Steve Rainbolt hugged Houston coach Leroy Burrell and assistant Carl Lewis, as the Olympic champions congratulated him. For three seasons, Houston's elite sprinters and hurdlers held off Rainbolt's balanced Wichita State track and field team.
On Sunday, Wichita State's depth caught Houston's speed.
"It's unbelievable," Rainbolt told the Houston coaches. "It means the world to me to compete against your team."
Wichita State needed to go to the final two events at Cessna Stadium to score 185.50 points and end Houston's streak of five American Athletic Conference Outdoor championships. The Cougars finished with 179 points.