University Southern California Trojans
USC
Rod McCravy Invitational (Indoor)
Trojans Enjoy First Day At McCravy Memorial
January 23, 2015 | Track & Field
Andre De Grasse won the men's 200m dash, Ky Westbrook was second in the women's 200m race and Randall Cunningham took second in the men's high jump to highlight USC's first-day efforts at the Rod McCravy Memorial indoor track meet in Lexington, Ky. today (Jan. 23). On the first of two days of competition, the Trojans had seven athletes finish in the top five of an event.
De Grasse, a junior, won the men's 200m dash with a PR of 20.90, winning the first heat. Senior Davonte Stewart won the sixth heat and was fifth overall with a time of 21.50. Freshman Ricky Morgan finished third in De Grasse's heat with a time of 21.62 which was good for sixth overall.
Freshman Ky Westbrook ran her USC indoor best of 23.62 to win the third heat and finish second overall in the women's 200m dash. The Trojans wound up winning four heats and having six runners finish in the top 13 out of 48 runners. Redshirt junior Tynia Gaither won the second heat and was third overall with a time of 23.66. Freshman Deanna Hill posted her USC indoor best of 24.05 to win the eighth heat and finish ninth overall. Junior Jaide Stepter ran her first indoor 200m race since 2013 and set a PR of 24.16 to win the ninth heat and finish 11th overall. Right behind Stepter in 12th place was freshman Gabriella Cantrell with a time of 24.19 and sophomore Destinee Brown in 13th place with a time of 24.29.
In the men's high jump, freshman Randall Cunningham placed second with a clearance of 7-0.25 (2.14m). Jonathan Wells of Illinois won the event on misses, as both he and Cunningham missed all three attempts at 7-1.50 (2.17m). Senior Michael Krone finished fourth with a top clearance of 6-10.25 (2.09m).
Freshman football star Adoree' Jackson got his indoor track season off to a good start by taking fourth in the men's long jump with a best leap of 24-7.75 (7.51m). Just an inch and a quarter separated the top four finishers and Jackson was the only jumper to post four jumps of at least 24 feet. Jackson advanced out of the preliminary rounds with a best jump of 24-5 which was good for second. Freshman Dominic Smallwood finished 16th with a best leap of 22-5.25 (6.84m).
In the women's long jump, junior Alexis Faulknor had a season-best jump of 19-4.75 (5.91m) to finish 10th, one spot away from advancing to the finals. Freshman Madisen Richards had a best jump of 18-4.50 (5.60m) to finish in 20th place. Both of USC's jumpers had their best mark in their final attempt.
The Trojans have a big day scheduled with many Trojans in action, including the expected debut of freshman Dior Hall, the high school record holder in the 100m HH.
