USC Track and Field Returns to Eugene for NCAA Championships

Wednesday, June 10

Eugene, Ore.

USC

NCAA Outdoor Championships

Dajaz DeFrand qualifies for NCAA Championships in the 200m

USC Track and Field Returns to Eugene for NCAA Championships

June 08, 2026 | Track & Field

The Trojans hold 25 total entries across 10 men's and eight women's events

EUGENE, Ore. - The USC track and field team will look to defend their men's outdoor national title and improve upon their women's national runner-up finish from last season as they prepare for NCAA Championships starting Wednesday at Hayward Field.

Nine Trojan men and Nine Women of Troy, along with all four relay teams, will look to score points toward the team total starting with prelims on Wednesday for men and Thursday for the women.

TROJANS TO WATCH
In the women's 100m, Brianna Selby leads the field with her school-record time of 10.83. The Trojans have three runners entered in the women's 200m with Dajaz DeFrand leading the way at the No. 5 spot. Madison Whyte is the No. 4 seed in the women's 400m. The women's 4x100m relay team will be a top contender for a title after holding an NCAA lead most of the season. On the field side, Ashley Erasmus will be one to watch at shot put after breaking her own school record at regionals with a throw of 18.30m.

On the men's side, Edward Nketia is doubled up in the 100m and 200m. Freshman Jack Stadlman is the West Region champion in the 400m, slotting in the USC top 10 all-time with a time of 44.79. On the throws side, Racquil Broderick, Mico Lampinen and Vincent Ugwoke at discus and Mico Lampinen and Max Lampinen at hammer throw will round out a strong showing for the Trojan men.

SEASON RECAP
The team started the season by hosting the Ron and Sharlene Allice Trojan Invitational, winning 18 events. The women's 4x100m relay secured the world and NCAA lead, Oluwatosin Awoleye ran a time of 4:21.16 in the 1500m slot in at No. 7 in the USC all-time list, and Jada Foreman started her senior season with the No. 9 mark in USC history at 13.14m.

At the LSU Battle on the Bayou, Oluwatosin Awoleye had a dominant 800m debut, placing second and setting a new USC freshman record in a time of 2:02.12. At the Pacific Coast Invitational, Ashley Erasmus broke her shot put school record, set last year, with a new mark of 18.07m (59-3.5) on her way to a win.

The most impressive meet of the season came at Mt. SAC Relays. The team shattered two school records within an hour in the women's 4x100m relay and Madison Whyte in women's 400m. Garrett Kaalund opened his outdoor season, notching an NCAA-leading time of 20.10 on the way to a win. Additionally, Edward Nketia and Kaalund set the No. 2 and No. 3 times in the NCAA this season in the 100m, respectively. The Trojans hosted UCLA to close out the regular season, splitting the win with the crosstown rival. The Women of Troy won their side with a score of 93-69 while the men fell to the Bruins, 87-76.

The Trojans competed at Big Ten Championships to start the postseason, bringing home nine gold medals. The women claimed third place with Madison Whyte at the helm with wins in the 4x100m relay, 200m, 400m and 4x400m relay. On the men's side, Edward Nketia secured two of the men's four Big Ten titles, winning the 100m and 200m.

2025 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
At the NCAA Outdoor Championships, the women placed second overall, securing national titles in the 100m and the 4x100m relay. The men won the NCAA team championship with 41 total points, adding to their indoor team title within the same season.

FOLLOW ALONG
The Trojans will debut at NCAA Championships on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with men's hammer throw. A full schedule can be found at usctrojans.com. Live updates will be available on Instagram and X @usc_track_field with streaming available on ESPN+.