USC T&F Opens With An Impressive Nine Wins At Spokane Sports Showcase

Track & Field | January 17, 2025

The USC track and field team sprung out of the 2025 indoor season starting blocks to win nine events, set a school record, a facility record and post five NCAA leading marks at the Spokane Sports Showcase today (Jan. 17).  In all, 10 different Trojans posted USC all-time top 10 times or marks.  Trojans winning events today were Johnnie Blockburger (M-200m), Johnny Brackins Jr. (M-60m H), Dajaz DeFrand (W-60m), William Jones (M-600m), Gigi Maccagnini (W-1000m), Christine M. Mallard (W-300m), Alfredo Reina Corona (M-3000m), JC Stevenson (M-LJ) and Max Thomas (M-60m).

“This was a great opportunity for us to compete here at The Podium,” said USC Director of Track & Field and Cross-Country Quincy Watts.  “We have 33 new student-athletes, so it’s a great opportunity for the athletes and coaches to develop relationships.  I thought we did really well today in terms of execution.  We could have done better, but overall, very pleased with how the team competed.  It was a terrific effort by all, and I am very excited about the future.”

“Johnny Brackins Jr. is a remarkable athlete,” added Watts when talking about Brackins Jr.’s 60m hurdles time.  “It has been special watching him compete this fall and through training and I knew something special would happen, I just didn’t realize it would happen so soon. The sixth-fastest collegiate 60m hurdler of all time, wow. A special kudos goes out to our coaches Stephanie Williams and Brenton Emanuel for their work with him.”

“We had so many terrific performances,” added Watts.  “Nonah (Waldron) and Laysi (Smith) did a great job in the hurdles, too.  I’m also very excited about what Max Thomas did in the 60m today and Johnnie Blockburger had a huge PR in the 200m.  The high jumpers Elias Gerald and Brady Palen both had their best season openers ever.  I’m looking forward to their progress.”

“This was a great performance to springboard us into the season,” concluded Watts.

• Senior Johnny Brackins Jr. won the men’s 60m hurdles with a personal-best, NCAA-leading and school-record time of 7.49.  He broke the previous USC record of 7.53 set by Tade Ojora in 2023.  Brackins actually tied the school record with a time of 7.53 in the prelims, then broke it in the finals.  He now is tied for the sixth-fastest collegiate 60m hurdler in…