USC Athletics

All-American sprinter Ricky Morgan Jr. is in his final season of running for USC.  He is serving as a USC team captain for the second consecutive season.  Morgan has scored in the 400m dash at the Pac-12 meet every season at USC and he sits just outside the Trojans' all-time top 10 in the event.  The 2018 season promises to be a special season for Morgan individually, as part of the 4x400m relay team and for the USC track and field team in general.  We caught up to Morgan as the first semester came to an end.

Q: What made you choose USC?

RM:    I didn't really know much about USC during the recruiting process except for my coach at the time, who played football here. I did some research and discovered all of the accolades that USC had, and that it was considered by some the Ivy League of the west coast. I took a visit and fell in love when I got off the plane: the people, the atmosphere, the alumni base is a big reason why I came here. Academics was a big factor as well in my decision-making process.

Q:  How do you find balance with student life and academics with track and field?

RM:    It was hard my first semester, but after that you get into the swing of things. As an athlete here, you have the luxury of access to academic resources like the John McKay Center and the academic advisors and tutors. They are the training wheels for you, and they become less involved as they see you grow. Sleep is also a big thing. If I finish my day with tutoring at 8 p.m., I have to ask myself if I have enough time to study because I have a quick turnaround with practice in the morning. I was able to find a happy medium, now that I've grown and am a senior, and have less classes.

Q:  What inspired you to get into track & field?

RM:    My coaches would throw me in the 400 because I had the strength, but not the foot speed. I used to cry and I hated it, but as I got older, I realized that this is a race where I had time to catch up to someone. As I was getting through high school, I became more focused on improving myself. Now I'm working on getting my 200 time down, so that I can be competitive in both races.

Q:  Are you staying with the 400m or are switching to do more 200m?

RM:    My coach wants me to do more 200s because the base is there. Now, I just need to work on my speed in practice. I need to make a statement from the first time I take a step on the track this year.
Q:  What are your goals for this year?

RM:    I want to win NCAAs in the 400m. With the schedule of events, I wouldn't be able to perform well in the 200m with not enough recovery time in between. I also am feeling optimistic about the 4x400 this year. We just need to execute and get the stick around. Let the clock stop where it may, but it's going to be fun with these guys.

Q:  When did you realize you had enough talent to be recruited by a university?

RM:    It was around my junior year of high school. I stopped playing football because I had too many injuries, so I wanted to have a full track career. I actually was wearing a cast on my right arm my sophomore year during track, and we had to switch up the 4x100 so that I could go last. I came in third in the state that year as well, which is when I decided to really dive into track. Over that summer, I worked on foot placement, what I can do to get stronger, and changing up my diet. I came out junior year and ran a couple low 47s. At nationals, I asked my coach what I needed to run to get a scholarship. He said I needed to run a 46, and I ran it that day. Ever since then, colleges started to roll in and I realize that I'm all right at this sport.

Q: Do you have any pre-race rituals?

RM:    The night before, I try to get in my zone. I steam up the room and look in the mirror and visualize everything about the race so that the next day I don't have to spend any time wondering what I have to do. The race is already done, I just need to get in the blocks, hear the gun, and go. I always say a prayer before I run and then close it at the end. It's for everyone in the race.  I pray that we have a good competitive race and that nobody goes down with an injury.

Q:  What are your post-college plans?

RM:    I would love to run post-collegiate. I would like to run some Diamond League meets in the summer. It would be interesting to go to Europe in the summer and see what the professional life is like.