Highlighted by Andre De Grasse's showstopping performance, USC men's track & field finished fifth at the NCAA Championships, scoring 40.5 points, the fifth-most ever for the program under the current scoring system. The Trojans were led by the junior sprinter's eye-popping sweep of the 100m and 200m titles as well as Conor McCullough's individual crown in the hammer, but they also received points from three freshmen, paving the road for future growth in the team competition.
Click here for the complete recap.
Along with Adoree' Jackson in the long jump and Nick Ponzio in the shot put, Randall Cunningham scored in his NCAA Championships debut by finishing tied for eighth in the high jump. Jackson also came back to anchor the 4x100m relay team's fourth place finish, joining De Grasse, Just N' Thymes and BeeJay Lee to record the second fastest time in school history.
"We had a fifth-place finish today, last year we finished fourth even though we scored less points. Fifth place was amazing for the fashion in which we did it," said USC Director of Track and Field Caryl Smith Gilbert.Â
The "fashion" to which Smith Gilbert is referring centers around De Grasse, who inked his name in the USC and NCAA record books by setting the meet record in the 200m after running the second fastest time ever recorded by a collegian in the 100m. He is the fourth Trojan ever to sweep the top two sprints and the 21st man ever, joining an all-time list, which includes some of the greatest names in track history like Jesse Owens, Justin Gatlin and USC's Mel Patton.
"It was just an unbelievable feeling," said De Grasse. "I never thought that I could run that fast but I just have to believe in myself and now that I've run that fast it's just changed my whole perspective on running. I just wanted to come out here and run. Contribute some points to my team and try and win a championship."
Click here for more of De Grasse's night, including video of both races.
Saturday marks the final event day of the 2014-15 USC athletics' calendar as the Women of Troy close out the NCAA Championships in Eugene. Follow @USC_track_field for live tweets or watch the meet live on ESPN.
Here are John McGillen's photos capturing De Grasse's historic performance from all angles:
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