University Southern California Trojans
DeFrand, Kaalund Earn Recognition on Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Athlete Watch List
December 09, 2025 | Track & Field
The Trojans return to the indoor track in January
LOS ANGELES – USC Track and Field All-American sprinters Dajaz DeFrand and Garrett Kaalund earned spots on the Big Ten 2025 Indoor Track and Field Athlete Watch List, announced on Tuesday. The watch list features 33 student-athletes from across the Big Ten.
DeFrand recorded a stellar indoor season in 2025, racking up six top-three finishes. She went undefeated in the 60m and 200m at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and earned 2025 Big Ten Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. She then capped off her indoor run at the NCAA Indoor Championships, where she won the women's 60m title and set a personal record of 7.09.
Kaalund became a standout athlete for the Trojans after his arrival in 2025. Although he only competed in three meets during the indoor season, Kaalund earned two First-Team All-America honors for the 4x400 relay and the 200m. He also played a significant role in the men's NCAA Indoor Championship victory, contributing 10 points to the team's overall score of 39. Kaalund continued to be instrumental to the team's success during the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he took second place in the 200m and helped guide the 4x100 relay team to a second-place finish.
DeFrand and Kaalund, along with the rest of the indoor track and field squad, will compete in their first indoor competition on January 16, returning to the Spokane Sports Showcase in Spokane, Wash. To keep up with the action this season, visit usctrojans.com or follow along on Instagram and X @usc_track_field.
2025 Indoor Track and Field Athletes to Watch
Men's
Illinois – Luuk Pelkmans
Indiana – Tyler Carrel
Iowa – Kalen Walker
Michigan – Trent McFarland
Michigan State – Logan Allen
Nebraska – Dyson Wicker
Ohio State – Braxton Brann
Oregon – Matthew Erickson
Penn State – Ajani Dwyer
Purdue – Samuel Vessat
Rutgers – Sincere Robinson
UCLA – Gabriel Clement II
USC – Garrett Kaalund
Washington – Ruben Reina
Wisconsin – Jalen Williams
Women's
Illinois – Sophia Beckmon
Indiana – Veronica Hargrave
Iowa – Chioma Nwachukwu
Maryland – Maya Valmon
Michigan – Liz Tapper
Michigan State – Elle Adrian
Minnesota – Anthonett Nabwe
Nebraska – Axelina Johansson
Northwestern – Skye Ellis
Ohio State – Fatouma Conde
Oregon – Wilma Nielsen
Penn State – Maddie Pitts
Purdue – Alexia Smith
Rutgers – Charlee Crawford
UCLA – Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck
USC – Dajaz DeFrand
Washington – Amanda Moll
Wisconsin – Taylor Kesner
DeFrand recorded a stellar indoor season in 2025, racking up six top-three finishes. She went undefeated in the 60m and 200m at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and earned 2025 Big Ten Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. She then capped off her indoor run at the NCAA Indoor Championships, where she won the women's 60m title and set a personal record of 7.09.
Kaalund became a standout athlete for the Trojans after his arrival in 2025. Although he only competed in three meets during the indoor season, Kaalund earned two First-Team All-America honors for the 4x400 relay and the 200m. He also played a significant role in the men's NCAA Indoor Championship victory, contributing 10 points to the team's overall score of 39. Kaalund continued to be instrumental to the team's success during the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he took second place in the 200m and helped guide the 4x100 relay team to a second-place finish.
DeFrand and Kaalund, along with the rest of the indoor track and field squad, will compete in their first indoor competition on January 16, returning to the Spokane Sports Showcase in Spokane, Wash. To keep up with the action this season, visit usctrojans.com or follow along on Instagram and X @usc_track_field.
2025 Indoor Track and Field Athletes to Watch
Men's
Illinois – Luuk Pelkmans
Indiana – Tyler Carrel
Iowa – Kalen Walker
Michigan – Trent McFarland
Michigan State – Logan Allen
Nebraska – Dyson Wicker
Ohio State – Braxton Brann
Oregon – Matthew Erickson
Penn State – Ajani Dwyer
Purdue – Samuel Vessat
Rutgers – Sincere Robinson
UCLA – Gabriel Clement II
USC – Garrett Kaalund
Washington – Ruben Reina
Wisconsin – Jalen Williams
Women's
Illinois – Sophia Beckmon
Indiana – Veronica Hargrave
Iowa – Chioma Nwachukwu
Maryland – Maya Valmon
Michigan – Liz Tapper
Michigan State – Elle Adrian
Minnesota – Anthonett Nabwe
Nebraska – Axelina Johansson
Northwestern – Skye Ellis
Ohio State – Fatouma Conde
Oregon – Wilma Nielsen
Penn State – Maddie Pitts
Purdue – Alexia Smith
Rutgers – Charlee Crawford
UCLA – Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck
USC – Dajaz DeFrand
Washington – Amanda Moll
Wisconsin – Taylor Kesner
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
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