UNLV runners put high hopes on Brit

When Tony Houchin took over UNLV's long-foundering cross country program last year, he immediately began searching for positives.

Something. Anything.

It didn't take him long to find one.

Fortunately for Houchin, European standout Charlotte Browning had been flirting with the idea of attending UNLV for some time, and Houchin was able to close the deal. Browning quickly became a cornerstone to begin building a successful program.

"I came from (an assistant coaching position at) Butler, and we had a heavy international influence," Houchin said. "Charlotte knew I had experience with international students."

Browning, a native of Addlestone, England, had demonstrated mild inconsistencies late in her high school running career, but UNLV and Florida State were both interested.

"I knew UNLV was a fairly underestimated team," said Browning, who at age 15 finished sixth in the 1,500 meters at the World Youth Championships. "I saw opportunity under a new coach, so I sat down with my parents and looked at the different aspects of everything. I really thought UNLV had potential."

Browning elected to become a Rebel in the spring and immediately pointed the young team in the right direction by winning the 1,500 at the Mountain West Conference Outdoor Championships in May.

Though Browning knew she was not the favorite, she never doubted that the individual title was within her reach.

"I hoped to win it," she said. "I knew it would be difficult, but it was definitely a goal. I was really pleased with that race."

Browning's winning time of 4 minutes, 24.16 seconds earned her a spot on the All-Mountain West team. She went on to finish seventh in the 1,500 at the NCAA West Regional in May and later was awarded All-West Region honors.

Houchin, who also coaches the distance runners during UNLV's women's track season, said that success has carried over into cross country.

"Running distance is just running distance," said Houchin, noting that Browning is still competing as a freshman because of her late arrival last season. "You can be good on the track but also in disciplines other than your specialty."

Indeed, Browning has led UNLV in every race this fall. She appears to be improving weekly, and turned in her best time of the season Saturday. She set a school record in the 5,000 meters (17:42) while finishing ninth at the UC Riverside Invitational in California.

Such accomplishments have Browning thinking big.

"I would love to win a national championship in the 1,500," she said. "That's obviously a long-term goal, but it's definitely my big goal."

Houchin is dreaming big, too.

"Having Charlotte helps a ton with recruiting," he said. "Good athletes want to train with good athletes."

The Rebels' next race is Oct. 13 in the NCAA Pre-National Meet at Terre Haute, Ind.