Blockburger, John And Men’s Relay Win Events At The Collegiate Classic In New Mexico

Track & Field | February 08, 2025

Johnnie Blockburger won the men’s 400m, Yemi John the women’s 400m and the men’s 4x400m relay raced to victory during the final day of the Collegiate Classic at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, N.M today (Feb. 8). 

• The grad student Blockburger won the men’s 400m invitational race with a PR of 45.45 to lead a 1-2-3 sweep for USC in the event.  Blockburger’s time moved him from ninth to third on USC’s all-time indoor list.  Sophomore Jacob Andrews placed second with a big PR of 45.56 to move into fourth on USC’s all-time indoor 400m list.  Junior William Jones, who sits second on that list, placed third today with a time of 45.64.  Even when adjusted due to altitude, all three times currently rank in the top seven on the NCAA descending order list.  Sophomore Yougendy Mauricette placed 14^th with a PR of 46.83.
• The junior John won the women’s 400m invitational race with a time of 52.24 and sophomore Madison Whyte placed third with a time of 52.46.
• The men’s 4x400m relay team of Andrews, Jones, senior Johnny Brackins Jr. and Blockburger won with a time of 3:03.57.  That time moved the quartet to fourth on the USC all-time indoor list and with an altitude adjustment (3:04.01), tied for third on the NCAA descending order list.
• Senior Travis Williams placed second in the men’s invitational 60m dash final with a season-best time of 6.55.  His time adjusted due to altitude (6.57) moves him to tied for sixth on the NCAA descending order list.  Sophomore Edward Nketia placed third in the final with a time of 6.60 and grad transfer Taylor Banks had a time of 6.68 to finish fourth.  Nketia ran a PR of 6.59 in the semifinal which moved him to tied for 10^th on USC’s all-time list.  Banks had a best time on the day of 6.66 in the semifinal.
• Sophomore Nonah Waldron placed fourth in the women’s 60m hurdles final with a time of 8.12.  She ran a PR of 8.08 in the semifinals which moved her from tied for ninth to ninth alone on USC’s all-time list.  She had a time of 8.16 to advance out of the prelims. 
• The women’s 4x400m relay team of John, junior Takiya Cenci, freshman Maira Scott and junior Christine M. Mallard ran a season-best 3:32.92 to place fourth.
• Junior Jassani Carter placed fourth in the women’s invitational 60m dash final…