PORTLAND, Ore. — A sure sign of a new era for the Portland State track & field program, the Vikings have their first full-time assistant coach outside of distance events since 2017. Christian Carter stepped into that role Thursday as he joined the Vikings as an assistant coach in charge of sprints, hurdles and horizontal jumps.
 
Carter joins the Vikings after serving three years as an assistant coach in charge of sprints and relays at the University of La Verne. Carter helped lead athletes to seven Southern California Intercollegiate Athletics Conference individual titles, six NCAA Division III qualifications and five school records.
 
His appointment represents a first step in new Portland State head coach Joseph Blue's promise to rebuild a balanced cross country and track & field program on the Park Blocks.
 
"We're thrilled to welcome Christian Carter to our staff. He brings great energy, knowledge, and a strong background in sprints, hurdles, and horizontal jumps," Blue said of Carter. "I believe he's going to make an immediate impact on our athletes' development and help raise the standard of our program. His passion for the sport and ability to connect with student-athletes will be a huge asset to Portland State."
 
Among Carter's most successful athletes at La Verne, Tyler Thomas won three conference titles (100m, 200m, 4x400m), broke three school records (60m, 100m, 200m) and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships in the 200 meters. He was also named SCIAC Athlete of the Year in 2024.
 
Zachary Reid posted similar accomplishments under Carter with three conference titles, four NCAA qualifications, and two school records in the 60 and 110-meter hurdles.
 
Additionally, Carter coached Dawson Bell to a conference title in the women's 100 meters in 2024.
 
Outside of the conference champions, Carter coached Joshua Collier to an NCAA qualification in the 400 hurdles in 2023. Collier currently ranks seven all-time in the 110-meter hurdles and third in the 400 hurdles at La Verne.
 
All told, Carter coached athletes to 25 All-SCIAC honors and 33 Academic All-SCIAC athletes.
 
"I'm truly blessed and honored to join the track and field coaching staff at Portland State University," Carter said. "I want to thank Coach Joseph Blue for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. The Blue era is going to be something special.
 
"My goals are straightforward: to help our student-athletes become the absolute best version of themselves. Portland State has a rich athletic tradition and a talented group of student-athletes, and I'm eager to contribute to their development both on and off the track. I bring passion, energy, and a standard of excellence every single day. I want to elevate this program and take it to new heights."