Getting To Know Caisja Chandler

In the latest addition of "Getting to Know," join us to learn all about graduate transfer sprinter Caisja Chandler. Chandler, the All-American, talks about what brought her to USC and what makes her tick on and off the track.

Q: What brought you from Cincinnati to USC?

CC: Well, I've just graduated from Cincinnati and I wanted something new. I've been in Ohio all my life. I was in Cincinnati for four years. So it's almost like the new warmer weather, different coaches and everything.

Q: What was one of the main factors that brought you to USC?

CC: The culture that's here, there's a lot of tradition here. I see that now and saw it on my visit. Also, the coaches. Everybody just seemed nice and welcoming. When I came here I wanted to be a part of a team like that. I thought this is a winning team, and I wanted to be a part of that for my last year.

Q: Was there a specific place you wanted to transfer to?

CC: No, because pretty much every school I was talking to was a full scholarship. It was really for me based off of the coaches and what they can help me do during the year, like looking at their stats. Looking at their stats and seeing what their athletes have done in the past, I want to improve this year from last year.

Q: What is your favorite part about being in L.A.?

CC: The weather. It's a little chilly now, but I like the weather because it's super cold back home. Also, the team is really cool, they were very welcoming when I got here. I thought it was going to be hard to make friends, but it was really easy. I like having training partners because at my old school I didn't have any. I like that a lot because it helps me and the coaches, too. Also, I love Coach Jeter. She's crazy but I love her.

Q: Was there a moment you felt at home here at USC?

CC: It took a while, because obviously everything here is different from what I'm accustomed to; I'm coming from a school that I was at for four years, so it took a while for me to adjust, especially to the workouts and the warm up. Plus, it was new workouts, a new team, new coaches and it took a while, but after a while I got the hang of it. I started getting it together and was doing really well at practice.

Q: What are your biggest goals for this track season?

CC: Break records and be the best in the NCAA, and win the championship with my team. Plus go pro.

Q: What is your ultimate goal for your career?

CC: To be one of the best.

Q: What is one of your favorite things to do in California?

CC: I like sightseeing, because I mean it is California, so there is a lot here that you can see. I want to go see the Hollywood sign, I've never seen that before. I already went to Universal Studios for the Halloween Horror Nights. I like seeing all the different things because there's a lot of stuff.

Q: What do you do to relax on your off days?

CC: I like cooking and also binge watching shows and watching movies too.

Q: What are you binging right now?

CC: I just got finished binge watching Dead to Me on Netflix

Q: What is your favorite thing to cook?

CC: I like the easy stuff; I like making spaghetti, I like making steak. I just kind of learned how to make chicken. I also definitely like salmon and tilapia because that's easy. I've just been learning how to make different types of meals.

Q: So how are the master's classes going right now?

CC: I think it is way better than my undergrad. The classes are in the evenings so I don't have to worry about waking up at 8 a.m. and having like a million classes after that. I also love the program. I'm in digital media management and it's like something that I'm in to because I love TikTok and making content on TikTok and stuff like that. It kind of helps me learn more about that type of stuff in the digital world.

Q: How does a digital media masters help with your dream of being a pro runner?

CC: I think knowing that type of stuff can help especially as a pro or just even now with NIL just getting deals and stuff. I have over 22,000 followers on Tiktok, so I'm always getting emails about brands wanting to work with me. I like working with other brands and making content for those brands.

Q: What are some of your goals for this year at USC?

CC: Good GPA and obviously graduate, because getting my masters from here, I know it is big, it holds a lot of weight on the track. I just want to be successful and be one of the best, like the top. I also want to help my team win a championship. Mentally, I have to stay strong. My dad just passed away about a month ago. I'm just trying to stay strong for him and try to continue to make him proud even though he's not here. So having to work on that mentally.

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Getting To Know Caisja Chandler

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