Among the historical clutter, the current men's team can find a precedent for the improbable feat the Trojans are hoping to accomplish at the NCAA Championships this week in Eugene, Oregon. USC qualified only five athletes this year, but it took only four Trojans to win the 1943 national championship (trophy pictured).In that war-torn season, head coach Dean Cromwell did not even make the trip sending sprinters Jack Trout and Cliff Bourland, long jumper Edsel Curry and javelin thrower Doug Miller on a seemingly fruitless mission. Instead, the foursome finished in the top three of all six of their events to tally up 46 points, a championship-winning score.
The lean and mean 2013 Trojans will need similar results to hang with the likes of No. 1 Texas A&M which will bring 17 athletes to Hayward Field. USC's first man off the bus is senior Bryshon Nellum, one of 10 finalists for the Bowerman Award (top collegiate male track and field athlete), and he is a top contender in both the 200m and 400m sprints.
Olympian Aaron Brown (100m and 200m), and Pac-12 champion Reggie Wyatt (400m IH - pictured below) will also be counted on to score for the Trojans. Aleec Harris (110m HH) and Pac-12 champion Remington Conatser (hammer) will make their NCAA debuts, but both are experienced juniors.
Click here for the complete men's and women's preview.
The four-day event begins Wednesday with live streaming on Pac-12.com and ESPN3.com as well as television coverage on ESPNU.
