USC Track & Field Dominates at Stan Scott Invite with Eight Event Wins
LUBBOCK, Texas - The USC Trojans came into the Stan Scott Invite with momentum, and they left with a statement. Eight event victories, a sweep in the men’s 60m, and the fastest men’s 4x400 relay time in the country this season? That’s how you turn heads in January.
Let’s start on the track, where USC’s sprinters made it clear they’re not easing into the indoor season-they’re attacking it. The men’s 60m final was all cardinal and gold, with Edward Nketia exploding out of the blocks and never looking back.
He clocked a blistering 6.58 seconds, a personal best, and was followed closely by teammates Garret Kaalund (6.61) and Cordial Vann (6.62) to complete the sweep. That trio didn’t just win-they owned the podium.
The Trojans closed the meet with a bang in the men’s 4x400 relay. Will Jones, Jack Stadlman, Garret Kaalund, and Jaelen Knox combined for a 3:02.55 finish-good for the fastest time in the NCAA this season. It was a performance that didn’t just cap off a successful day, it put the rest of the indoor field on notice.
On the women’s side, Asjah Atkinson continues to be a force in the hurdles. She raced to a personal best of 8.18 seconds in the 60m hurdles, taking the top spot with confidence and precision.
In the women’s 60m dash, Brianna Selby led a strong Trojan contingent with a winning time of 7.21 seconds. Rachael Uvieghara (7.33) and Olivia Pace (7.38) weren’t far behind, finishing in the top five and showing USC’s depth in the sprints.
In the 800m, the Trojans went two-for-two. Chase McCallum delivered a strong wire-to-wire performance in the men’s race, finishing in 1:49.92 for a new personal best. On the women’s side, Oluwatosin Awoleye crossed the line first in 2:08.83, adding another win to USC’s tally and continuing her steady rise this season.
The women’s 200m saw more Trojan firepower, with Mia Brahe-Pedersen taking second in 23.39 seconds and Christine Mallard right behind her in third at 23.47. Both posted strong finishes in a competitive field, reinforcing USC’s status as a sprinting powerhouse.
In the women’s 400m, Joelle Trepagnier and Takiya Cenci finished fourth and fifth respectively, with times of 55.02 and 55.28. Both athletes showed solid early-season form, setting the stage for stronger results as the season progresses. The duo also teamed up with Avery Lewis and Makenna Barnett in the women’s 4x400 relay, where they placed third with a time of 3:44.82.
USC also made noise in the field events. Ashley Erasmus led the charge in the women’s shot put, winning with a throw of 16.67 meters.
On the men’s side, Kaden Garland claimed the title with a 16.74-meter toss. Both marks were enough to secure gold and add to the Trojans’ growing list of event wins.
Jackson Norris chipped in with a solid fifth-place finish in the men’s long jump, reaching 7.31 meters-a mark that keeps him in the mix heading into the heart of the indoor season.
In total, USC walked away from the Stan Scott Invite with eight event wins, a national-leading relay time, and a roster full of athletes already hitting their stride. With performances like these, it’s clear: the Trojans aren’t just competing this indoor season-they’re setting the pace.