3 d e u l Return To Glory

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1 USC ENJOYS MUCH SUCCESS IN 2014 i 2 - Men T-4th, Women T-16th At NCAA Championships -

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r USC Track & Field U USC Track e b CConatseronatser wwinsins hhammerammer tthrowhrow ttitleitle HHarrisarris wwinsins 1110m10m HHHH ttitleitle m e t INSIDE: p • Coach’s Corner • Golf Tournament Flyer

e • 2014 Recap • Zamperini Tribute

September 11, 2014 S September 11, • Summer Competitions • Cross Country Preview • Trojan Recruits • And Much More... COACH CARYL’S CORNER With one year in the books I can truly say that I am so happy to be the Director of Track & Field at USC and am so excited for the future! We had a solid fi rst season and I was excited to see our athletes compete so hard, now we are ready to do better things!

Last season we were able to capture the women’s MPSF Indoor title in our fi rst season, both the men’s and women’s teams placed second at the conference meet and then our men tied for fourth and the women tied for 16th at the NCAA Championships. Along the way we had some outstanding individual performances like Aleec Harris setting the Pac-12 and school record in the 110m HH and Aaron Brown winning the 100m and 200m dashes at the Pac-12 Championships and fi nishing in the top three in both events at the NCAA Championships. Our women’s team posted 14 marks last season which rank in the USC all-time top 10.

These are great things and I would like that to be the norm here at USC. We have established a solid foundation and return a strong team on both the men’s and women’s side with fi rst- team All-Americans like Alexandra Collatz, Alexis Faulknor, Tynia Gaither, Vanessa Jones, BeeJay Lee and Akawkaw Ndipagbor and Pac-12 heptathlon champion Amalie Iuel. We have also added a couple of high-end transfers and our recruiting class combined to win 14 individual state titles in 2014. I would be remiss if I did not mention that three-time All-American hammer thrower Jenny Ozorai has returned to health and we are looking for big things from her this season.

Shortly we will begin the Fall workout program which sets the tone for the whole season. Many of our athletes have already arrived on campus and just seeing them gets me excited for the upcoming season and the great things I believe we can accomplish. Though our men’s team will be quite young this season, I believe both teams will be very competitive on the national level.

I was able to meet many of our great fans last season and am looking forward to meeting more of you this season. Coach Allice has been a blessing as a mentor to me this past year. His wisdom, honesty and knowledge has been invaluable to me. He is an avid supporter of the USC track and fi eld program. Thank you Trojan Force...now its time to win some championships!

Fight On!

Caryl

2014 SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Men’s Team:

• NCAA Championships - T-4th Place • NCAA Preliminary Rounds - 4 individuals in 5 events advance & 4x100m relay • Pac-10 Championships - 2nd Place • First Team All-Americans: Terence Abram (4x100m), Aaron Brown (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Viktor Fajoyomi (Decathlon), Aleec Harris (110m HH, 4x100m), BeeJay Lee (4x100m) AAaronaron BBrownrown Women’s Team:

• NCAA Championships - T-16th Place • NCAA West Regional - 7 individuals in 9 events & 2 relays advance • Pac-10 Championships - 2nd Place • First Team All-Americans: Alexandra Collatz (Discus), Jessica Davis (4x100m, 4x400m), Alexis Faulknor (4x100m), Tynia Gaither (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Vanessa Jones (4x400m), Loudia Laarman (4x100m), Ashley Liverpool (4x400m), Akawkaw Ndipagbor (4x400m)

Above right Aaron Brown receives his 200m award from USC Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert. Brown placed second in the 200m, third in the 100m and 4th as part of USC’s 4x100m relay team. Gaither placed 8th in the 100m, 6th in the 200m and 2nd as part of USC’s 4x100m relay team at the NCAA Championships. TTyniaynia GaitherGaither • 2014 POSTSEASON AND DUAL MEET REVIEW • Men T4th, Women T-16th At 2014 NCAAs USC Wins Most Titles At Pac-12 Meet - Brown & Gaither Score In 3 Events - - USC Men & Women Both Take Second Place -

USC had a strong showing at the 2014 NCAA Track & Field Championships USC’s men’s and women’s teams both placed second and won more com- held in Eugene, Ore. from June 11-14. The men’s team tied for fourth and the bined titles that any other school at the Pac-12 Track & Field Champion- women’s team tied for 16th in Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert’s fi rst ships hosted by Washington State at Mooberry Track & Field Complex in season at the helm of the Trojan program. Pullman, Wash. The Trojan women scored 145 points and the men 99 and combined to win 12 event titles, three more than Oregon which swept the USC had only four individual men in fi ve events after hammer throw favorite conference meet and eight more than any other school. Remy Conatser had to pull out of the regional following an emergency appen- dectomy, but they all answered the bell. Aaron Brown took second in the 200m, Trojans winning titles for the men were Aaron Brown (100m, 200m), Rem- third in the 100m and teamed with Terence Abram, BeeJay Lee and Aleec Harris ington Conatser (Hammer), Aleec Harris (110m HH) and the 4x100m relay. to place fourth in the 4x100m relay. Harris took second in the 110m HH, nar- USC women winning titles were Lauren Blackburn (100m HH), Alexandra rowly edged out at the wire despite running 13.18 which tied his PR which was previously the second-fastest time ever by a collegiate hurdler. Viktor Fajoyomi Collatz (Discus), Melia Cox (TJ), Amalie Iuel (Heptathlon), Jaide Stepter began the competition by placing seventh in the decathlon. (400m IH) and both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Aaron Brown was named Men’s Athlete of the Meet for his wins in the 100m, 200m and Tynia Gaither led the women’s team by placing sixth in the 100m, eighth in the 4x100m relay. 200m and joining with Loudia Laarman, Jessica Davis and Alexis Faulknor to place second in the 4x100m relay. The 4x400m relay team of Ashley Liverpool, USC’s women’s 4x100m relay won with a stadium and meet record time of Akawkaw Ndipagbor, Davis and Vanessa Jones placed seventh. Alexandra 43.21, which is third all-time by a Trojan quartet and Pac-12 team. Harris Collatz was the other individual scorer with an eighth-place fi nish in the discus broke the Mooberry Track and conference meet record in the 110m HH in throw. the semis and fi nals, winning with a time of 13.35. Blackburn won the 100m Trojan athletes scoring and earning fi rst-team All-America status were: Ter- HH title and set the track record in the semis with a time of 13.30. The other ence Abram (4x100m, 5 points), Aaron Brown (100m, 6 points, 200m, 8 points, USC hurdler to win and set a track record was Stepter in the women’s 400m 4x100m, 5 points), Alexandra Collatz (Discus, 1 point), Jessica Davis (4x100m, 8 IH with a time of 56.99. Brown set track records in the 100m semis (10.16) points, 4x400m, 2 points), Viktor Fajoyomi (Decathlon, 2 points), Alexis Faulknor and the 200m fi nals (20.26). (4x100m, 8 points), Tynia Gaither (100m, 1 point, 200m, 3 points, 4x100m, 8 points), Aleec Harris (110m HH, 8 points, 4x100m, 5 points), Vanessa Jones Final 2014 Pac-12 Championship Results: Men’s Scores: 1.) Oregon - 163.25, , 3.) Arizona - 83, 4.) ASU - (4x400m, 2 points), Loudia Laarman (4x100m, 8 points), BeeJay Lee (4x100m, 2.) USC - 99 80, 75.) Washington - 75.25, 6.) Stanford - 71, 7.) UCLA - 68.25, 8.) California 5 points), Ashley Liverpool (4x400m, 2 points), Akawkaw Ndipagbor (4x400m, - 67, 9.) WSU - 66.50, 10.) Colorado - 44. 2 points). Women’s Scores: 1.) Oregon - 176, 2.) USC - 145, 3.) ASU and Stanford Final team scores: - 75, 5.) Arizona - 74, 6.) UCLA - 68, 7.) Washington - 53, 8.) WSU - 46.5, 9.) Men: 1.) Oregon - 88, 2.) Florida - 70, 3.) Texas A&M - 41.5, 4.) USC California - 44.5, 10.) Colorado - 33, 11.) Utah - 23, 12.) OSU - 2. and LSU - 29, 6.) Georgia - 24, 7.) Arizona - 23.5, 8.) Baylor - 21, 9.) Arkansas and Wisconsin - 20. Women: 1.) Texas A&M - 75, 2.) Texas - 60, 3.) Oregon - 59, 4.) Florida - Trojans Split Dual Meet With Bruins - Brown & Gaither Part Of Three Wins - 55, 5.) Georgia - 35...T-16.) USC and Florida State - 15. Tynia Gaither on the women’s side and Aaron Brown on the men’s side won the 100m and 200m dashes as well as ran a leg on winning 4x100m 11 Individuals Advance Out Of Regional relays to lead the USC track & fi eld team to a split in the annual USC-UCLA - Also One Men’s & Two Women’s Relay Teams - Dual Meet held at Drake Stadium in Westwood, Calif. on May 4. The USC women’s team won 95-68 to make it six victories in the last seven seasons, USC advanced four individual men and seven individual women as well as while the men’s team fell 89-74. USC’s men lead the all-time series 42-39, three relay teams to the NCAA Championships after a strong three days while the women trail in the series 22-9. (May 29-31) of competition by the Trojans at the NCAA Track and Field Preliminary Rounds held in Fayetteville, Arkansas. USC’s men swept the 110m HH and the 100m races, as well as the triple Trojans who earned a trip to the NCAAs individually by advancing out of the jump. The Trojan women took 1st-3rd in the 400m led by Vanessa Jones Preliminary Rounds with a top 12 fi nish were: Aaron Brown (100m, 200m), PR of 52.63, the 200m and shot put, took 1st-2nd in the discus throw, 100m, Alexandra Collatz (discus), Melia Cox (triple jump, 100m HH), Jessica Davis 400m IH and hammer throw. (100m), Tynia Gaither (100m, 200m), Aleec Harris (110m HH), Amalie Iuel (400m IH), Vanessa Jones (400m), BeeJay Lee (100m), Oluwakemi Olon- Jeff Churchman won the men’s javelin throw with a PR of 218-1 which ade (triple jump). In addition, the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays and moved him from seventh to fi fth on USC’s all-time list. Chase Peterson the women’s 4x400m relay advanced. Also, Viktor Fajoyomi qualifi ed in the won the men’s 400m IH with a time of 52.04, a PR of nearly two seconds. decathlon which goes off the descending order list. Katerina Berdousi won the women’s 1500m race with a time of 4:38.28 to clinch the meet for the USC women. Remington Conatser won the men’s The highlight of the regional for the Trojans was the senior Harris’ perfor- mance in the men’s 110m HH. Harris won the second heat of the men’s hammer throw competition by 49 feet! 110m HH and ignited the crowd with a winning time of 13.18 (+1.8) to set the West Regional record, which had been broken in the previous heat by Other USC men winning events were Aaron Brown (100m, 200m), Aleec Wayne Davis III with a time of 13.20 (+1.9). Harris’ PR was the No. 1 time Harris (110m HH), Davonte Stewart (400m) and Allen Williams (TJ). in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world at the time. He dropped his school record from 13.32 to 13.18. He also broke the Pac-12 record of 13.22 set by Greg Other Trojan women winning titles were Lauren Blackburn (100m HH), Lau- Foster of UCLA in 1978. ren Chambers (Hammer), Alexandra Collatz (Discus), Melia Cox (TJ), Tynia Gaither (100m, 200m), Tanya Sapa (Shot Put) and Jaide Stepter (400m IH). Also, Brown’s set a PR in winning the 200m with a time of 20.16 (+0.5) to better his third-place standing on USC’s all-time list in the event. It also tied him for the fi fth-fastest time in the world at that point in the season and Women: USC - 95 UCLA - 68 broke the Canadian record of 20.17 which had stood since 1991. Men: USC - 74 UCLA - 89 The biggest setback for the men’s team at the regional was hammer thrower Remy Conatser being shut down following an emergency appendectomy just two days before the regional. USC AT THE USA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS Former USC athletes Duane Solomon the semifi nals Saturday third with a time jump came in her fi rst attempt and she did won the 800m title, Ryan Wilson was of 49.85. not improve in her next two jumps, but ad- second in the 110m HH, Reggie Wyatt vanced to the fi nals. In the fi nals she had was third in the 400m IH, Bryshon Nellum Nellum (2010-13) was competing in his three fouls and hung on to grab eighth was sixth in the 200m and 2014 graduate fi rst championship races since the 2013 place. Boyd also competed in the wom- Aleec Harris was fourth in the 110m HH to lead the Trojans on the fi nal day of the USA Track & Field Championships held in Sacramento, Calif. today (June 29). USC also had four athletes compete in fi nals on Saturday, highlighted by Josh Mance taking second in the 400m dash.

Solomon cruised to victory in the 800m fi nal with a time of 1:44.30 to make it two consecutive USA national titles in the 800m for the Trojan alumnus (2005-08). Solomon began his quest by winning his heat and having the top time in the pre- liminaries of 1:47.19 and did the same in the semifi nals on Friday with a time of 1:45.61. USA T&F Championships and placed sixth in the 200m dash with a time of 20.65 (+1.3). In the semifi nals earlier in the day, Nellum ran 20.36 (+3.7w) to fi nish fourth. He opened with a time of 20.68 (+0.2) in the preliminary round on Saturday.

Mance (2011-12) fi nished second in the men’s 400m dash with a time of 44.89 on Saturday. He and the winner Gil Roberts (44.53) were the only two runners to go sub-45 seconds. Mance was third in the preliminaries with a time of 45.35 and then was fi fth in the semifi nals with a time en’s triple jump competition on Thursday of 45.28. Earlier in the day on Saturday, and had a best jump of 42-0.00/12.80m USC volunteer assistant coach DeeDee (+2.8w) to place 13th. Trotter placed fi fth in the women’s 400m fi nal with a time of 51.04. Remington Conatser (2013-14) got the competition started for the Trojans when The other Trojans competing in fi nals on he placed 12th in the men’s hammer Saturday, June 28 were Jesse Williams throw on Thursday with a best mark of (2004-06) in the men’s high jump, Nia Ali 219-11 (67.03m). For the 2014 Pac-12 (2008-09, 2011) in the women’s 100m HH champion Conatser, it was his fi rst com- and Alitta Boyd (2010-13) in the women’s petition since undergoing an emergency long jump. appendectomy on May 26 which kept him out of the NCAA Championships. Williams placed fi fth in the high jump The 110m HH closed the 2014 USA Track with a clearance of 7-4.50 (2.25m). Wil- USC junior Alexandra Collatz and sopho- & Field Championships and it ended with liams was the only athlete clean over the more Tera Novy competed in the women’s Wilson (2000-03) falling .005 seconds fi rst three bars in the competition, but discus throw competition on Sunday and short of defending his national title, taking then missed all three attempts at 7-5.75 placed 10th and 13th respectively. Collatz second with a time of 13.16 just behind (2.28m). had a best throw of 177-11 (54.24m) and Devon Allen of Oregon (13.155). Harris Novy’s best mark was 168-10 (51.46m). (2012-14), who fi nished .02 seconds be- Ali, the 2014 world indoor 60m HH cham- hind Allen at the 2014 NCAA Track & Field pion, placed eighth in the women’s 100m Shana Woods (2007-09, 11) competed Championships, placed fourth with a time HH with a time of 13.16 (-1.6). Ali ran in the heptathlon and placed 13th with a of 13.26 (+1.3). Harris had reached the 12.89 in the prelims on Friday to come two-day (June 27-28) point total of 5,466. fi nals earlier in the day with the third-fast- out of the round with the ninth-fastest est qualifi er of 13.20 (+1.2) in the semifi - time. Also advancing out of the prelimi- Woods was in the top eight competitors nals, while Wilson was sixth with a time nary round in 13th was Candice (Davis) for most of the competition, but struggled of 13.31 (+2.6w). Logan Taylor (2005-08) Price (2004-07) with a time of 13.08 and in the last two events, the javelin throw also reached the semifi nals, but did not 2014 Pac-12 champion Lauren Blackburn and the 800m race. fi nish the race after hitting an early hurdle. (2011-14) in 16th with a time of 13.25. In the semifi nals Saturday morning, Ali was Six-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix Wyatt (2010-13) was third in the 400m fourth in her heat to qualify with a time of ran in the 100m prelims on Thursday and IH with a time of 50.16. He won the 2013 13.00, while Price was 12th overall with had a time of 11.53 good for 14th, but she NCAA 400m IH title, but was disqualifi ed a time of 13.20 and Blackburn was 16th at the 2013 USA Track & Field Champi- overall with a time of 13.48 (+1.3). withdrew from the semifi nal as she contin- onships for a trail leg violation. Wyatt ad- ues to battle back from a torn hamstring at vanced out of the preliminary rounds Fri- Boyd placed eighth in the long jump with the 2013 World Championships. day ninth with a time of 51.04 and out of a best leap of 20-9.25/6.33m (+0.4). That TROJAN TRIO COMPETES AT of the preliminary rounds with a time of FIVE INCOMING FRESHMEN 13.73 (+3.4w). CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS REACH USATF JUNIOR FINALS Gabriella Cantrell (San Leandro HS, San USC’s recently graduated seniors Aaron Five of USC’s incoming freshman on the Leandro, Calif.) reached the fi nals in the Brown and Loudia Laarman competed track and fi eld team reached the fi nals at women’s 200m dash Sunday, but was dis- in the 100m and incoming junior sprinter the 2014 USATF Junior Championships qualifi ed in the race. Earlier in the day she Andre De Grasse competed in the 100m held in Eugene, Ore. from July 5-6, led advanced to the fi nals with fi nal qualifying and 200m dashes at the Canadian Track by Dior Hall who placed second in the time of 24.45 (+1.2). It was an impressive & Field Championships in Moncton, NB, 100m hurdles. Hall qualifi ed for the USA result for Cantrell who was coming back Canada from June 27-29 All three ath- team which will compete at the 2014 IAAF from a hamstring injury suffered during letes advanced to the fi nals. World Junior Championships in Eugene the indoor season. from July 22-27. On Saturday, Brown had a time of 10.31 Jerayah Davis (Kelly Walsh HS, Casper, (+0.4) to fi nish second in the men’s 100m Hall (George Washington HS, Denver, Wy.) placed 11th in the women’s long semifi nals, while De Grasse was sixth Colo.) placed second in the women’s jump with a best leap of 19-2.00/5.84m with a time of 10.47 (-1.7). Later in the 100m HH fi nal with a time of 13.00 (+2.0) (+2.4w) in her fi rst attempt on Sunday. day, De Grasse took second with a time in Sunday’s fi nal. She placed second to She had a foul in her second attempt and of 10.41 (-1.8) and Brown third with a time Kendell Williams (12.87) who was the a jump of 18-3.75/5.58 (+2.3w) in her fi nal of 10.43 (-1.8). Brown was third at the 2014 NCAA heptathlon champion. Hall attempt. 2014 NCAA Championships in the 100m reached the fi nals with the second-fastest and second in the 200m. Brown pulled out time of 13.17 (+2.6) in the semifi nals on of the 200m fi nals, but set the Canadian Saturday. record of 20.16 earlier in the year. De HALL & MORGAN MEDAL AT Grasse fi nished fourth in the 200m fi nals Ky Westbrook (Chandler HS, Chandler, IAAF WORLD YOUTH GAMES Sunday with a time of 21.05 (-2.3), after Ariz.) fi nished fourth in the women’s 100m placing fi fth in the semifi nals with a time fi nal by running a time of 11.43 (+0.9) on Incoming freshmen Dior Hall in the 100m of 21.02 (+0.2). Saturday. In the prelims earlier in the day HH and Ricky Morgan in the 4x400m she posted a time of 11.46 (+1.1). relay won medals for USA at the IAAF World Youth Championships held in Eu- gene, Ore. from July 22-27.

Hall won a silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles race and set a national high school record with a PR of 12.92 in the fi nal on July 27. Hall was edged out by fellow American and 2014 NCAA heptath- lon champion from Georgia Kendell Wil- liams, who had a time of 12.89. Both run- ners beat the previous IAAF World Youth Championships meet record of 12.96 set in 1988 by Cuba’s Aliuska Lopez. Hall’s time also established a new high school record, besting the mark of 12.95 set by Candy Young in 1979. Morgan ran the third leg for USA’s win- ning 4x400m relay which clocked a time of 3:03.31 to win the gold medal. That time was the fourth-fastest in meet history and the best mark by a U.S. 19-and-under Laarman placed sixth in the women’s quartet in a decade. 100m fi nal Saturday with a time of 11.72 (-0.7). She had the same time earlier in the day to advance out of the semifi nals in fi fth.

Ricky Morgan (Forest Park HS, Wood- bridge, Va.) had a time of 46.71 in the men’s 400m fi nal to place fi fth Sunday. He posted a time of 47.05 in the preliminary round on Saturday.

Also placing fi fth was Robert Ford (Clau- dia Taylor Johnson HS, San Antonio, Tex- as) in the men’s 800m fi nal with a time of Also at the IAAF World Youth Champion- 1:50.04 on Saturday. He advanced to the ships, soon-to-be sophomore Alex Ro- fi nal with a time of 1:50.26 in the semis. hani placed 32nd in the men’s 400m race with a time of 48.03. He competed at the Marquis Morris (De La Salle HS, Con- meet representing Iran. cord, Calif.) took sixth in the men’s 110m HH fi nals with a time of 13.74 (+1.7) on Sunday. On Saturday he advanced out CUNNINGHAM WINS GOLD Ponzio, the 2013 California high school COLLATZ 2ND AT NACAC U-23 state champion in the shot put, attended AT AAU JUNIOR OLYMPICS Florida in 2014 but did not compete and CHAMPIONSHIPS will have four years of eligibility remain- Incoming freshmen Randall Cunningham Senior Alexandra Collatz represented ing. Ponzio has a best shot put of 69-7.25 won the gold medal in the high jump at USA and USC when she placed second in which is third all-time by a California high the 2014 AAU Junior Olympics held July the discus throw at the 2014 NACAC Un- 22-Aug. 2 in Des Moines, Ia. school athlete and is the Southern Sec- der-23 International Athletics Champion- tion record. Ponzio ranked fi rst in the ships held in Kamloops, BC, Canada on Cunningham won the event with a clear- country among high school shot putters Aug. 8. The athletic competition is held ance of 7-0.00 (2.13m). Only two of the in 2013 and went on to win the CIF state between the member associations of the 38 competitors were able to clear 2.00 shot put title with a mark of 66-2.50. He North American, Central American and meters, with Jurien Royal placing second also placed fourth at the state meet in the Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC). with a clearance of 6-10.00 (2.08m). discus throw with throw of 184-6. Ponzio owns a best discus throw of 187-8.50. He Collatz had a best throw of 174-6 (53.20m) It was the ninth meet Cunningham won attended Great Oak High in Temecula, in the competition. during the 2014 season and he cleared at Calif. and was named the 2013 Press- In 2014 Collatz won the Pac-12 discus least 7-0.00 in seven of the competitions. Enterprise Boys Track Athlete of the Year. Earlier in the season he won the Mt. SAC throw title and had a personal best throw Invitational with a season-best jump of of 187-6 (57.15m) on March 3. She went 7-2.00. It was his second consecutive on to place eighth and earn All-America season winning at Mt. SAC and later in honors at the NCAA Championships with the season he won his second consecu- a mark of 174-1. Collatz ranks second on tive Nevada state high jump title. Cun- USC’s all-time discus throw list, less than ningham has a best high jump of 7-3.25 two feet off the school record of 189-5 (2.22m). (57.73m) set by Kate Hutchinson in 2006. HARRIS RE-TAKES PAC-12 110M HH RECORD IN OREGON

Aleec Harris won the 110m high hurdle race at the 2014 Run Track Town High Performance Meet in Eugene, Ore. on July 27 and in the process set a Pac-12 Conference record.

Smallwood of Silverado High in Las Ve- Harris, who set the conference record gas, Nev. is a two-time Nevada state tri- with a time of 13.18 at the NCAA West ple jump champion. He broke the Nevada Regional, only to see his mark bettered by Southern Zone record with a wind-legal Oregon’s Devon Allen with a time of 13.16 triple jump of 50-1.00 this season, which in the NCAA Finals, put his name back in the record books with a winning time of ranked fi fth in the country among high 13.14 (+1.2). school seniors. Smallwood won the 2014 Nevada state championship in the triple His time bettered his school record which USC ADDS RECRUITS PONZIO & jump (48-1.50) and long jump (24-1.25w) had been 13.18 and included in the fi eld SMALLWOOD TO 2014 CLASS and won the triple jump title in 2013 with of athletes he defeated were Aires Mer- a leap of 49-2.00. Smallwood placed sev- ritt, the world record-holder and reigning The USC track and fi eld team has signed enth in 2013 at the USATF Junior Cham- Olympic Champion and Jason Richard- thrower Nick Ponzio and jumper Domi- pionships in the triple jump with a mark son, the 2011 world champion in the 110m nic Smallwood to its already strong 2014 of 47-8.50. He also has a PR in the high HH. track and fi eld recruiting class, it was jump of 6-7.50. When Harris fi rst broke the record on May announced today (July 17) by Director 31, he topped the mark of 13.22 estab- In all, USC’s track and fi eld recruits won of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert. In lished by Greg Foster in 1978. February, USC announced the signings 14 individual state titles during the 2014 of Gabriella Cantrell (women’s sprints), high school track season. Also at the meet, graduated senior Jes- Randall Cunningham (men’s high Jump), sica Davis placed seventh in the women’s Jerayah Davis (women’s sprints), Andre 100m dash with a time of 11.60 and Jesse De Grasse (men’s sprints), Kendall El- Williams won the men’s high jump with a . clearance of 7-5.25 (2.27m). lis (women’s 400m), Robert Ford (men’s 800m), Dior Hall (women’s hurdles), Deanna Hill (women’s sprints), Ricky Mor- gan (men’s 400m), Marquis Morris (men’s hurdles), Madisen Richards (women’s jumps), Madison Ricks (women’s 800m), Jordan Wallin (men’s 800m) and Ky West- brook (women’s sprints). In addition, USC football recruit Adoree Jackson ranked second among high school long jumpers in 2014. THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF USC T&F LOOKS BRIGHT - Trojans Bring In A Highly Ranked 2014 Recruiting Class -

The USC track and fi eld team has a very strong group of 17 student-athletes entering school this fall. The original recruiting class was announced on Feb. 6 and two more were reported on July 17. The following is an update of some of their accomplishments from the 2014 season. In all, USC’s track and fi eld recruits won 14 individual state titles during the 2014 high school track season. MEN: Randall Cunningham of Gorman High in Las Vegas, Nev. is one of the top high school high jumpers, clearing a 2014 best of 7-2. He won the Nevada Division I high jump title again with a clearance of 6-11 and won the AAU Junior Olympics HJ title (2nd time) with a clearance of 7-0 (2.13m) in Des Moines, Ia. on July 30. He has a personal best of 7-3.25 (2.22m) set in 2013. He was named the 2013 Nevada Track & Field Gatorade Athlete of the Year. IN 2013 he also broke the Sunset Region high jump record which had stood for 36 years, the longest record in the regional books with a clearance of 7-0. Cunningham also played quarterback for the Gorman team which won its fi fth consecutive state title. In the state championship game Cunningham rushed for 213 yards with four touchdowns and completed 9 of 11 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. He received over 30 scholarship offers combined in the two sports and is the son of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham.

Andre De Grasse of Toronto, Canada via Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan. was fi rst in the 200m (20.38) and second in the 100m (10.15) at the 2014 NJCAA outdoor fi nals. Won the 60m (6.71) and the 200m (21.01) at the 2014 NJCAA indoor championships. He won the 2013 National Junior Colleges 100m title with a windy 9.96 time in the fi nals. He competed in the 100m and 200m dashes at the Canadian Track & Field Championships in Moncton, NB, Canada from June 27-29 and was second in the 100m with a time of 10.41 (-1.8), just edging Aaron Brown and placed fourth in the 200m with a time of 21.05 (-2.3).

Robert Ford of Claudia Taylor Johnson High in San Antonio, Texas fi nished fi fth in the USATF Junior Championships 800m fi nals with a season-best time of 1:50.04, which was the 10th-fastest 800m race by a U.S. high schooler in 2014. He placed second in the 800m at the Texas 5A championships with a time of 1:52.01. In 2013 he won the 800m race at the USATF World Youth trials with a time of 1:51.13 and went on to represent the U.S. at the World Youth Games in the Ukraine. He went on to place 23rd at the IAAF World Youth Games in Russia with a time of 1:53.61.

Ricky Morgan of Forest Park High in Woodbridge, Va. placed fi fth in the 400m fi nal at the USATF Junior Championships with a time of 46.71. That time was the fourth- fastest by a senior and seventh-fastest overall by a high school runner in 2014. He has a best 400m time of 46.67 run in 2013. At the 2014 Virginia HS 5A/6A group fi nals he was second in the 400m (48.06), fourth in the 200m (21.59) and second in the 100m (10.77). Morgan won the 400m race at the Caribbean Scholastic Invitational in Puerto Rico in the summer of 2013 with a time of 47.50.

Marquis Morris of De La Salle High in Concord, Calif. won the 2014 CIF 300m IH title with a time of 36.86 and took second in the 110m HH with a time of 13.68. That time was the fi fth-fastest by a high schooler in 2014. He won the 2013 CIF 110m HH title with a time of 13.90. Morris placed sixth in the men’s 110m HH fi nals with a time of 13.74 (+1.7) at the 2014 USATF Junior Championships. Morris is also a star wide receiver on the De La Salle football team which fi nished second in the state this season, following four-straight state titles.

Nick Ponzio, the 2013 California high school state champion in the shot put, attended Florida in 2014 but did not compete and will have four years of eligibility remaining. He has a best shot put of 69-7.25 which is third all-time by a California high school athlete and is the Southern Section record. Ponzio ranked fi rst in the country among high school shot putters in 2013 and went on to win the CIF state shot put title with a mark of 66-2.50. He also placed fourth at the state meet in the discus throw with throw of 184- 6. Ponzio owns a best discus throw of 187-8.50. He attended Great Oak High in Temecula, Calif. and was named the 2013 Press-Enterprise Boys Track Athlete of the Year.

Dominic Smallwood of Silverado High in Las Vegas, Nev. is a two-time Nevada state triple jump champion. He broke the Nevada Southern Zone record with a wind- legal triple jump of 50-1.00 in 2014, which ranked fi fth in the country among high school seniors. Smallwood won the 2014 Nevada state championship in the triple jump (48-1.50) and long jump (24-1.25w) and won the triple jump title in 2013 with a leap of 49-2.00. Smallwood placed seventh in 2013 at the USATF Junior Championships in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8.50. He also has a PR in the high jump of 6-7.50.

Jordon Wallin of Rocky Mountain High in Meridian, Id. won the 800m title with a time of 1:52.98 at the 2014 Idaho State Championships. He owns a PR of 1:51.85 in the 800m and took second place at the 2013 Idaho 5A State Championships with a time of 1:52. 95.

Adoree’ Jackson of Serra High in Gardena, Calif. had the second-farthest long jump by a high school athlete in 2014 of 25-5.25. He also has career bests of 10.68 in the 100m and 21.59 in the 200m. He ranked third in the country among high school long jumpers in 2013 and helped Serra win the 2013 CIF state championship while he placed second in the long jump at 24-7.50. He won the 2012 state long jump title at 20-0.5. He was named the 2012 Cal-Hi Sports California Sophomore Athlete of the Year and 2013 Cal-Hi Sports California Junior Athlete of the Year. Also a star receiver and defensive back on the football team and has stood out in the early goings for the USC football team. WOMEN: Gabriella Cantrell of San Leandro High in San Leandro, Calif. placed second in the 200m (23.85) and fi fth in the 100m (11.73) at the 2014 California State meet, after fi nishing third in both as a junior. She has a 200m PR of 23.77 and a 100m PR of 11.50w. She reached the 200m fi nals before a DQ at the 2014 USATF Junior Championships.

Jerayah Davis of Kelly Walsh High in Casper, Wy. is a three-time Gatorade Wyoming Girls Track Athlete of the Year as she won the 100m, 200m and long jump titles at the 2014 Wyoming Class 4A state meet, despite suffering a concussion 9 days before the meet. In 2013, she won the 100m, 200m (with a meet record time of 23.79) and the 400m (with a PR of 55.73) and placed second in the long jump at the state meet. She has a 100m PR of 11.63 and a long jump best of 19-4.

Kendall Ellis of St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. is a four-time Florida state 4A champion in the 400m dash, winning in 2014 with a PR of 52.95. Ellis’ 400m time ranked fourth in the country for high school women.

Dior Hall of George Washington High in Denver, Colo. had an outstanding senior campaign winning the Colorado 5A state title in the 100m HH (13.09) and placing second in the 100m dash (11.69). She went on to place second in the 100m HH at the IAAF World Youth Championships and set the U.S. high school record with a time of 12.92. She was named the 2014 Colorado Gatorade Girls Track Athlete of the Year, an award she also won as a freshman. Hall’s time was .41 seconds faster than the second-fastest high school hurdler in the country, while only .27 seconds separated No. 2-10 on the high school list in 2014.

Deanna Hill of Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, Fla. for the second straight season was the 2A Florida state 100m champion and second in the 200m dash. In 2013 she set PRs in both with a 11.63 100m and 23.65 200m times.

Madisen Richards of Simi Valley High in Simi Valley, Calif. was fi fth at the CIF State meet in the long jump with a leap of 19-5.50w. She has a legal PR of 19-7.50 set in placing third at the 2014 Mt. SAC Relays.

Madison Ricks of California High in San Ramon, Calif. has a 800m best of 2:09.52 and a 1600m PR of 4:59. She took seventh at the 2012 CIF state meet in the 800m as a sophomore with a time of 2:11.28, the only underclassman in the fi nals.

Ky Westbrook of Chandler High in Chandler, Ariz. in 2014 led her school to its ninth consecutive state Division I championship by winning four individual Arizona state titles, taking the crown in the 100m (11.69), 200m (24.33/-3.7w), 100m HH (14.17) and shot put (45-7.75). For her efforts she was named the Arizona Gatorade Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year. She owns a PR of 11.33 in the 100m dash which she set in winning at the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships in the Ukraine. She won both the 100m and 200m dashes at the USATF World Youth Trials respectively with times of 11.65 and a PR of 23.37. Her 2014 100m best time was 11.43 which ranks sixth among high schoolers. Set set that in placing fourth at the USATF Junior Championships. In 2013 Westbrook threw the shot 47-9 (14.55m) to set a state record in the event, breaking the mark which had stood since 1980. Westbrook’s father is former NFL fi rst-round draft pick, receiver Michael Westbrook. COLLATZ NAMED TO CAPITAL ONE NIETO JOINS USC T&F STAFF ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA THIRD TEAM Jamie Nieto has been named as the assistant coach in charge of jumps and multi-events for the USC Track & Field program it was USC junior discus thrower Alexandra Collatz was named to the announced by Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert on Aug. Capital One Academic All-America Third Team for her combined 20. Berry Shumpert, who served as USC’s jumps coach in 2014, performances athletically and in the classroom, it was announced returned to Tennessee to be closer to home. in June. The discus All-American Collatz has a “As a two-time Olympian and one of the top U.S. high jumpers for more than a decade, 3.52 GPA in Cognitive Science. The junior Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge and won the Pac-12 discus throw title with a experience to our program,” said Smith mark of 184-3 (56.17m) to become the Gilbert. “He has a dynamic personality fi rst Trojan woman to win the conference and is a great young leader and I believe title. Collatz went on to place eighth in the he will do special things with our jumps discus throw at the 2014 NCAA Track & and multi-events programs and help us Field Championships and become the fi rst win Conference and National Champion- Trojan female to earn All-America status ships..” twice in the event as she placed fi fth in Nieto is a two-time Olympian in the high 2013. jump and four-time U.S. champion in the event. He has a personal best of 7-8.00 Alexandra Collatz Collatz had a PR of 187-6 (57.15m) to (2.34m) which he achieved in placing win at the CS Los Angeles Invitational on fourth at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. March 8 and better her second-place standing on USC’s all-time Nieto also qualifi ed for the 2012 Olympic Jamie Nieto discus throw list. She is now less than two feet behind the school games in London where he placed sixth. He won the high jump title at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Cham- record of 189-5 set by Kate Hutchinson in 2006. pionships in 2003, 2004 and 2012 and won the title at the 2004 USA Indoor Championships. Collatz also placed 10th in the discus throw at the USA Track & Field Championships being held in Sacramento, Calif. on June Last season Nieto served as a volunteer assistant coach in the high 29. jump at UCLA and had four athletes score at the Pac-12 Champion- ships. Prior to that, he had served as the jumps coach at Southwestern College from 2011-12 under former Trojan great Tonie Campbell, where he helped lead Branden Greene to the California Community College high jump title. He also served as the jumps coach at La USC HAS 13 ATHLETES NAMED TO 2014 Jolla Country Day HS from 2012-13. PAC-12 T&F ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS “Jamie is a perfect person to carry on the traditions at USC,” said Campbell. “He comes with the highest pedigree and with the exuber- USC had 13 student-athletes named to the 2014 Pac-12 Track & ance to compete and to win. He is going to do amazing things with Field All-Academic teams led by fi rst-team selections of sopho- the athletes there and I only expect the highest caliber of efforts and more Jaide Stepter and senior Thea Weiss, it was announced by national championships from him. He is a perfect fi t to add on to the the conference today (June 19). amazing track and fi eld tradition at USC.” In the past two years Nieto has been working with some of the U.S.’s Stepter, the 2014 Pac-12 400m hurdles champion, was named top high jumpers, including 2012 Olympic silver medalist Brigetta to the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team as she sports a 3.86 GPA Barrett, as well as Darius Purcell, who had a PR of 7-5.25 to place in Communications with a minor in Animation and Digital Arts. second at the 2014 USATF Indoor Championships. He has also been Stepter went on to reach the 400m IH NCAA quarterfi nals this working with one of India’s top long jumpers Prem Kumar, helping season and ran in the NCAA semifi nals on USC’s All-American him to jump 26-8.25. Nieto himself has trained with some of the best 4x400m relay team. Stepter ranks fourth all-time on the USC Olympic coaches in the world, including Cliff Rovelto and Dan Pfaff. 400m IH list with a time of 56.99. Nieto brings over 15 years of world class experience and from 1998- 2013 ranked among the top 10 U.S. high jumpers. Not only was he The pole vaulter Weiss was named to the fi rst team for the third one of the top high jumpers in the world, but showed durability in a consecutive season. She posted a cumulative GPA of 3.95 in a career which lasted 20 years, beginning as a high school junior at double major of Neuroscience and English. Weiss completed her Valley High in Sacramento, Calif. Nieto began his collegiate career at USC athletic career ranked sixth all-time in the pole vault with a Sacramento City College and then transferred to Eastern Michigan. At EMU he set the school’s indoor (7-6) and outdoor high jump records clearance of 12-4.50 (3.77m). (7-4.50) and was a three-time All-American. The Trojans had one selection to the Pac-12 All-Academic Sec- ond Team in senior Doug Bogie who had a 3.47 GPA in Business Administration & Policy, Planning and Development.

The 10 Trojans named Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention were: sophomore Errin Baynes, junior Charity Bruce, junior Alex- andra Collatz, sophomore Lauren Grego, sophomore Felicia Hor- vath, junior BeeJay Lee, senior Ashley Liverpool, sophomore Will Robinson, junior Kira Soderstrom and sophomore Jenna Tong. ing fi fth in 2013, the Trojans posted their fi rst consecutive top fi ve “CSG ERA” OFF TO A GREAT START fi nishes at the NCAA Championship since the 1976-77 seasons. - By David Tuttle, USC Sports Information The USC women’s team’s fi nish was its highest since placing sixth in 2011. The Trojan women have now placed in the top 16 in Caryl Smith Gilbert took over the reigns of the USC Track & Field 16 of the last 19 seasons and the men have fi nished in the top 10 program a little over a year ago and it has been quite a calendar in 16 of the last 21 seasons. year. At the West Regional Aleec Harris set the Pac-12 110m hurdles Smith Gilbert’s leadership skills record with a time of 13.18 which was surpassed at the NCAA and successes did not go un- Championships. He then retook it during the summer with a time noticed as she was named the of 13.14 at the Run Track Town High Performance Meet. MPSF Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year, the West Region Wom- With a strong and deep recruiting class coming in this season, it en’s Indoor Coach of the Year would appear that the foundation for success has been laid down and West Region Women’s Out- quite nicely. door Coach of the Year.

The Trojan women’s team com- To keep up with all the action of the USC Track & Field peted indoors in the MPSF Con- team and with live updates from meets, follow the Trojans ference for the fi rst time and took on Twitter at @USC_Track_Field. home the team title. The Trojans accumulated 106 points over the two-day championship, 25 ahead of their closest competitor. TROJANS ADD 3 MORE TO 2014 CLASS! USC won fi ve of the eight events - USC Adds Brown, Krone & Manahan For The Coming Season - they competed in at Seattle, and took both fi rst and second in three. There was Davis’ double win in the 60m and 200m, along USC’s incoming class keeps getting better and better as the Trojans with Lauren Blackburn being victorious in the 60-meter hurdles, have added sophomore sprinter Destinee Brown, freshman middle Akawkaw Ndipagbor winning the 400-meter (school indoor re- distance runner David Manahan and senior high jumper Michael cord, and career-best, 52:63) and Oluwakemi Olonade taking Krone. With the addition of Manahan the 2014 CIF 800m champion, the triple jump. During the indoor season, USC’s women set the Trojan’ recruits now have combined to win 15 individual state high school titles last season. school records in the 400m, 3000m (Jenna Tong) and 4x400m. The men set school marks in the 60m and 200m (both by Aaron Brown transfers to USC from CS Fullerton where she was one of Brown) and the 60m HH (Aleec Harris). the Titans’ top sprinters during the 2014 season. She won the 100m dash at six meets, including running a PR of 11.64 to win at the Smith Gilbert led the USC men’s and women’s track and fi eld UC Riverside Invitational. She broke the CSUF school 60m indoor teams to second-place fi nishes at the 2014 Pac-12 Track & Field record with a time of 7.40 at the MPSF Indoor Championships to Championships in Pullman, Wash. on May 17-18. USC fi nished fi nish sixth. She was the L.A. City Section 100m and 200m dash with 12 conference titles at the Pac-12 Track & Field Champion- champion her senior season at Westchester High. ships, more than any other team including the winning Oregon squads. USC earned 12 titles and Oregon nine and no other Manahan from Harvard-Westlake HS won the 2014 CIF 800m title school had more than four champions. Aaron Brown was named with a PR of 1:51.04 and became the area’s fi rst champion since the Men’s Athlete of the Meet. Also, freshman Amalie Iuel be- 2007. In fact, he fi nished in the top two in nine of his 11 800m races came the fi rst Trojan to win the heptathlon since 1996 and Viktor as a senior. For his efforts, Manahan was named the 2014 Daily News All-Area Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Fajoyomi placed second and Jemal Williams sixth in the decath- lon. Krone comes to USC from Duke with one season of eligibility re- maining. He has a PR of 7-3.25 (2.23m) set in winning the ACC During the season USC posted 22 top 10 marks all-time by a high jump title in 2012. Krone placed 26th at the 2014 NCAA East Trojan individual or relay team. At the NCAA Championships, Preliminary Rounds with a clearance of 6-10.75 (2.10m). He was USC’s men tied for fourth and the women’s team tied for 16th. also a 2014 ACC All-Academic selection with a major in mechani- The men’s teams fi nish was its highest since 2003 and after tak- cal engineering.

MManahananahan headingheading toto CIFCIF 800m800m title.title. PhotoPhoto courtesycourtesy ofof KirbyKirby Lee.Lee. TIP-OFF LUNCHEON TO COME “OUT OF THE BLOCKS” ON DEC. 7

The USC Track & Field “Out of the Blocks” awards luncheon and 2015 season preview event will take place on Dec. 7 at the Town & Gown on the USC campus. A reception will begin at noon with the event slated to begin at 1 p.m. with a prom- ise of a shorter program from USC Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert! Among the day’s festivities will be the introduction of the 2015 team, awards presented to the 2014 team and the introduction of the Heritage Award winners.

Once again the price for a ticket is $80 per person and $800 for a table of 10. If you would like to be a Team Patron, the cost is $320 for two reservations and for two student-athlete lunches. To reserve any tickets or to make a donation to the Track & Field program, make checks out to USC and send to Jessica Dugaw, USC, Department of Intercollegiate Athlet- ics, 3501 Watt Way - HER 203A, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602. For further information call (213) 740-4164.

HOMECOMING SET FOR OCTOBER 18

A fast-growing and popular alumni event is the USC Track & Field homecoming get-together held on campus which this season will take place on Oct. 18, the day of the USC-Colorado football game.

Once again there will be catered food and a DJ, along with a chance to USC Track & Field alumni and friends to recon- nect with teammates and get to know the current student-athletes.

Last year there was roughly 200 people in attendance for the event held on campus prior to the Trojans’ victory over No. 5 Stanford. There will no doubt be Olympians in attendance, with last season’s group including Inger Miller, Felix Sanchez and Aaron Brown. LEGENDARY NCAA CHAMPION & ended after 97 remarkable years,” said former longtime USC track and fi eld head WWII HERO ZAMPERINI DIES coach Ron Allice. “I can think of no more famous Trojan than Louie, with his combi- Olympic distance runner Louis Zamperini, nation of athletic exploits and war heroics. a two-time NCAA mile champion from He was one of USC’s greatest ambassa- USC who gained international acclaim for dors and he never went anywhere with- his exploits during World War II, died on out wearing his USC hat. Even in his later July 2 in Los Angeles. He was 97. years, he stayed very connected with USC, giving inspirational talks to Trojan The American, USC and Olympic fl ags in teams and in USC classrooms. The fact front of USC’s Heritage Hall are fl ying at that he still is the only Trojan to win the half-staff on July 3 in honor of Zamperini’s NCAA outdoor mile championship, which passing. he did twice some 75 years ago, speaks volumes of his athletic ability. I know I will “Louis Zamperini was one of the great- miss him, as will so many others. He was Zamperini during a visit with the est Trojans of all time, as well as a true a great man.” USC track and fi eld team in 2013 American hero,” said USC athletic direc- tor Pat Haden. “He was the embodiment Said four-time USC Olympic gold medal- of the USC motto, `Fight On.’ All of us in ZAMPERINI STILL TOUCHING ist swimmer John Naber, a close associ- LIVES BY THE THOUSANDS the Trojan Family have a deep apprecia- ate of Zamperini: “Louis was very proud of tion for what he did for USC and for our being a Trojan. He happily wore his USC Zamperini’s life was celebrated at a pub- country, and we mourn the passing of this hat in public and private, and was quick to lic memorial at Zamperini Stadium in his American legend, this national treasure.” hug any fellow Trojan. During his remark- hometown of Torrance on July 31 with able athletic career as an Olympic run- thousands in attendance. His remarkable A 3-year letterman (1938-39-40) who co- ner, by his endurance on the life raft, and life and story will also be center stage at captained the 1940 Trojan squad and was with his resilience at the torturous hands the end of the 2014 calendar year when a member of three NCAA championship of `The Bird’ during World War II, Louis’ the movie Unbroken, directed by Angelina teams, Zamperini was the NCAA cham- life exemplifi ed USC’s `Fight On’ spirit. Jolie based on the 2010 non-fi ction book pion in the mile run in 1938 and 1939. The Amazingly, his impact on other people by Laura Hillenbrand, will be released on collegiate mile record (4:08.3) that he set continued as he grew older. His example lasted for 15 years. Dec. 25. The role of Louis “Louie” Zam- inspired thousands to be better people, perini will be played by Jack O’Connell. myself included.” He placed eighth in the 5,000-meter run Then on New Year’s Day, Zamperini’s at the 1936 Olympics, while a teenager at memory will be honored as the 2015 Torrance (Calif.) High. He had set the na- Grand Marshall of the Rose Parade. Said tional prep mile record (4:21.2) in 1934, a Tournament of Roses President Richard mark that stood for 20 years. L. Chinen, “Louis Zamperini was and will continue to be the embodiment of the A bombardier in the Army Air Corps during 2015 Tournament of Roses theme ’Inspir- World War II, he was lost at sea, spend- ing Stories.’ As we mourn the passing of a ing 47 days adrift and then two-and-a-half member of the Tournament of Roses fam- years as a prisoner of war in Japan, en- during hunger and torture before being ily, one who was moved to be asked to rescued. His story was chronicled in au- serve as Grand Marshal, we are honored thor Laura Hillenbrand’s award-winning to shine the light on one who truly lived and best-selling biography, “Unbroken: A a life of unconditional love, courageous World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, Zamperini recently was named the Grand perseverance and patient endurance. He and Redemption.” The book has been Marshal of the upcoming 2015 Rose Pa- shared with us that his faith in God was his made into a movie, directed by Angelina rade. inspiration to be content in plenty and in Jolie, and it will be released in December. want. At this time, we pray that Louis’ fam- He was inducted into the USC Athletic ily and friends may fi nd strength knowing Hall of Fame in 1999. He received the that the story of Louis’ journey will inspire prestigious NCAA Inspiration Award in the world.” 2011.

The entrance to USC’s Loker Stadium track and fi eld facility is called Louis Zam- perini Plaza (it was dedicated in 2004), and features a water fountain with photos highlighting Zamperini’s career and fi ve obelisks acknowledging USC’s track and fi eld Olympians and NCAA champions.

Zamperini established his Victory Boys Camp to inspire local youth to emulate his Zamperini also co-wrote two autobiogra- life. phies, both titled “Devil at My Heels,” in 1956 and 2003. Zamperini is survived by his son, Luke, and his daughter, Cynthia Garris, and “Today is a sad day at USC, knowing that a grandchild. His wife, Cynthia, died in the wonderful life of Louis Zamperini has 2001. 14th Annual USC Trojan Force Track & Field Golf Tournament October 9, 2014 at Trump National Golf Club Platinum Golf Patron $4,000.00 3 foursomes, 4 USC football homecoming tickets, tee & green sponsor sign, recognition at awards dinner and on dinner program Gold Golf Sponsor $2,500.00 2 foursomes, tee sponsor sign, recognition at awards dinner and on dinner program SIlver Golf Sponsor $1,100.00 1 foursome, tee sponsor sign, recognition at awards dinner and on dinner program Bronze Golf Sponsor $650.00 2 players, tee sponsor, recognition at awards dinner and on dinner program Tee & Green Sponsor $250.00 Signage with your name or company on a tee & green and recognition on dinner program Tee Sponsor $200.00 Signage with your name or company on a tee and recognition on dinner program *Sign up by September 1, 2014 for discounted rate of $225 per player After September 1st, rate is $250 per player First Name: For Check Payments: Last Name: Credit Card Number: CVC: Expiration Date: Make Checks Payable to “TROJAN FORCE” Payment Type: and mail this form to: VISA MASTERCARD DISCOVER Trojan Force Billing Address Line 1: Billing Address line 2: (Optional): 1722 Westwood Blvd. Ste # 103 City: State: Zip Code: Los Angeles, CA 90024 Tax ID# 46-4943223

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Please note: The start date for your one-year membership will begin once yourDetach first payment and Mail is received. to: This membership will renew annually unless we receive a cancellation notice from you. Coach Caryl Smith Gilbert: Track & Field USC Heritage Hall - 203A Mail to: Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602 Trojan Force 1722 Westwood Blvd. #103 Los Angeles, CA 90024 CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW JACKIE DION EMBRACES SERVICE

USC’s young cross country team under the leadership of second-year head Each May, as friends and family members visit USC's campus in support coach David Freeman will have a new look, but still will be anchored by of another accomplished graduating class, the Trojan Athletic Parents As- senior Erica Capellino and junior Jenna Tong. sociation (TAPA) honors an athlete who brings a special sense of pride to the commencement ceremony. The TAPA Community Service Award Capellino has been key for the program since she walked on campus as recognizes an athlete who's extra-curricular involvement has shaped an a freshman four years ago. She suffered a stress fracture at the end of impressive career. But often, this volunteer work extends beyond the four the 2013 cross country season which caused her to miss the NCAA West years of athletic eligibility to a lifetime of service. Regional and the entire 2014 track and fi eld season, but she has trained This year, Jackie Dion of Track & Field garnered the honor for her tireless hard during the summer and looks to make her senior season a special dedication to the local community. A consistent volunteer at the TAPA Com- one. During her junior campaign she set a 5K PR in placing seventh at the munity Bowl, a Day in Troy, and a range of other outreach activities, Dion Highlander Invitational with a time of 17:40.8 and won the USC-UCLA Dual embraced the opportunity to give back. Meet with a season-best 6K time of 21:47.36. She also led the Trojans at the Pac-12 Championships, fi nishing 46th with a time of 23:19. "USC has given so much to me, so it was important to me to give back to our community," said Dion, who graduated with honors and as a Pac-12 All- Tong is the other part of the Trojans’ dynamic duo. The junior has made Academic Team member. "Service helped me grow as a person, because great strides each season and it will be exciting to see if she can step up I now realize how much of an impact just one individual can have in the community." to the next level this season. She has been one of USC’s top three fi nish- ers every meet of her career and last season led the Trojans twice, at the NCAA Inter-Regional Jamboree and at the Highlander Invitational. She set a 5K PR of 17:33.2 at the Highlander Invitational and a 6K PR of 21:41 as USC’s lone representative at the NCAA West Regional. She also placed second to Capellino at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet to make it a 1-2 fi nish for the Trojans over the Bruins.

Senior Kira Soderstrom was the Trojans third fi nisher at the Pac-12 Cham- pionships and set a 5K PR of 18:34.4 at the Highlander Invitational. She came on strong at the end of the season and throughout the track season and looks to parlay that into increased results this season.

The rest of the squad includes returners Katerina Berdousi, Nicole Davies, Lauren Grego, Alyssa Reardon and Natasha Strickland and a strong core of newcomers including junior transfer Reika Kijima and freshmen Amber Bragdon, Kimberly Groff, Emma Kao, Jessica Lesser, Mackensie Peace and Madison Ricks. The goal this season is to start to form a strong foun- dation to build on for the future, as the cross country team did not have any As a runner with impressive bests at the 400 and 800 meter distances, Dion recruits for the 2013 season when Freeman arrived. has become accustom to evaluation based on time. But her zeal for service cannot be expressed by the clock alone, though her more than 20 volunteer 2014 USC XC Schedule hours each season wouldn't fail to impress. • Aug. 30 at Mark Covert Classic (Brea, Calif.) • Sept. 20 at The Mustang Challenge (Santa Clarita, Calif. Dion dedicated her studies to helping others as well. A Gerontology major, • Sept. 27 at Stanford Invite (Palo Alto, Calif.) • Oct. 9 at USC-UCLA Dual Meet (Rose Bowl) she plans to begin a career aiding the elderly after volunteer experience at • Oct. 18 at Highlander Invitational (Riverside) Meals-on-Wheels and similar organizations. • Oct. 31 at Pac-12 Championships (Berkeley, Calif.) • Nov. 14 at NCAA West Regional (Palo Alto, Calif.) "Before coming to USC, I had no idea that one person could make such a • Nov. 22 at NCAA Championships (Terre Haute, Ind.) big difference," said Dion. "Fortunately, this school provided me with the opportunities to help others and grow from those experiences."

A Southern California native, Dion experienced a unique connection with neighborhood residents. When looking back on her experiences, her in- volvement with the mentor-based Girls PLAY program stands out.

"Girls PLAY made me realize that the kids in neighboring communities re- ally look up to Trojan athletes and hope to be like them one day," said Dion. "I was proud to be able to represent USC in that way and hopefully inspire the youth to pursue higher education."

As she hangs up the track spikes, Dion plans to continue her service. This summer, she will work for a website called Stitch which aides older adults as they combat loneliness. Next semester, she will pursue a Masters in Aging Services Management at USC's Davis School of Gerontology and focus in Gerontechnology, a fi eld that uses today's technology to help ease the aging process.

TAPA is proud to honor an athlete whose community work will not end with her last race, but carry on to greater distances as she enters the world.

Erica Capellino (R) and Jenna Tong return to lead the revamped Trojan squad. The dynamic duo is show here following their 1-2 fi nish at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet dia in 1988 and 1994. He also authored or co-authored (with his USC FORMER USC T&F COACH BULLARD PASSES assistant coach Larry Knuth) four track and fi eld books that were in- - Represented USC As Both Athlete and Coach - ternationally reviewed and acclaimed “without reservation.” The Triple Jump Encyclopedia book (co-authored with Knuth) is in 1200 libraries, Ernie Bullard, a one-time USC pole vault- including the prestigious Huntington Library and is still considered one er who was the head coach of the Trojan of the most extensive American books on a fi eld event. men’s track and fi eld program for six years in the late 1980s following a long career at Services for Bullard are pending. He is survived by his son, Denton, San Jose State, died today (Thursday, Aug. and daughter, Kari, along with several grandchildren. 21) in Stockton, Calif., at age 77 from com- plications following a series of strokes and heart attacks during the past year. USC JAVELIN SPECIALIST SBORDONE DIES Bullard coached at USC from 1985 through - Competed At USC From 1959-61 - 1990, fi nishing ninth at the NCAA meet in 1986 and 11th in 1989. Among the Trojan Former Trojan javelin thrower and one of America’s foremost experts athletes he coached were Quincy Watts, who went on to win a pair of on neuropsychology Dr. Robert J. Sbordone passed away at the age gold medals at the 1992 Olympics, and 1989 NCAA 110-meter high of 74 on Aug. 3 in Mission Viejo, Calif. hurdles champion Robert Reading. During Bullard’s tenure as head coach, nine varsity, freshman and relay records were set by Trojan ath- Sbordone, born in Boston, Mass, came letes. to USC in 1957 from Boston English High School after he turned down a scholarship “Ernie was not only a great coach and recruiter who produced world to Harvard. He was on the USC track team class student-athletes, he was a pioneer and an innovator for the sport from 1959-61, placing 6th as a junior and of track and fi eld,” said current USC Director of Track and Field Ca- 4th as a senior in the javelin at the NCAA ryl Smith Gilbert. “He also helped create our donor support group, the Championships. He was an alternate on Trojan Force, which was among the fi rst of its kind in the sport. Coach the 1964 U.S. Olympic team and ranked Bullard will always remain as one of the greatest Trojans and he will be in the U.S. top 10 in the javelin in 1964-66 missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bullard family during and 1968. Sbordone was elected into the this time.” Massachusetts’ State Track Association Athlete Hall of Fame in 2009. Said Watts: “Coach Bullard was a great man and a loving person. I am forever thankful to him for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the He obtained his bachelor’s degree from USC and obtained his doctor- Trojan Family. It is a sad day for me. He will truly be missed by me and ate in psychology from UCLA. After completing his doctorate he was by so many others.” awarded a two year postdoctoral fellowship from the National Institute of Mental Health to study Neuropsychology at the UCLA Brain Re- “Ernie Bullard was a real credit to our profession,” said Ron Allice, who search & Neuropsychiatric Institutes. After completing this fellowship, became USC’s head coach 5 years after Bullard left Troy and held he joined the staff of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric & Brain Research that role from 1995 through 2013. “He was an exceptional coach and Institutes where he evaluated patients suspected of having Alzheimer’s outstanding competitor, but at the same time he was a truly good guy. disease and brain disorders, investigated pathological aggression and He remained extremely interested in the Trojan track and fi eld program performed research on .patients with Alzheimer’s disease. after he left, and he was very supportive of me when I was the USC head coach.” Sbordone taught in the UCLA psychology department, the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, Long Beach VA hospital, California State Bullard came to USC after spending 14 seasons (1971-84) as San University at Los Angeles, and the Fielding Institute’s Postgraduate Jose State’s head coach, where he won nearly 80% of his dual meets Neuropsychology program. He left UCLA to become an assistant pro- (84-22), with 6 of his teams fi nishing in the Top 10 in the national dual fessor at the University of California at Irvine College of Medicine. meet rankings and 7 squads winning conference titles. He coached 4 NCAA individual champions at San Jose State--triple jumper Ron Liv- After he left the full-time faculty to enter private practice, he was ap- ers, high hurdler Dedy Cooper, javelin thrower Curt Ransford and pole pointed clinical assistant professor in the Physical Medicine and Neu- vaulter Felix Bohni--and 2 world record holders (discus thrower John rosurgery departments at UCI Medical School which allowed him to Powell and pole vaulter Dan Ripley). continue teaching and researching. Prior to that, Bullard was an assistant at San Jose State for 2 years (1969-70), including on the Spartans’ 1969 NCAA championship squad. He served on numerous distinguished boards and authored over 120 publications and chapters in widely read textbooks. He also was an He also was a successful junior college head coach at Mesa (Ariz.) international lecturer, speaking at conferences and symposiums all Community College (1967-68) and Orange Coast College in Costa around the world. He also served in the U.S. Air Force and worked in Mesa, Calif. (1964-66). His 1968 Mesa team won the national JC meet the Middle East for the U.S. State Department. (he was the national JC Coach of the Year) after placing second in 1967. Dr. Sbordone was recently nominated to receive the outstanding life- time achievement award from the National Academy of Neuropsychol- He also coached in the high school ranks in the Phoenix (Ariz.) area in ogy for his numerous professional achievements during the past 38 the early 1960s. years. He was also interested in science fi ction since he was a child and in 2013 published a science fi ction novel (Client from the Future) Bullard was a standout pole vaulter, winning the Arizona state title in which was published by Xlibris Press and is being adapted into a movie 1954 at North Phoenix High and the national JC title in 1956 at Phoe- script. nix College before competing in the event for the Trojans, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1959. He is survived by his brother Richard Sbordone of Boston, Massachu- setts, and Daytona Beach, Florida, cousins and many friends through- Bullard was a member of the USOC Development Committee for the out the United States. discus for eight years. He also conducted track and fi eld clinics in In- IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

Aug. 15 First Day of XC Practice Loker Stadium Sept. 15 First Day Of Practice Loker Stadium Oct. 9 14th Annual T&F Golf Tournament Trump National Golf Club Oct. 18 Homecoming/Reunion Weekend L.A. Coliseum (USC vs. Colorado) Dec. 7 Out of the Blocks Banquet Town and Gown

INDOOR SCHEDULE

Jan. 17 Washington Indoor Preview Seattle, Wash. Jan. 23-24 Rod McCravy Invitational Lexington, Kent. Feb. 6-7 Frank Sevigne Invitational Lincoln, Neb. Feb. 13-14 Don Kirby Elite Meet Albuquerque, N.M. Feb. 27-28 MPSF Indoor Championships Seattle, Wash. March. 13-14 NCAA Indoor Championships Fayetteville, Ark.

OUTDOOR SCHEDULE

Feb. 28 Rossi Relays Claremont, Calif. March 6-7 CS Los Angeles Invitational Los Angeles, Calif. March 13-14 Ben Brown Invitational Fullerton, Calif. March 20-21 Trojan Invitational Loker Stadium April 3-4 Florida Relays Gainesville, Fla. April 3-4 Stanford Invitational Palo Alto, Calif. April 3-4 Cal-Nevada Championships San Diego, Calif. April 11 Jim Click Shootout Tucson, Ariz. April 16-18 Mt. SAC Relays Walnut, Calif. April 18 Beach Invitational Norwalk, Calif. April 24-25 Triton Invitational San Diego, Calif. May 1-2 USC-UCLA Dual Meet Loker Stadium May 9-10 Pac-12 Multi-Events Championships Westwood, Calif. May 16-17 Pac-12 Championships Westwood, Calif. May 28-30 NCAA Preliminary Rounds Austin, Texas June 10-13 NCAA Championships Eugene, Ore.

SPONSORS NEEDED... The USC track and fi eld program is searching for sponsors for the awards Trojan track and fi eld fans who would like to be added at the Out of the Blocks Banquet to be held on Dec. 7 at Town and Gown. to the Trojan Force e-mail list should send their e-mail Sponsors will be helping keep the awards program going and will have their addresses to: [email protected]. names recognized in the Out of the Blocks program. Also, there is a need for a sponsor to upgrade and preserve the amazing historical items in the Hall of Fame Room in the USC track and fi eld offi ce.