Matt Young, Houston Chronicle (TNS)
Aug. 10—Former University of Houston track star Cameron Burrell, who won the 100 meters national championship in 2018, died Monday at the age of 26.
No cause of death has been released.
Burrell, who was a state champion at Fort Bend’s Ridge Point High School, was the son of UH track coach and former 100 meters world record-holder Leroy Burrell and former Olympic sprinter Michelle Finn-Burrell. He also was the godson of nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.
“My family is extremely saddened with the loss of our son, Cameron, last night,” Leroy Burrell said in a statement released by the university. “We are going through profound sorrow and ask that all of our friends, extended University of Houston family and the track and field community in the U.S. and abroad allow us to gather with our closest family and friends. We are profoundly grief-stricken, and thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers and support. We will forward more information when it is available.”
In 2018, Cameron Burrell won the NCAA outdoor national championship in the 100 meters and ran the anchor leg on the Cougars 4x100 relay team that set the NCAA record.
Burrell turned pro after that and was featured on the cover of Red Bull’s magazine Red Bulletin in May. Burrell posted the cover of the magazine on Instagram with the caption, “If you ain’t seen me lately just know I’ve been working. Now it’s time to show the world my gift.”
Burrell competed in the USA Track & Field Grand Prix in April, making it to the final of the 100 meters, finishing ninth.