University Southern California Trojans
Troy Begins Second Century Of Track And Field
February 14, 2000 | Track & Field
Feb. 14, 2000
It was 100 years ago that a rag-tag team of tracksters with neither coach nor captain first took flight down the cinderpaths of University Park.
From these humble beginnings in 1900, the greatest tradition in collegiate track and field history was born -- that of the University of Southern California.
Nowhere else in the country is the measure of success higher than at Troy. Consider USC's past successes in track and field: 28 NCAA men's team championships (including two indoor titles), 105 men's and women's NCAA Individual titles, 61 world records, 87 Olympic team members, 40 Olympic gold medals and 17 inductees in the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Now in its centennial season, Trojan track and field is still attracting the top-flight athletes needed to excel at the collegiate level.
Under the guidance of sixth year Director of Track and Field Ron Allice, the USC men's program has finished in the top 10 at the NCAA meet for five consecutive years -- a feat last accomplished in the 1970s under the legendary Vern Wolfe. Meanwhile, the USC women's program has finished in the top 10 at the NCAAs three of the last four years -- a level of success not seen since the late 1980s. Furthermore, USC was the only school in 1999 to have both its men's and women's program place in the top five at the NCAA Championships (the men finished fifth, while the women finished third).
But the goals, no matter what century it is, remain the same: win the dual meets, win the conference, win the national championship.
Last year, the Trojan men won nine of 12 dual meets, captured their second Pac-10 title in three years and finished fifth at the NCAAs.
The 2000 edition of USC men's track and field, which begins play this Saturday in Long Beach, must overcome the graduation of several key veterans, particularly All-Americans Jerome Davis (the only athlete in history to win four Pac-10 400m titles), Charles Lee (a two-time NCAA 200m finalist) and William Erese (a three-time NCAA finalist in the hurdles). Allice believes this squad is up to the task.
"I like the current chemistry of this team right now," Allice said. "But it's easy to have chemistry when you're not being tested with adversities and setbacks. I don't know how this group will respond to that when the time comes. Only time will tell.
"We have lost to graduation some leadership by performance. We're going to need for some people to step out of the group to provide leadership."
A prime candidate for that leadership role is senior Felix Sanchez, the Pac-10 400m intermediate hurdles champion. This past summer, Sanchez ran a career-best 48.60 in the 400m IH -- just a shade shy of the school record of 48.55.
"Felix Sanchez is an outstanding competitor and perhaps one of the top intermediate hurdlers in the country," said Allice. "He is a leader and has the potential some day to be a good coach. If he can stay injury free and rally the people to the task at hand, then we'll be a much better off team."
In 2000, USC will once again be a powerful force in the sprints, jumps and hurdles.
Sultan McCullough, who doubles as a tailback on the Trojan football team, heads the short sprint corps. The blazing sophomore is the defending Pac-10 100m champ and his career-best 10.17 is No. 5 on the all-time Trojan 100m chart (it was also the best 100m time in the world for the under-20 age group in 1999). Senior Vince Williams returns to give the Trojans another threat in the 100 and 200m, while another tailback, sophomore Miguel Fletcher, is a returning All-American in the 400m relay. Look for JC All-American transfer Andre Ammons and prep All-Americans Kareem Kelly and Darrell Rideaux, who starred at wide receiver and cornerback, respectively, on the Trojan football team last fall, to make immediate impacts as well.
"Sultan is one of the most talented sprinters to ever grace this campus," said Allice." He hasn't even begun to show what he can do beyond 100 meters -- he may be even better at the 200. Kelly, Rideaux and Fletcher are very talented and will work mostly in the 100. Williams and Ammons give us good strength in the 200 meters."
In the 400 meters, USC must fill the shoes of three-time All-American Jerome Davis. The Trojans will rely on volume rather than a true superstar to achieve that end. Seniors Leroy Jordan, DeJon Joyner and Ari Monosson, along with sophomore Ray Carter, will be the main weapons in this event.
In the hurdles, USC is young but filled with potential. The 110m high hurdles group consists of junior Djeke Mambo and incoming freshmen Ryan Wilson and Marcell Allmond, both prep All-Americans. Allmond, who doubles as a receiver with the footballers, is also the junior record-holder in the decathlon. The trio forms a solid attack that should score key points in conference. Sanchez will be the main man in the 400m IH, with Wilson and sophomore Andre Kelly the primary backups.
" In the hurdles, we are young but good," said Allice. "The key is how well the two young freshman adjust to the higher college hurdles."
The jumps are solid for the Trojans with the return of the brothers Mambo -- senior Kedjeloba and junior Djeke. At last year's Pac-10s, Kedjeloba (who was an All-American in the triple jump as a freshman) finished second in the triple-jump and seventh in the long jump while Djeke came in fourth in the triple jump and fifth in long jump. Added to the long jump mix is JC transfer Elliot Walker and triple jumper Justin Cox, a transfer from Wisconsin.
"Long jump is a point producing event for us," said Allice. "Both Mambos have jumped in excess of 25 feet and Walker is a 25-footer with sprinter's speed. In the triple jump, both the Mambos could score at the NCAAs, along with Justin Cox, who we think could suprise some people."
The 2000 Trojan throws program is one of the finest in the conference. Junior Norbert Horvath, last year's 1999 Pac-10 champ and NCAA runner-up in the hammer, spearheads a strong hammer corps that also includes two other Pac-10 finalists: junior Szabolcs Maroti and senior Dagan Massey. Sophomore Van Mounts has the potential to be one of the better shotputters in the Pac-10. And in the discus, freshman Lucais McKay, a two-time prep All-American who also is an offensive lineman for the football team, could be a point scorer at the conference and NCAA level.
"The throws could be as strong as they've been since I've been here," said Allice. "The hammer is very deep. We've got five people who can throw over 200 feet. I don't think that's happening anywhere else in the conference."
A returning All-American in the pole vault -- junior Dennis Kholev -- a solid corps of decathletes -- junior Daniel Haag, junior Casey Thompson, sophomore Russell Silvers and freshman Marcell Allmond -- and good young talent in the 400m and 1,600m relays round out a deep Trojan squad that could go a long way in 2000.
"Kholev is a top pole vaulter, while the decathlon is now one of our strengths," said Allice."The relays have the potential to run as fast or faster than last year in the 400m relay, but we must try to replace Jerome Davis in the 1,600m relay."
"We're strong everywhere except for the distances and middle distances. Every other event is stored up with not only an NCAA-level contributor, but also Pac-10 and dual meet scorers. "We're the best dual meet team we've been since I've been here. I'm looking forward to seeing how this squad develops."
On the women's side, Allice is equally optimistic.
"We're good," Allice said. "Maybe as good as last year, though it's hard to tell just how good we'll be right now."
The women's sprints are led by 1999 NCAA 100m champ Angela Williams. Just a sophomore, she is already the USC record-holder in the 100m (11.04) and owned the fastest 100m time in the world for the under-20 age group in 1999. She also ran the opening leg on USC's 400m relay squad that set a new school record (43.35).
"Angela is just a big-time talent," said Allice. "For her, the sky is the limit. Besides the 100m, she'll also help us out in the 200m this year. However, we will not overcompete her since it is an Olympic year and she will need to be prepared for a long competitive season."
Other key sprinters include junior relay All-American Malika Edmonson (100m, 200m, 400m), sophomore relay All-American Kinsasha Davis (200m, 400m), junior Candace Young (100m, 200m), and junior Carla Estes (400m). Edmonson and Davis form half of USC's 1,600m relay team that set a new school record (3:28.08) at the NCAA Championships last June.
"We don't have much depth in the individual sprints," said Allice. "But we should once again be outstanding in the 400m and 1,600m relays."
The 800m is in good hands with junior Pac-10 champ Brigita Langerholc. Last summer, Brigita ran a 1:59.87 at the World University Games to set a new school record in the 800m. Senior Anna Lopaciuch is the defending Pac-10 1,500m champ and will be relied on to help replace the graduated All-American Grazyna Penc. Anna also runs the 800m.
"We are relying on Anna and Brigita to do it all for us in the 800m on up," said Allice.
All-American senior Natasha Danvers returns to key the 100m HH and 400m IH (where she owns the school record - 55.69). She finished fourth in the 400m IH at last year's NCAAs. Senior Miriam Tschomba-Fariala was a Pac-10 finalist in both events last year.
"I feel we have a good chance to get some points from both of them at the NCAAs," said Allice.
In the jumps, the Trojans lose All-American Pam Simpson, but shouldn't miss a beat. Newcomers Stephanie Jones and Tatyana Obukhova of the Ukraine will team with junior Carla Estes and sophomore Disia Page to form an outstanding group of jumpers.
"In the jumps, we are as good or better than last year," said Allice. "We have quality and quantity."
The continued development of junior All-American hammer thrower Jennifer Vail will be a key for the Women of Troy in 2000. Vail, who was a suprise finalist at the NCAAs last year, also throws the shot put. Sophomore Cynthia Ademiluyi's versatility (she competes in the hammer, shot and discus) gives USC yet another potential point scorer at the Pac-10s and NCAAs.
"These two help us immensely in that they do a lot of different things for us," said Allice. "And they are constantly improving.
"For the women, the key is staying healthy, " said Allice. "Then, our depth people must go from being fillers, to killers. If they step up, we'll be in good shape and we'll get to the big show."
USC MEN'S EVENT BREAKDOWN
100 METERS Sultan McCullough (So., 10.17) Vince Williams (Sr., 10.28) *Darrell Rideaux (Fr., 10.36) Miguel Fletcher (So., 10.36) *Kareem Kelly (Fr., 10.37) *Andre Ammons (Jr., 10.41) Djeke Mambo (Jr., 10.60) Jamohl Leitch (Fr., 10.71)
200 METERS Sultan McCullough (So., 20.61) *Kareem Kelly (Fr., 20.76) Vince Williams (Sr., 20.70) *Andre Ammons (Jr., 20.80) Miguel Fletcher (So., 20.94) *Darrell Rideaux (Fr., 21.03) LeRoy Jordan (Sr., 21.32) Rod Arzu (So., 21.70) Jamohl Leitch (So., 22.02)
400 METERS LeRoy Jordan (Sr., 46.46) Ray Carter (Jr., 46.80) DeJon Joyner (Sr., 47.42) Sultan McCullough (So., 47.80) Roderick Arzu (So., 48.33) Ari Monosson (Sr., 49.14)
800 METERS Ali Benmohamed (Jr., 1:53.59) Felix Sanchez (Sr., 1:54.71)
1,500 METERS Ali Benmohamed (Jr.., 3:50.82)
3,000 METERS Ali Benmohamed (Jr., 9:10.00) Tyler Beardsley (Jr., 9:14.03)
3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE Ali Benmohamed (Jr., 10:10.51) Tyler Beardsley (Jr., 10:12.7)
5,000 METERS Omar Cordero (So., 15:04.91) Ali Benmohamed (Jr., 15:22.8)
110-METER HURDLES Djeke Mambo (Jr., 13.93) *Marcell Allmond (Fr., 14.25) Daniel Haag (Jr., 14.55) *Ryan Wilson (Fr.)
400-METER HURDLES Felix Sanchez (Sr., 48.60) DeJon Joyner (Sr., 51.70) Andre Kelly (So., 53.49) *Ryan Wilson (Fr., 36.4 - 300m)
HIGH JUMP *Marcell Allmond (Fr., 6-10) Daniel Haag (Jr., 6-8 1/4) Kori Dickerson (So., 6-8) Casey Thompson (Jr., 6-6 3/4)
LONG JUMP Kedjeloba Mambo (Sr., 25-8 1/4w) *Elliot Walker (Jr., 25-8) Djeke Mambo (Jr., 25-0) *Marcell Allmond (Fr., 23-10 1/2)
TRIPLE JUMP Kedjeloba Mambo (Sr., 54-1 1/4w) Djeke Mambo (Jr., 53-2 1/4) *Justin Cox (Jr., 49-10)
POLE VAULT Dennis Kholev (Jr., 18-0 1/2) *Jeff Ryan (Fr., 15-7)
SHOT PUT Van Mounts (So., 57-7) *Lucais McKay (Fr., 61-0 (12 lbs.)) Mike Rainis (So., 51-10)
DISCUS *Lucais McKay (Fr., 177-0)
HAMMER Norbert Horvath (Jr., 241-11) Szabolcs Maroti (Sr., 220-6) David Spitz (Sr., 204-0) Dagan Massey (Sr., 199-5)
JAVELIN Daniel Haag (Jr., 198-5) William O'Grady (Jr., 186-0) Paul Smith (Fr., 185-0) *Marcell Allmond (Fr., 178-5)
DECATHLON Daniel Haag (Jr., 7,623) *Marcell Allmond (Fr., 7111) Casey Thompson (Jr., 6772) Russell Silvers (So., 6629)
* -- 2000 Newcomer or 1999 Redshirt
USC WOMEN'S EVENT BREAKDOWN
100 METERS Angela Williams (So., 11.04) Malika Edmonson (Jr., 11.56) Candace Young (Jr., 11.56) Kinshasa Davis (So., 11.78) Disia Page (So., 12.34)
200 METERS Kinshasa Davis (So., 22.90) Angela Williams (So., 23.02) Malika Edmonson (Jr., 23.47) Carla Estes (Jr., 24.00) Candace Young (Jr., 24.33)
400 METERS Kinshasa Davis (So., 52.61) Malika Edmonson (Jr., 52.95) Carla Estes (Jr., 53.20) Brigita Langerholc (So., 53.26) Natasha Danvers (Sr., 53.26)
800 METERS Brigita Langerholc (Jr., 1:59.87) Anna Lopaciuch (Sr., 2:04.32) Sheronda Gaines (So., 2:22.88)
1,500 METERS Anna Lopaciuch (Jr., 4:16.49) Katie Kennedy (So., 4:46.14)
3,000 METERS Anna Lopaciuch (Jr., 9:26.40) Allison Erbert (So., 10:44.8)
100-METER HURDLES Natasha Danvers (Sr., 13.20) Myriam Tschomba-Fariala (Sr., 13.35) Lydia Rolle (So., 15.44)
400-METER HURDLES Natasha Danvers (Sr., 55.69) Myriam Tschomba-Fariala (Sr., 60.45) *Analisse Delara (Fr., 64.0) Rebecca Paterson (Jr., 64.89)
HIGH JUMP Natasha Danvers (Sr., 5-11 1/2) *Spring Harris (Fr., 5-6) Lydia Rolle (So., 4-11)
LONG JUMP *Tatyana Obukhova (Fr., 21-3) *Stephanie Jones (Jr., 20-8) Carla Estes (Jr., 19-9 3/4) Disia Page (So., 19-0 3/4w) Chanel Young (So., 16-1 3/4))
TRIPLE JUMP *Tatyana Obukhova (Fr., 44-10 3/4) Chanel Young (So., 35-6w) Laura Hayden (Sr., 35-2 1/2)
SHOT PUT Cynthia Ademiluyi (So., 51-0) Jennifer Vail (Jr., 46-4 1/4) *L'Orangeril Crawford (Fr., 46-10) *Cerenity Young (Fr., 39-9 1/4)
DISCUS Cynthia Ademiluyi (So., 168-3) Jennifer Vail (Jr., 161-6)
HAMMER Jennifer Vail (Jr., 193-2) Cynthia Ademiluyi (So., 182-3) *Cerenity Young (Fr., 133-8) Kelly Shapiro (Fr., 124-5)
HEPTATHALON Lydia Rolle (So., 4021) Disia Page (So., 3876) *Spring Harris (Fr., 3700)
* -- 2000 Newcomer or 1999 Redshirt
