Now that the 2015-2016 athletic calendar is officially over for the University of Houston, it’s time to look back at the highs and lows for each of the program’s sports teams.
Following Men's Track and Field's top 10 finish, @UHCougars end 2015-16 with 4 programs in top 20. FB #8, Men's Indoor #16, Men's Golf #19.
— Hunter Yurachek (@HunterYurachek) June 11, 2016
It was a banner year for the Houston athletic department, with AAC Championships in football, women’s golf, and men’s track and field.
Cross Country
The Men’s Cross Country team finished 3rd in the AAC championship and 10th in the South Central Regional. Junior Brian Barraza qualified for the NCAA Championship after winning gold in the regional. He ended the season in 60th place.
The women finished 9th in the AAC Championship and 12th at the South Central Regional.
Volleyball
The Cougars volleyball team finished the season with a 19-13 record, a five game improvement after 2014’s 14-18 record. Senior Olivia O’Dell broke a school record with 701 digs in a single season.
Football
What started off as cautiously optimistic excitement turned into something special in November. Facing three ranked teams, the Cougars defeated all three, securing an AAC Championship and access to a New Year’s Six Bowl as the best team from the Group of 5. The Cougars then proceeded, as a 7.5-point underdog, to whip Florida State in the Peach Bowl.
After the season, UH’s William Jackson III was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft and two other players were also selected. To top it all off, Houston had one of its best recruiting seasons ever, highlighted with the signing of 5-star defensive end Ed Oliver. The Coogs have continued to receive accolades heading into the 2016-17 season.
Women’s Soccer
The women’s soccer team started off 0-3 before winning four of its next five. The Cougars ended the season with nine straight losses for a 4-13 final record, a three-win improvement over 2014.
Basketball
After amassing a 22-8 record and a 2-seed in the AAC tournament, the men’s basketball team was upset by No. 10 seed Tulane. Houston received a bid to the Men’s NIT, where it lost in the first round to Georgia Tech. It was a slightly disappointing end to a great season.
It was a long year for the women’s basketball team. It finished the season with only a 6-24 record, but did beat Rice.
Golf
After finishing 3rd overall in the American Championship and tying for 3rd in the Franklin West Regional, the men’s golf team qualified for the NCAA championship, where they finished an impressive 19th.
The women’s team captured an American Conference Championship but fell just short of an NCAA Tournament bid, finishing 7th in the Baton Rouge Regional.
Women’s Swimming and Diving
The swimming and diving team broke five program records under first-year coach Ryan Wochomurka who was also named AAC Coach of the Year. Hosting the American Swimming and Diving Championship, the Cougars finished in 3rd place before finishing the season at the Zone D Championships, where Sophomore Micaela Bouter finished 11th, just missing the cut for the NCAA Championships.
Women’s Tennis
The women’s tennis team finished the season with a 6-19 overall record. After upsetting UCF in the first round of the American Championships, the Cougars lost 4-2 to no. 1 seed Tulsa.
Baseball
With a regional postseason berth and an American conference championship on the line, the Cougars baseball team fell oh-so-short in the finals to UConn 7-2. It was a slightly disappointing end to an impressive run. Houston entered the tournament as a 5-seed after compiling a regular season record of 33-22 that included wins against Baylor, Alabama, Texas, Rice, East Carolina, Tulane, and Louisiana.
Softball
After a disappointing 26-30 record and a semifinal drubbing from USF in the AAC Softball tournament, Houston parted ways with head coach Natalie Poole, who resigned. Long-time assistant Kristen Vesely has been promoted to head coach following a national search.
Track and Field
Houston finished the season with an overall ranking of no. 9 and an AAC Championship, sending 19 runners to the NCAA West Regional. Ultimately, the 4×100 relay team finished second with a school record and the Coogs placed 10th overall in the NCAA Championship.
The women’s team finished 8th in the AAC Championship and did not qualify for regionals.
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