In first event held at Loker Stadium in nearly 23 months, USC produces 19 victories at two-day event, highlighted by Jones running 13.01 in 100-meter hurdles, Thomas winning twice and transfers Gleason and Scott prevailing in their Trojan debuts, along with freshman Knight in men’s hammer throw

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor/Chuck Utash photos

After not hosting a meet at Loker Stadium in nearly 23 months, the members of the USC men’s and women’s track and field teams returned in impressive fashion at their annual Trojan Invitational.

Following three victories in throwing events Friday, USC added 16 more wins Saturday at the site of the Pac-12 Championships event May 14-16, highlighted by some impressive returns to competition for veterans and impressive outdoor debuts for underclassmen in the first on-campus event since April 28, 2019, the last dual meet against crosstown rival UCLA.

Freshman Jasmine Jones rebounded from not finishing in her 60-meter hurdles prelim race March 12 at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark., to run a lifetime-best 13.01 seconds in her collegiate 100-meter hurdles debut, making her both the NCAA and American leader, along with equal to No. 3 in the world this year.

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Rae-Anne Serville, another USC freshman representing Trinidad and Tobago, clocked 53.45 to prevail in the women’s 400.

Junior Lanae-Tava Thomas won a pair of events for USC, running 11.57 seconds into a headwind in the 100-meter dash and adding a wind-legal leap of 20-11.25 (6.38m) to prevail in the long jump.

USC received a pair of strong performances from transfers, with former Virginia standout Jordan Scott securing the victory in the men’s triple jump with a 54-7.50 (16.65m) performance and George Gleason, who previously attended crosstown rival UCLA, prevailing in the 1,500 meters in 3:48.04.

The Trojans also showcased their depth, with Isaiah Jewett clocking 45.96 to sweep the top four spots in the men’s 400, and Nicole Yeargin leading a USC lineup taking the top six positions in the women’s 200 by winning in 23.23.

Eric Allen, Jr. won the men’s 200 in 20.99, with Omotade Ojora capturing the men’s 110-meter hurdles in 13.76 and Cameron Samuel earning a victory in the men’s 400-meter hurdles in 51.32.

Breanna Bernard-Joseph clocked 59.49 in the women’s 400 hurdles and Alyssa Brewer triumphed in the 800 in 2:06.53 for USC.

USC had a pair of women’s lineups run 3:41.28 and 3:41.56 in a head-to-head 4x400 battle, with the Trojans taking the men’s 4x400 in 3:09.37.

Washington State had three victories on the track, sweeping both 4x100 relays, along with a victory in the men’s 100 from Emmanuel Wells in a wind-legal 10.38. Wells also ran on the Cougars’ 4x100 that clocked 40.61, with Washington State winning the women’s race in 45.50.

Utah dominated the women’s distance events, with Sarah Newton taking the 1,500 in 4:32.40 and Sophie Ryan leading a sweep of the top four places in the 3,000, clocking 10:03.35.

Along with field-event victories from Thomas and Scott, USC also prevailed in the women’s triple jump, as Temitope Ojora achieved an effort of 42-4 (12.90m).

Washington State had four field-event wins, with Emily Coombs capturing the women’s pole vault with a 12-11.50 (3.95m) clearance and Kaylee Sowle clearing 5-8 (1.73m) in the women’s high jump.

Kendra Sachse triumphed in the women’s javelin for the Cougars with a throw of 157-4 (47.96m), contributing to a sweep of the event, as Gabriel Shouman was victorious in the men’s competition with a mark of 197-5 (60.19m).

Cal swept both shot put events, with Josh Johnson producing a 65-2.75 (19.88m) effort in the men’s section and Kristin Smoot achieving an effort of 46-4.75 (14.14m) in the women’s competition.

Kamau Carlisle won the men’s long jump with a leap of 23-7.25 (7.19m) for the Golden Bears.

Long Beach State received a men’s high jump victory from PJ Tshiaba with a 7-0.50 (2.15m) clearance in a jumpoff, along with Michael Magula winning the men’s pole vault with a height of 15-5 (4.70m).

USC won three of four throwing events Friday, including the debut of freshman Trey Knight in the hammer throw. The national high school record holder prevailed with a throw of 219 feet (66.75m) and Joy McArthur won the women’s competition for USC with a mark of 205-9 (62.71m).

Karlee Freeman won the women’s discus event for USC by throwing 173-8 (52.93m), with Long Beach State’s Charlie Vernoy prevailing in the men’s discus with a performance of 185-4 (56.49m).