Ojora And Gerald Highlight USC’s Strong First Day At The Florida Relays

Track & Field | March 31, 2023

Temi Ojora keyed a 1-2-3 sweep in the women’s long jump and Elias Gerald won the men’s high jump to lead the Trojans at the Florida Relays held at Percy Beard Track and James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. today (March 31).   

• Ojora, Dominque Ruotolo and Allie Jones made it a 1-2-3 finish in the women’s long jump.  Ojora won with a PR of 20-10.75/6.37 (+0.0) which moves her into tied for 10^th on USC’s all-time list and currently ranks eighth in the country.  Ruotolo placed second with a best jump of 20-2.50/6.16 (+0.0) and Jones was third with a PR of 20-2.25/6.15 (+0.0).  All three jumpers currently rank within the top 24 in the country.
• Elias Gerald won the men’s high jump with a best clearance of 6-9.00 (2.06m).  He cleared that height in his first attempt to secure the win.
• Johnny Brackins Jr. finished second in the men’s invite long jump with best jump of 26-1.50/7.96 (+0.0).  JC Stevenson took third in the event with a PR of 26-0.75/7.94m (+0.0).  Stevenson’s jump also moved him to ninth on USC’s all-time list.
• Caisja Chandler took second in the women’s 200m dash with a time of 22.82 (-0.5), her first outdoor 200m race this season and her best since the 2021 NCAA East Regional.   Jassani Carter placed seventh with a PR of 23.31 (+1.7).
• Jasmine Jones placed third in the women’s 400m hurdles, second among collegians, with a personal-best time of 56.17, which bettered her seventh-place standing on USC’s all-time list.
• The men’s 4x100m relay team of Ashton Allen, Johnnie Blockburger, Chris Borzor and Matthew Okonkwo advanced third to tomorrow’s final with a time of 39.58.
• Nikolaos Polychroniou placed fourth in the men’s hammer throw with a mark of 220-4 (67.16m) and Christian Johnson in his first outing of the season posted a best mark of 215.4 (65.63m) to place sixth.
• The women’s 4x100m relay team of Carter, Chandler, Jasmine Jones and Samirah Moody qualified seventh to tomorrow’s final with a season-best time of 44.48.
• Karlee Freeman placed seventh in the women’s invite discus throw competition with a best toss of 170-10 (52.08m).
• Summer Mosley placed ninth in the women’s hammer throw with a best mark of 183-8 (55.98m).

USC will conclude action at the Florida Relays tomorrow starting at 9 a.m. PT with the women’s 100m…