After blazing onto track & field's world stage in the last year, Andre De Grasse, USC senior and school record holder in both the 100m and 200m, has decided to turn pro and conclude his collegiate career. Announced on Monday after signing with Puma, the 2015 NCAA Champion in the 100m and 200m will focus his full attention on the upcoming Olympic Games with plans to complete his undergraduate education as well.
Click here for more on De Grasse's decision to turn pro.
"Andre has risen to the top of the sport very quickly and I'm both happy and proud that USC could be a part of his journey," USC Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith-Gilbert said. "What Andre accomplished in his short time here at USC was nothing short of amazing, and we look to support him in any way possible as he embarks on his professional career."
To read more on De Grasse's path to Track & Field stardom, click here.
Considering his first-ever track meet took place in 2012, De Grasse's ascent in one season at USC was nothing short of spectacular. In June, he became the first person since 2007 to sweep both the 100m and 200m at the NCAA Championships, and his winning 100m time of 9.75 (+2.7w) was the fastest any-conditions time ever recorded by a Canadian athlete. His 200m time of 19.58 (+2.4w) broke records too, as the fastest mark ever at historic Hayward Field and the fastest ever among collegians. His times in both events were among the top ten fastest performances in world history under any condition.
The outstanding athlete was named the 2015 Pac-12 Men's Track Athlete of the Year and the 2015 USTFCCCA Men's Track Athlete of the Year, swept the 100m and 200m at the 2015 Pan-Am Games and tied for bronze at the 2015 IAAF Track & Field World Championships.
