USC T&F Holds Annual Out Of The Blocks Banquet

LOS ANGELES – Andre De Grasse, Bryshon Nellum, Leslie Maxie-Dowdell and John and Janine Colich received Heritage Awards and the 2017 team awards were presented at the annual Out of the Blocks Track & Field Banquet at the Town & Gown on the USC campus yesterday (Dec. 3).

De Grasse (USC, 2015) is the USC record-holder in the 100m and 200m dashes and won the Pac-12 and NCAA titles in both events in his one season at USC. When he swept the 100m and 200m races at the 2015 NCAA Championships, he became the first Trojan since Clancy Edwards in 1978 to accomplish the feat. His winded aided times at the NCAA Championships of 19.58 in the 200m and 9.75 in the 100m were the fastest and second-fastest times respectively run under any condition ever by a collegiate runner. He went on to earn three medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Nellum (USC, 2010-13) was a success on the track and an inspiration to all, overcoming a senseless gunshot to his legs prior to getting his career at USC going. He won the 2013 NCAA 400m title and ranks fifth on USC's all-time 400m dash list. He also won the 2012 and 2013 Pac-12 400m titles and the 2013 conference 200m title. He made the USA Olympic team in 2012 in the 400m and just missed out on the final, while earning a silver medal on USA's 4x400m relay. He was chosen by his Olympic teammates to searve as the USA flag bearer at the Closing Ceremonies. He also won a gold medal as part of USA's 4x400m relay team at the 2017 World Championships.

Maxie-Dowdell (USC, 1986-87, 1989-90) won the first conference women's 400m hurdles title in 1987 and placed second in the event at the 1987 NCAA Championships. She also anchored USC's 1987 NCAA champion 4x400m relay team. She set the USC women's 400m hurdles record in 1987 which would remain the school standard until 2000, and she still ranks fifth on USC's all-time list. Maxie-Dowdell competed in the 400m hurdles at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She also served as team captain for the 1990 season.

Colich (USC, 1969-71) competed for USC in the throws from 1969-71, mostly as a shot putter. He also competed in the discus throw for the Trojans. His brother Tom was also a shot putter for USC. John and his wife, Janine, have been lifelong supporters of the USC athletic department. They have followed and become intricate supporters of several programs and have made donations to the athletic department which have helped the Trojans remain among the most elite programs in the country. Last year, it was through the aid of the Colichs that the Trojans were able to remodel "The Dungeon" weight room under the tennis complex.

HERITAGE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Andre De Grass
Bryshon Nellum
Leslie Maxie-Dowdell
John & Janine Colich

2017 USC T&F AWARD WINNERS

           Men's Academic Award                                       Matthew Myrtue
           Women's Academic Award                                    Anna Cockrell
           Coach's Award                                                      Amalie Iuel, Ricky Morgan Jr., Tanya Sapa
           Mike Simmons Fight On Award                               Dior Hall, Lauren Maurer
           Men's Come Thru Performance Award                     Christian Sourapas, Nick Ponzio
             Women's Come Thru Performance Award                 Brittany Mann, Ky Westbrook, Women's 4x400m
           Men's Most Improved Award                                    Matthew Katnik
           Women's Most Improved Award                               Cameron Pettigrew
           Most Valuable Male Athlete                                     Marquis Morris
           Most Valuable Women Athlete                               Deanna Hill
           Dean Cromwell Most Outstanding Male Athlete       Michael Norman
           Katherine Loker Most Outstanding Women Athlete   Kendall Ellis
             Freshman Impact Performance                                 Anna Cockrell, Michael Norman, Alexander Barnum

Players Mentioned

Joshua Zavala