Getting To Know Edward Nketia

This edition of "Getting to Know" features sophomore sprinter Eddie Nketia. He talks about the transition from college football to track and field, the difference between New Zealand and the United States, and what he does on his days off.

Q: Why did you choose to come to USC?

E.N.: The USC heritage with how many Olympians have competed here. I also would love to follow this footstep as well and become a USC Olympian as well as the strong networking and strong coaching support that is here.

Q: Do you have any personal goals or milestones or PRs you want to achieve this season or during your time here?

E.N.: I would love to break the Oceania record in the 100m, which is at 9.83 seconds. Right now, I'm at 10.08, but I haven't run since 2022 and I'm feeling much stronger and much faster. I'm just really wanting to just run already.

Q: What is your favorite part about being a student-athlete here?

E.N.: It just feels like one big family, and it feels like everybody helps each other out. Everybody's so friendly, as we have people from different backgrounds. We're still student-athletes at the end of the day. We all know how hard it can get with all the assignments and the exams.

Q: What are the biggest differences you notice between being in New Zealand and here in the U.S.?

E.N.: The U.S., it's just big, the community is big. Compared to Australia and New Zealand, it is much bigger. I don't see much differences other than the size of the community and also some of the slang as well.

Q: You previously played wide receiver at the University of Hawaii. What motivated you to transition from football at Hawaii to now sprinting here at USC?

E.N.: I started football very late, at 22 and obviously my goal was to make the NFL. I just trust in God and just trust my coaches in Hawaii. They had another plan for me, and they set me up with USC.

Q: Have you ever considered a return to football? Are you just wanting to go through this track route?

E.N.: Every single day, honestly, I just love football so much. I just wish I'd played when I was younger, but it is what it is. I'll focus on the track route and hopefully make the best of it with track….but maybe in another life, I might be a football player.

Q: Your father was the New Zealand 100m record holder before you broke it a couple years back. What role has he played in your development?

E.N.: Everything. My dad was so inspirational. When I was five years old and found out my dad was an Olympian and also a New Zealand record holder, it inspired me. It made me inspired to become like him and train hard, work hard, and just listen to what he says as he has been to the big stage before. I have to focus on what he says and do the work that I know I can, to make it far. But now I'm only 23 and already have my dad's record, and now I'm just trying to get more out of it.

Q: In your USC biography, it says you like to watch college football in your spare time. What about it intrigues you?

E.N.: College football is insane. When you're watching college football, you get the bands playing… it's so interesting, and also the amazing players in college football. College football is fun to play, and there's more games as well to see. You get to see more crazy plays. And don't forget, college football is always unpredictable. You can go in as the number one team, then the next game, an unranked team can beat the number one team, and that's why I always love to see.

Q: You've also mentioned that Kid Cudi and Kurt Cobain are your favorite artists. What about their music resonates with you?

E.N.: I just be myself, and that's what people love me for. I appreciate these two artists being a big part of my life and making it and having a big role on who I am, rather than being somebody that I'm not.

Q: You mentioned that your sports hero is Justin Jefferson. Do you try to emulate his mindset in competition on the track?

E.N.: I just try to have as much swagger as possible. I'm still trying to work my way up. Once I get the confidence, and start swagging out, like, wearing glasses and stuff, like wearing chains. But for now, I have to keep working at it, and hopefully one day… One thing I like about Justin Jefferson's mindset is he didn't start off at the top. He just started off as a two-star recruit. He built himself up and now he is a superstar. It gives me motivation. Just keep going and keep going at it. Because one day, who knows, maybe I could win the Olympic medal.

Q: What is your perfect day off from training or from sprinting? How do you like to relax?

E.N.: I just love to get on the PS5 and grind on EA Sports College Football all day long. I'm just a simple man.

Q: If you weren't a sprinter or football player, what do you think you'd be doing instead?

E.N.: I reckon soccer would have been the next sport that I would have done. It would be either soccer or rugby. I wanted to keep going with rugby during the pandemic, but track and field took place, and I was running amazing times and stuck with it.

Q: Do you have any fun facts about yourself?

E.N.: I'm addicted to Nerds Gummy Clusters and also, I listen to a lot of music. As long as the song is good, I will listen to it.

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