University Southern California Trojans
Garrett Kaalund Remains Grounded Amid Historic Achievements
April 02, 2026 | Track & Field, Features
When Garrett Kaalund crossed the finish line in the 200m NCAA Indoor Championship race and saw 19.95 flash on the clock, everything changed. He didn't celebrate. He didn't even smile right away. He simply stared at the time and let it sink in.
I really did that, Kaalund said. It wasn't like I believed I was going to run 19. People kept saying it, but I didn't believe it until I saw the time.
With his historic 19.95-second run, Kaalund became the first collegiate man ever to break 20 seconds indoors in the 200m, setting a new NCAA and American record. The performance also stood as the second-fastest indoor time in world history, just .03 seconds shy of Frank Fredricks' 1996 world record.
For Kaalund, the moment registered as less about shock and more about validation. After years of quietly grinding, moving states and learning to trust his own pace, the result felt like the natural outcome of patience and persistence. Now, the American studies major chases the next milestone in Los Angeles driven by family and faith.
FROM TEXAS ROOTS TO THE NATIONAL STAGE
Born in Atlanta and raised in San Antonio, Kaalund's path to the national title wasn't paved with early hype or dozens of offers. He received two offers, UTSA and Nebraska, and took the opportunity to leave Texas by accepting Coach Brenton Emanuel's offer at Nebraska.
Nebraska gave him his first real taste of high-level collegiate track. It also gave him perspective.
At Nebraska, my start was bad. I thought it was fire at the time, but looking back, it was horrible, horrendous, Kaalund said.
Even then, his speed was undeniable. He ran 20.25 in the 200m, earned silver at the Pan-American U20 Championships and helped Nebraska's relays post some of the fastest times in program history. When the opportunity came to transfer to USC, he took it—knowing the program's sprint tradition could help him reach another level.
FINDING HIS STRIDE AT USC
The transition to what eventually became the 2025 Indoor and Outdoor NCAA Championship team wasn't perfect to start. Kaalund couldn't train for two weeks during the transfer process and had only three weeks of practice before he joined the 4x400m relay.
Regardless, the environment was exactly what he needed. Surrounded by sprinters running world-class times, he realized just how fast he could be.
The biggest shift came with coaching. Coach Emanuel, or Coach E as he's known to his athletes, helped Kaalund identify challenges with his start. The two work closely, breaking down film of a 20-second race sometimes over a period of 40 minutes, to clean the small details of Kaalund's race.
One day, his start just clicked. Him and Coach E were able to build off of what he learned from his start and grow with it. That technical breakthrough, combined with his 400m background, made him dangerous in the 200m.
Having the 400m background prepares you for a 200m better than if you're just a 100m runner, Kaalund said. My real good speed comes right at the 100-meter mark, so I'm trying to get that sooner.
By indoor season, everything aligned and each race sharpened him. He ran from 20.12, to 20.06 and eventually to a national title. When he finally ran 19.95, his celebration was understated by design.
That was probably the most you'll ever get, Kaalund said.
A QUIET COMPETITOR WITH BIG GOALS
Kaalund prefers to let his times do the talking. In the world of track, where competitors like to talk up their performances ahead of time, Kaalund remains grounded about staying just the way he is.
I want to be in that group of people who don't really talk much but they still produce, Kaalund said.
He's clear about what motivates him: his mother and a desire to maximize his potential.
My mom is my biggest supporter, Kaalund said. The love I have for her is immeasurable. You can't describe it. She made sacrifices to get me to where I'm at, and in turn, now it's time for me to use what I've gained from track to help her.
His goals are ambitious but grounded. He wants to run under 10 seconds in the 100m, under 20 seconds in the 200m and under 44 seconds in the 400m. He won't talk about winning gold medals until he hits those goals first.
Even as his profile grows, he keeps his world simple: practice, compete, go home to his cat, Zelda, and rest.
THE FUTURE: LA AND BEYOND
Kaalund plans to stay in Los Angeles after college to continue training. He's already thinking about the next Olympics especially with LA28 happening in his backyard. Seeking even faster times, Kaalund reflects on how far he's come and how much further he could go.
I want to be the greatest I can possibly be, Kaalund said. I gotta keep going.
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