FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The USC track and field team is gearing up for a thrilling showdown at the NCAA Indoor Championships, kicking off on Friday. With nine individual athletes and both relay teams in the mix, the Trojans are poised for a fierce competition, with preliminary rounds on Friday and finals wrapping up the action on Saturday.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
The Trojans have been on a roll, capturing six event titles at the Big Ten Indoor Championships. They set two program records, achieved twelve top-three finishes, and broke three Big Ten meet records.
The Women of Troy secured third place with 81 points, while the men finished sixth with 44 points. Garrett Kaalund was a standout, blazing through the 200m with a new program record of 20.06, marking the second-fastest time in NCAA history and third in the world all-time.
Madison Whyte also turned heads with a record-breaking 400m run, clocking in at 51.31.
MEN'S NCAA QUALIFIERS
On the men's side, three Trojans will take the stage. Garrett Kaalund is chasing the men's indoor 200m collegiate record.
Edward Nketia, who has set three personal records in the 60m this season, is ready to compete in a field of 16. Freshman Jack Stadlman, holding a new USC freshman record in the men's 400m, qualified at the No. 16 spot.
The men's 4x400 relay team features Jacob Andrews, Garrett Kaalund, Wiaan Martin, and Jack Stadlman, with Jaelen Knox and Nickolas Miller as alternates.
WOMEN'S NCAA QUALIFIERS
Mia Brahe-Pedersen is set for her first NCAA championships, aiming to set another personal best in the 200m. Dajaz DeFrand, the reigning 60m national champion, is back in pursuit of another title, competing in the 60m, 200m, and 4x400.
Ashley Erasmus will take on the shot put, following her school record performance at the Big Ten Championships. Christine Mallard, a Big Ten champion, will race in the 200m, while Brianna Selby makes her indoor nationals debut in the 60m.
Madison Whyte leads the NCAA in the women's 400m, eyeing the national title. The women's 4x400 relay team, consisting of Christine Mallard, Madison Mosby, Dajaz DeFrand, and Madison Whyte, is ready to compete, with Joelle Trepagnier and Rachael Uvieghara as alternates.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
The Trojans are closing out a stellar season with 35 event wins, five school records, and two freshman records, aiming to add more accolades on Saturday. The women's team reached their highest USTFCCCA ranking at No. 4, while the men's team hit No.
- The women maintained a top-10 ranking for five straight weeks, currently sitting at No.
The season kicked off at the Spokane Showcase, where Garrett Kaalund tied the second-fastest 300m time in NCAA history, and Madison Whyte secured a top-8 NCAA time. The Trojans dominated the 60m, achieving eight wins overall.
At the Stan Scott Invite, the men swept the 60m, and the 4x400 relay team clocked the second-fastest time in school history at 3:02.55. The New Mexico Collegiate Classic saw the Trojans claim ten victories, with Kaalund setting the world lead in the 200m and Mia Brahe-Pedersen achieving a personal best in the 200m.
The regular season wrapped up with two freshman records at the Don Kirby Elite Invite, highlighted by Jack Stadlman's 400m time of 45.51 and Cordial Vann's tie in the men's 60m at 6.60.
As the Trojans head into the NCAA Indoor Championships, fans can expect a weekend of intense competition and potential record-breaking performances.