Track & Field
- Title:
- Volunteer Assistant
Former Trojan hurdler Ryan Wilson enters his third season as USC's volunteer assistant men's and women's hurdling coach for a program that has been among USC track and field's most successful.
Last season he along with Loreal Smith helped guide the USC hurdlers to three Pac-12 titles. Aleec Harris went on to set the Pac-12 and USC record in the 110m HH and place second at the NCAA Championships.
In 2013, he helped guide Reggie Wyatt to the NCAA 400m IH title, Aleec Harris to the 110m HH semifinals round and Lauren Blackburn and Melia Cox to the 100m HH semifinals at the NCAAs. In addition, Wyatt won the Pac-12 title with a stadium-record time of 49.17, then set a PR of 48.58 at the NCAA Championships to move into third place on USC's all-time 400m IH list.
Wilson, out of Westerville, Ohio, ran for the Trojans from 1999 to 2003 and became one of the most decorated Trojan hurdlers in program history. Wilson took home first with a personal best of 13.35 at the 2003 NCAA Championships in the 110m HH, and was named Pac-10 Track and Field Male Athlete for his performance. He also won the Pac-10 Title in 400-meter hurdles that year. Wilson finished as a three-time All-American in the 110m HH, and also competed in the long jump during his time at USC. His time of 13.35 in the 110m HH still ranks third all-time by a Trojan male hurdler.
Wilson's hurdling career is still going strong, placing second at the 2014 USA T&F Championships in the 110m HH after winning the title in 2013 with a time of 13.08. He went on to win the silver medal at the 2013 IAAF World Track and Field Championships with a time of 13.13. He has seven wins on the professional circuit in the 110-meter high hurdles. His personal best of 13.02 seconds, ran at the 2007 Reebok Grand Prix, is the 18th-fastest time in the history in the event.
In 2012, Wilson finished 5th in the IAAF points standings for 110m hurdlers, including a win at the Ponce Grand Prix in May. In addition, Wilson ran at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 110m hurdles, finishing in 7th. He also set the Drake Relays meet record for 110m hurdles with a posting of 13.20 seconds in April.
Wilson dealt with injuries throughout the 2011 season, but won his first event of the season, the Golden Grand Prix Kawasaki. Wilson tied his highest ever finish in 2010, finishing 4th in the world in points, including a win at the prestigious ISTAF Berlin meet. Wilson finished 6th in 2008 and 12th in 2009, winning the Grande Premio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo in May 2009.
2007 was a season to remember for Wilson, as he won both the Thales-FBK Games and the Norwich Union London Grand Prix. Wilson finished third at the Reebox Grand Prix, but etched his name into the record books with his 13.02-second time, one of 20 fastest runs in 110m HH history.
Wilson turned professional in 2004, and finished third place at the 2006 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships by setting a then-personal best at 13.22 seconds. He finished his 2006 season on a high note with his first professional victory at the DécaNation event in France.
