USC ends nine-year reign of Oregon women; Ducks extend conference records for consecutive, overall men's championships

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

USC relied on winning eight women's events, including a world-leading and meet-record 49.99 seconds in the 400 meters Sunday from senior Kendall Ellis, to halt the nine-year winning streak of Oregon at the Pac-12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Stanford's Cobb Track and Angell Field.

Trojans freshmen Twanisha Terry and Chanel Brissett also contributed victories in the 100-meter dash and 100 hurdles for USC, which prevailed by a 170-154 margin to secure its first conference title since 1996 and only the women's crown in program history. Terry ran a wind-aided 10.96 in the 100 and Brissett clocked a personal-best 12.75 in the 100 hurdles, the No. 2 time in World U20 history.

Oregon extended its conference records for consecutive and overall men's championships with a 174-125 victory over host Stanford, which enjoyed its best men's finish in 15 years. USC took third with 118 points.

The Ducks have won 12 straight men's titles and 19 overall, increasing their total to 30 overall conference championships, second only to UCLA's record 32.

RESULTS | INTERVIEWS | PHOTOS

Oregon received victories Sunday from Cravon Gillespie in the 100 in a wind-aided 10.05, Braxton Canady in the 110 hurdles in a wind-aided 13.57, along with Sam Prakel (3:40.20) and James West (3:41.67) taking the top two spots in the 1,500.

USC had Michael Norman double in a wind-aided 19.84 in the 200 and 44.40 in the 400, with Rai Benjamin prevailing in the 400 hurdles in 48.46 and Robert Ford capturing the 800 in 1:49.77. Zach Shinnick anchored the Trojans to victory in the 4x100 relay by a 39.38 to 39.41 margin over Oregon and freshman Earnest Sears cleared 7-2.50 (2.20m) to secure the high jump crown.

Arizona State's Maggie Ewen was selected female athlete of the meet after sweeping the hammer throw, shot put and discus throw titles for the second year in a row. Ewen opened her series with a 196-3 (59.81m) discus throw Sunday and two-time champion Valarie Allman of Stanford couldn't respond, finishing the competition with five straight fouls after an opening throw of 195-3 (59.51m).

Arizona's Jordan Geist earned male athlete of the meet after becoming the first freshman in conference history to win both the shot put and discus throw championships. Geist prevailed Sunday in the discus with a second-round throw of 188-10 (57.56m).