Former NCAA track star Cameron Burrell, godson of Carl Lewis, has died aged 26

Former NCAA Track and Field Champion Cameron Burrell, son of Olympic gold medalists Leroy Burrell and Michelle Finn-Burrell, who died Monday at the age of 26.

Yahoo Sports reports that while attending the University of Houston from 2013 to 2018, Burrell was the 2018 NCAA 100-meter champion. In addition, he anchored the Cougars 4×100 relay team that won an NCAA championship that same year. Before dominating athletics at the college level, he helped the US 4×100 relay team win gold at the World Junior Championships in 2012. Then, at the 2018 World Athletics Cup, he won the gold for the American team running in the 4×100 relay. At the 2019 world relays, he won silver in the same event.

The cause of death has not been announced, but the university says it will share more information once it becomes available.

“My family is extremely saddened by the loss of our son, Cameron, last night,” Leroy, head coach of the Houston track and field program, wrote in a statement Tuesday. “We go through a deep sadness and ask all of our friends, extended family at the University of Houston and the athletics community in the United States and abroad to allow us to reunite with our family and our closest friends. ”

Aside from her parents’ success in athletics, People reports that her aunt, long jumper Dawn Burrell, is also an Olympian; just like his godfather, legendary sprinter Carl Lewis.

“We are devastated by the unexpected death of former student Cameron Burrell,” the University of Houston wrote in a statement. “We offer our deepest condolences and support to the Burrell family and everyone who knew him, including Cameron’s many friends, coaches and teammates.”

We at The root send our deepest condolences to Cameron’s friends and family during this time.