Saturday, February 15
Clemson, S.C.
TBA
USC
vs
Tiger Paw Invitational (Indoors)
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Jumps/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distances
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Gerald PR’s For 2nd In HJ, Ojora 3rd in TJ & Carter 3rd in 200m At Tiger Paw Invitational
February 15, 2025 | Track & Field
Trojans make key movements up NCAA Indoor Championships qualifying list
Elias Gerald placed second in the men's high jump, Temi Ojora finished third in the women's triple jump and Jassani Carter took third in the women's 200m to highlight USC's efforts during the final day of the Tiger Paw Invitational held at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex in Clemson, S.C. today (Feb. 15). Also today, Nathan Cumberbatch finished eighth among collegians in the 800m race at the Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash.
"Our athletes at the Tiger Paw Invitational knew it was a very respected meet and they responded by doing really well the past two days," said USC Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Quincy Watts. "Starting yesterday with Johnny Brackins Jr. in the 60m hurdles, he continues to lead the NCAA and broke his school record. I am looking forward to his continued success at the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Indoor Championships.
"Among the people who stood out was Temi Ojora in her first competition, had her best start ever. It was really good to see that. Madison Whyte had a PR in the 400m and the women's 4x400m relay cracked the top six in the country. Also, Elias Gerald had a huge breakthrough today. I am so proud of him. This will give him confidence going into the Big Ten Championships."
"Our athletes at the Tiger Paw Invitational knew it was a very respected meet and they responded by doing really well the past two days," said USC Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Quincy Watts. "Starting yesterday with Johnny Brackins Jr. in the 60m hurdles, he continues to lead the NCAA and broke his school record. I am looking forward to his continued success at the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Indoor Championships.
"Among the people who stood out was Temi Ojora in her first competition, had her best start ever. It was really good to see that. Madison Whyte had a PR in the 400m and the women's 4x400m relay cracked the top six in the country. Also, Elias Gerald had a huge breakthrough today. I am so proud of him. This will give him confidence going into the Big Ten Championships."
- The junior Gerald placed second in the men's high jump with a clearance of 7-3.25 (2.22m). He moved from fifth to fourth on USC's all-time indoor high jump list and to tied for fifth on the 2025 NCAA descending order list. Grad transfer Brady Palen had a clearance of 6-11 (2.11) to place seventh.
- The grad student Ojora made her 2025 indoor debut and had a best triple jump of 44-6.25 (13.57m) to place third in the women's invitational triple jump, second among collegians at the meet. Ojora moved to fourth on the 2025 NCAA descending order list.
- Junior Jassani Carter placed third in the women's 200m race with a PR of 22.93. Her time moved her from 11th to tied for 8th on USC's all-time list in the event. She also moved into 10th on the 2025 NCAA descending order list. Junior Dajaz DeFrand took seventh with a time of 23.30.
- USC's men's 4x400m relay team of junior William Jones, sophomore Jacob Andrews, junior transfer Garrett Kaalund (first meet as a Trojan) and sophomore Yougendy Mauricette ran a time of 3:04.65 to place third. The quartet moved into sixth on USC's all-time indoor list in the event. USC's adjusted time of 3:04.01 (3:03.57) at the Collegiate Classic on Feb. 8 is already tied for the third-fastest school this season.
- The Trojan women's 4x400m relay team of Yemi John, Madison Whyte, Jassani Carter and Christine M. Mallard had a season-best time of 3:30.06 to place fifth, fourth among the college teams. USC moved to sixth on the 2025 NCAA descending order list.
- Freshman Falyn Lott got the day started at 9 a.m. ET for the Trojans when she tied for sixth in the women's high jump with a clearance of 5-5.25 (1.66m).
- Sophomore Nathan Cumberbatch finished ninth overall (8th among the collegians) in the men's 800m race with a season-best time of 1:48.82.
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