University Southern California Trojans
Record-Setting Racers
March 09, 2018 | Track & Field, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
It's not every day that you set a world record. But USC's 4x400 meter relay team, comprising Zach Shinnick, Michael Norman, Rai Benjamin and Ricky Morgan Jr. did just that at the Tiger Paw Invitational on February 10.
As if a school, collegiate and world record wasn't enough, this talented squad is looking to do it again at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in College Station, Tex. on March 9-10.
On February 10, the group went in to the relay race with their typical racing mindset. Sophomore sprinter Michael Norman said, "as a team we were just really dialed in and focused on competing and just going for the win."
They may have been strictly focused on winning, but the officials had a hunch that this was going to be a race for the books, so they announced that they were setting out the electronic blocks for their race.
Their hunch was right. The USC relay team came in first with a record time of 3:01.98.
"We were all excited that we'd won, but to get the record after was just…wow," said Benjamin. "I was excited we won because it was such a big meet. We had Texas A&M who was the previous record holder in that race and we had [back-to-back national champions] Florida in that race."
You would think long hours of practice and numerous, careful handoffs had occurred in preparation for the relay. However, this outing was actually the group's first time running the 4x400 meter relay all together.
"We did hand offs in the hotel hallway," said Morgan, a senior captain. "We didn't put much practice into it because we have the speed to get the baton around."
Instead, each member of the relay prepared individually.
"We just make sure we have our own plan down and then the relay is kind of just having fun at that point," said Shinnick, a freshman. "We don't really put any pressure on ourselves. We just go out and try to have a good time."
Due to prior injuries and rest periods, the Trojans had been saving this 4x400 meter relay to unveil it at a big meet. The Tiger Paw Invitational was the perfect opportunity.
"We knew we had to execute our race plan and just come home with a win," said Benjamin. "That's what it was all about, just winning."
The relay squad accomplished that and more, putting a real target on their backs by setting the collegiate and IAAF world indoor record.
"After we ran that, other teams are probably trying to now go back and figure out how to elevate their athletes," said Morgan.
Just a few days ago, a Polish team broke USC's world record with a time 0.21 seconds faster than that of the Trojans. So in this weekend's meet, the Trojan squad not only hopes to repeat their success, they hope to improve on it and reclaim their record.
This relay of high caliber athletes has been a long time in the making.
"We've got to take advantage of it because we're only going to have this for this year," said Shinnick.
Now a senior, Morgan has been waiting for this talented lineup since his freshman year. When asked about their group dynamic Morgan remarked, "I hate them…" which led to an eruption of laughter from his teammates. "We play games, we chill, we make jokes about each other."
Morgan mentioned that he's grateful to have these lifelong friends on and off the track to encourage him and push him to be his best.
As Shinnick said, these men must make the most of their limited time all together.
"It's a special thing we have," Norman echoed. "It's easier to get one person to be a great performer and set these records or win NCAAs, but it's always more special and exciting when you have a team of people who work just as hard as you and have the same goals and aspirations."
This freshman, sophomore, junior and senior may be at different places in their USC careers, but they all have one thing in common: their will to win. These Trojans will put that to the test at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships where they may just reclaim that world record.
As if a school, collegiate and world record wasn't enough, this talented squad is looking to do it again at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in College Station, Tex. on March 9-10.
On February 10, the group went in to the relay race with their typical racing mindset. Sophomore sprinter Michael Norman said, "as a team we were just really dialed in and focused on competing and just going for the win."
They may have been strictly focused on winning, but the officials had a hunch that this was going to be a race for the books, so they announced that they were setting out the electronic blocks for their race.
Their hunch was right. The USC relay team came in first with a record time of 3:01.98.
"We were all excited that we'd won, but to get the record after was just…wow," said Benjamin. "I was excited we won because it was such a big meet. We had Texas A&M who was the previous record holder in that race and we had [back-to-back national champions] Florida in that race."
You would think long hours of practice and numerous, careful handoffs had occurred in preparation for the relay. However, this outing was actually the group's first time running the 4x400 meter relay all together."We did hand offs in the hotel hallway," said Morgan, a senior captain. "We didn't put much practice into it because we have the speed to get the baton around."
Instead, each member of the relay prepared individually.
"We just make sure we have our own plan down and then the relay is kind of just having fun at that point," said Shinnick, a freshman. "We don't really put any pressure on ourselves. We just go out and try to have a good time."
Due to prior injuries and rest periods, the Trojans had been saving this 4x400 meter relay to unveil it at a big meet. The Tiger Paw Invitational was the perfect opportunity.
"We knew we had to execute our race plan and just come home with a win," said Benjamin. "That's what it was all about, just winning."
The relay squad accomplished that and more, putting a real target on their backs by setting the collegiate and IAAF world indoor record.
"After we ran that, other teams are probably trying to now go back and figure out how to elevate their athletes," said Morgan.
Just a few days ago, a Polish team broke USC's world record with a time 0.21 seconds faster than that of the Trojans. So in this weekend's meet, the Trojan squad not only hopes to repeat their success, they hope to improve on it and reclaim their record.
This relay of high caliber athletes has been a long time in the making.
"We've got to take advantage of it because we're only going to have this for this year," said Shinnick.
Now a senior, Morgan has been waiting for this talented lineup since his freshman year. When asked about their group dynamic Morgan remarked, "I hate them…" which led to an eruption of laughter from his teammates. "We play games, we chill, we make jokes about each other."
Morgan mentioned that he's grateful to have these lifelong friends on and off the track to encourage him and push him to be his best.
As Shinnick said, these men must make the most of their limited time all together.
"It's a special thing we have," Norman echoed. "It's easier to get one person to be a great performer and set these records or win NCAAs, but it's always more special and exciting when you have a team of people who work just as hard as you and have the same goals and aspirations."
This freshman, sophomore, junior and senior may be at different places in their USC careers, but they all have one thing in common: their will to win. These Trojans will put that to the test at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships where they may just reclaim that world record.
Players Mentioned
Hurdles/Sprints
/ Track & Field
400m
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & FieldWednesday, July 08
Wednesday, July 08
Wednesday, July 08
Monday, July 06
