Korea.

"I'm really excited to join the Arizona staff," Camarena-Williams said. "The Wildcats have such a great program and every event group is competing at the highest level. I'm grateful for the opportunity to train with and help the student-athletes anyway I can."