Written by Sarah Bergstrom, USC blog contributor
The USC track & field program is building a case this season to prove it's one of the best in the country. The team continued to polish its resume this weekend at the Mt. SAC Relays, setting national records, besting professional racers and winning six events on the final day of the meet.
On Friday, redshirt freshman thrower Nick Ponzio won the men's shot put on his last attempt with a personal record of 63-2.25. The mark moved him into eighth on USC's all-time list, and set the tone for the Trojans' record-setting weekend.
Later, Destinee Brown and Deanna Hill took second and third in the women's 100m dash in 11.43 and 11.44, respectively, freshman Ky Westbrook finished third overall in the 200m with a time of 23.2 and Davonte Stewart placed third in the men's 200m in a time of 20.85. Also of note, Adoree' Jackson placed seventh in the men's long jump with a season-best jump of 25-00.00/7.62.
For a complete recap of the Trojans in action on Friday, click here.
For a complete recap of Saturday's impressive showing, click here.
The Trojans' 4x100m relay team of BeeJay Lee, Andre De Grasse (pictured), Just'N Thymes and Bryan Mercado, which finished as the fastest college team at the Florida Relays earlier this month, started Saturday off with a bang, winning the event in 39.98. USC became the first collegiate relay team to win the Mt. SAC Relays 4x100m race since 2002. Shortly after, the women's 4x100m relay team finished second overall with a season-best time of 43.38, moving the quartet to fifth on USC's all-time list.
As the day continued, De Grasse won both the 100m (9.87) and 200m dashes, tying the Canadian record in the 200m in 20.16 which was also good for third on USC's all-time list. Lee, the only other collegian in the event, took second in the 100m with a time of 9.96.
Representing the Women of Troy, Dior Hall set a USC freshman record, winning the 100m HH in a time of 12.89, moving her to third on the school's all-time list. Junior Jaide Stepter won the 400m IH in 56.74, sophomore Amalie Iuel finished fifth in 57.74 and freshman Kendall Ellis placed third overall in the women's 400m with a time of 52.96.
Rounding out the weekend, redshirt senior Conor McCullough won the men's hammer throw with a mark of 241-9 - the second furthest throw by an American male this year - moving him up to third on USC's all-time list.
Next up, the Trojans will compete in the Triton Invitation in La Jolla on April 24-25.
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