Getting To Know Gavin Champ

Track & Field | October 30, 2023

The latest “Getting To Know” features TCU transfer and sophomore jumper Gavin Champ. He reached the 2023 NCAA West Preliminary Rounds in the triple jump as a freshman. Champ discusses his transition from Texas to California in pursuit of a national championship, disclosing his long-term track & field and career aspirations along with the driving force behind his goals.
 
Q: I know that you’re studying biology looking to get into dentistry so, what made you interested in this specific field?
 
GC: I think the biggest thing that got me into dentistry is my aunt back home works at a dental office, so I was always up there all the time. Also, a very close family friend, she’s the one that owns that dentistry office. I was always learning more about healthcare studies and just dentistry in general. I mean, my mom’s a phlebotomist, so she works in the hospital. I’ve gotten both aspects of it. And I think dentistry just kind of matches how I foresee myself in the future.
 
Q: What made you want to transfer to USC?
 
GC: I was really drawn to the winning culture here at USC. Another thing that attracted me to USC was the education. I mean, you can’t find a better education than USC unless you’re going to maybe some place like Harvard. Also, what attracted me to USC is the history of just winning, whether it’s on the track, whether it’s in the school, or just in any other sport. We just have a big history of winning, and that’s something I wanted to be a part of, for sure.
 
Q: What other schools were looking at you when you decided to transfer?
 
GC: Our arch nemesis UCLA, Texas and Baylor.
 
Q: How do you like California? How different is it from Texas?
 
GC: One thing I love about California is we’re sitting outside right now, and we’re not both dripping in sweat. I think that’s the biggest thing. I like walking around and not dying of a heat stroke. I also like the community. Everybody here is really nice. It’s really cool here. I like being around people that have the same mentality as me as in they want to win in life, whether that’s in sports or on the education side. 
 
Q: Have you found your transition to the track team to be smooth? Whether it’s training wise team chemistry wise?
 
GC: Yes on both aspects of that. I feel like our team chemistry is on a…