Written by Sarah Bergstrom, USC blog contributor
Day three of the NCAA Track and Field Championships proved to be another outstanding outing for the Trojans who earned two national titles and two more top eight finishes. Seniors Reggie Wyatt and Bryshon Nellum cruised to victory in the 400m hurdles and 400m, respectively, each securing the best finishes of their collegiate careers. Leaving it all on the track, Nellum and Wyatt earned twenty points for USC, which finished the day tied for first place in the meet.
Wyatt started and finished his 400m hurdles race strong, securing almost a 10-yard lead at the 200m mark and holding it until the end. His winning time of 48.58 is a lifetime best and Wyatt's biggest collegiate accomplishment after finishing third at the NCAA Championships last season.
"The sacrifice was worth it. This whole year I put in a lot of hard work and a lot of sleepless nights just thinking about this one race. Today I left it all on the track. I knew this was it and I wanted to have no regrets in this race," said Wyatt.
Nellum added another accomplishment to his already impressive Trojan career by winning the 400m in 44.73, a personal record for the senior. After failing to qualify for the 400m finals last season, Nellum said today's victory was something he'd waited a long time to achieve.
"It's a beautiful feeling. This was one of my goals and the reason I came back for my sixth year, to win a national championship. I was hungry, I wanted it. It felt great to win and do what I came back for," said Nellum moments after hoisting his first ever NCAA title trophy.
Aaron Brown finished fifth overall in the 100m in the wind-aided time of 10.01, earning four points for the men's squad. Brown's time is impressive amongst an array of fast times including the winning mark of 9.89. Alitta Boyd wrapped up her USC career finishing eighth overall in the triple jump with a mark of 13.32m (43-8.5). The result was a successful finish for Boyd who fouled on all three attempts at last year's NCAA Championships in the triple jump. Melia Cox ended her season finishing 11th in the triple jump with a mark of 13.22m (43-4.5), and moved into fourth on USC's all-time triple jump list.
With major contributions from all Trojan athletes on Friday, the USC men are currently tied with Texas for first place with 32 points. Arkansas is in third with 30.5 followed by Florida State with 21.5 and Texas A&M with 21. The Razorbacks still have six athletes left to compete in Saturday's finals along with the Aggies who have five. The Trojan team is down to Nellum and Brown who will finish their seasons in the 200m final and could give USC a shot to contend for a national championship. Head coach Ron Allice struggled to find words to accurately describe the performance of his athletes on Friday, explaining that teams like this years' come along very rarely in every coaching career.
"It's a really special day for us all across the board. I don't think anyone else lit it up like us today. We've been on fire. I don't think anyone understands how special this is, to perform like this with five athletes. I'm walking about three feet off the ground right now," said Allice.
The final day of competition at Hayward Field begins at 2:05 with the Trojan women racing in the 4x100m final. With a potential national championship on the line, all eyes will then be turned to the 200m final which is set for 2:50. For updated results on the final day of the NCAA Championships follow @USC_Track_Field and watch live on ESPNU starting at 2 p.m.
(Photo courtesy of Kirby Lee)
