24 USC athletes selected for Buffalo.

June 1, 1998

NCAA DIVISION I OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Fourteen members of the USC men's track and field team and 10 members of the Women of Troy squad meet the rest of the nation's best in Buffalo, N.Y., at the 1998 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 3-6 (Wednesday-Saturday) at State University of New York at Buffalo. Competition in the field begins at 2:30 p.m. (ET) on June 3 at UB Stadium. Events on the track start at 6 p.m. on each of the four days. The final events of the meet on June 6 will be the 1,600-meter relays (men's at 8:30 and women's at 8:40 p.m.). The No. 5-ranked USC men's team is fresh off a second-place finish at the 1998 Pacific-10 Conference Championships (May 23-24), a year after winning its first league title since 1977 and 30th overall. The No. 4-ranked Women of Troy squad finished third at the recent Pac-10 meet at Stanford.

ON THE AIR CBS will televise the NCAA Championships nationally on a tape-delayed basis on Sunday, June 7, at 10 a.m. (PT).

TROY'S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY The Trojan men's program has won an unprecedented 26 NCAA outdoor national titles (including nine straight in 1935-43), plus two NCAA indoor crowns. USC's men also have had 104 individual champions over the years, including four-time (1993-96) NCAA hammer throw champion Balazs Kiss and the defending hammer champ Bengt Johansson. The Women of Troy have had eight individual collegiate champions and five Top 10 NCAA team finishes in school history.

USC MEN'S TEAM The 14-man Trojan men's team is led by a solid corps of sprinters and defending NCAA hammer champion Bengt Johansson, who stretched USC's streak of national champion hammer throwers to five (1996 Olympic gold medalist Balazs Kiss won the first four). Leading the charge on the track is All-American Jerome Davis, the three-time defending Pac-10 400m champion who is also a premier 200m and relay runner. Along with William Erese (two-time defending Pac-10 110m HH champ), JC transfer Charles Lee (200m and 400m relay), Marques Holiwell, Ray Carter, Edgardo Serpas, LeRoy Jordan, DeJon Joyner and Michael Walton, Troy will be well represented in the sprints, hurdles and relays. The Trojans also have some weapons in the field in addition to Johansson. Kedjeloba Mambo, who won the 1997 Pac-10 triple jump title as a true freshman, will compete in both the long and triple jumps. Sophomore Gordon Hovey will compete in the discus, while freshmen Szabolcs Maroti in the hammer and Daniel Haag in the decathlon are threats to score vital points.

USC WOMEN'S TEAM The Women of Troy (10 athletes), fielding perhaps the school's strongest team ever, have a mix of seasoned veterans and talented newcomers who cover the sprints, hurdles and intermediate distances impressively. Led by three-time Pac-10 champion Torri Edwards (fastest 100m time in the nation _ 11.05nwi), senior Tai-Ne Gibson and true freshmen Malika Edmonson, Candace Young and Carla Estes, USC could be as formidable in the relays as anyone in the country. Over the longer distances, the Women of Troy are in good hands with two-time All-American Grazyna Penc (fastest 1,500m time in the nation _ 4:15.13) and true freshmen Anna Lopaciuch of Poland and Brigita Langerholc of Slovenia. Natasha Danvers, a sophomore from London, has run 56.58 in the 400m IH (No. 2 all-time at USC) and will also compete in the high jump and run on the 1,600m relay. And senior thrower Carrie Martin, who is well represented on three of USC's all-time charts, will compete in the discus.

PAC-10 CHAMPIONSHIPS The USC men's team finished second at the 1998 Pacific-10 Conference Championships at Stanford (May 23-24), while the Women of Troy finished third. The Trojan men won two individual events (400m - Jerome Davis; 110m HH - William Erese). The Women of Troy took home five individual championships (200m - Torri Edwards; 800m - Anna Lopaciuch; 1,500m - Grazyna Penc; 400m IH - Natasha Danvers; 1,600m relay - Danvers, Carla Estes, Kristie Johnston, Brigita Langerholc). Natasha Danvers, a sophomore from London, was USC's star of the meet, winning the 400m IH in 58.01, anchoring the winning 1,600m relay and finishing second in both the high jump (5-10 1/2) and 100m HH (13.32). She accounted for 28 1/2 of the Women of Troy's 121 points all by herself on the final day of the competition.

PRIOR TO THE POSTSEASON The Trojan men are 7-2 in dual meets this year, while the Women of Troy are 8-1. Both the USC men's and women's teams lost dual meets to UCLA on May 2, however the meet in Westwood produced several outstanding performances. Seven meet records were broken and 81 proof of performances were issued to Trojan, Bruin and BYU men's and women's athletes who improved their NCAA automatic and provisional qualifying marks. The Bruin men defeated USC, 84-74 (the meet's closest score since 1975), and the UCLA women beat the Women of Troy, 104-50.

RON ALLICE Following in the footsteps of USC's legendary track coaches, Ron Allice made quite an impression during his first four seasons in Troy as the Director of Track and Field. Last season, he led the Trojan men's team to its first Pac-10 title since 1977 (and 30th overall) before finishing third at the NCAA Championships. In his second season in 1996, Allice guided the USC women's team to its first-ever Pac-10 championship and directed the men's squad to a 10th-place finish at the NCAAs. And in his first year at USC in 1995, he led the men's team to a fourth-place finish at the NCAAs. Allice, a prep standout at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High, is well known for his ability to win. His overall dual meet coaching mark is 156-26-1 in 30 years at five schools, including 11 state championships in 16 years at Long Beach City College, his previous stop before landing at Troy. Allice's programs have produced more than 200 All-Americans, plus 16 Olympians, four world record holders and seven American record holders. He has coached at his high school, junior college and college alma maters on the way to compiling his outstanding coaching statistics.

USC TRACK & FIELD HISTORY In addition to Troy's unprecedented 26 NCAA outdoor titles (including nine straight, 1935-43), two indoor NCAA titles and 30 conference crowns, the USC men's program has had 38 unbeaten and untied seasons, including a string of 16 in a row (1946-61). Since starting the track and field program in 1900, the Trojan men have compiled a dual-meet record of 387-104-4 (.788). Since 1912, 61 USC trackmen have equalled or bettered world records, and there have been 104 NCAA individual or relay winners from Troy. Seventy-four Trojan men and 13 Women of Troy have won 117 places on national Olympic teams over the years. Trojans have won 25 individual Olympic titles and shared in nine relay wins. Gold medal winners include long jumper Randy Williams, pole vaulter Bob Seagren, sprinter Charles Paddock, quartermiler Quincy Watts and hammer thrower Balazs Kiss. USC has also been associated with 14 members of the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame. The USC women's program has developed into one of the nation's finest. The Women of Troy have had eight individual collegiate champions and five Top 10 NCAA team finishes in school history, including third in 1987, and won the school's first-ever Pac-10 women's team title on May 19, 1996.

REDSHIRTING Three Trojan standouts _ Felix Sanchez, Pamela Simpson and Kinshasa Davis _ are redshirting this season. Sanchez, perhaps the top J.C. 400m hurdler in 1997, has the potential to place himself among USC's all-time bests in his two remaining years of eligibility. At Mesa C.C. in San Diego, Felix was the 1996 and 1997 J.C. champion in the 400m IH. He also placed 15th at the U.S. Outdoors and 19th in the U.S. rankings. Sanchez' personal best in the 400m IH is 50.01. Simpson, who won the 1997 Pac-10 long jump championship with a leap of 20-11 1/4w last season as a sophomore, will have two more years of eligibility remaining. The All-American went on to finish sixth in the long jump at the NCAAs with a season-best mark of 20-5 1/4 (the seventh-best leap in Women of Troy history). At Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High, Simpson helped the Jackrabbits win two consecutive state championships. Her best mark in the long jump was 20-9 1/2 (the second-best prep mark in the nation in 1995). Davis, one of the best California prep sprinters of all-time, was hampered by injuries and illness since this past fall. Next season, the 5-foot-10 freshman from Carson, Calif., could become one of the top 200m and 400m runners in Women of Troy history. While at Long Beach (Calif.) Wilson High last season, Kinshasa ran the second-fastest prep 200m indoor time in history (23.73). She also anchored Wilson's 4x200m and 4x400 relay teams to national indoor high school records of 1:36.55 and 3:42.7. Kinshasa was the top-ranked 400m runner in Track & Field News' 1997 Women's Prep All-America Team.

INJURED The Trojan men's team is hurt by a shoulder injury that could keep Henrik Kjaereng, who established himself as one of USC's best-ever javelin throwers last season as a freshman, out for the year. The Women of Troy are without 1997 Pac-10 100-meter champion Esi Benyarku, who is out for the year with a knee injury.

JEROME DAVIS
6-2, 183, Junior
200m, 400m
Ridgecrest, Calif.

THIS YEAR: Jerome Davis, the three-time Pac-10 champion in the 400m, has clearly established himself as one of the premier sprinters in the nation. Jerome won the 1998 Pac-10 400m title in 45.44 at Stanford, beating the rest of the field by nearly a second. He recently clocked a 20.51 in the 200m (ninth fastest in USC history) and a 45.19 over 400m (sixth fastest in USC history) to win both events at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet, where he also anchored both winning relays. Both of those times are conference bests so far this season. Jerome has been named the Pac-10 Men's Track Athlete of the Week twice this season (April 13 and May 4). 1997: Scored 23 points to lead USC to the 1997 Pac-10 title (first in the 400m, second in the 200m and anchored both winning relays) ... Finished third at the NCAAs in the 400m with a PR of 45.36 ... Ran a career-best 20.87 to win the 200m at the Golden Bear Challenge. 1996: One of the top freshmen in the nation, Jerome ran a season-best 45.65 to win the 400m at the Pac-10s ... Following the season, Jerome won two gold medals (400m relay and 1,600m relay) and a silver (400m) at the World Junior Championships in Sydney, Australia, where he also served as the team captain of the USA men's team.

HIGH SCHOOL: At Burroughs High in Ridgecrest, Calif., Jerome made the All-USA Today 1995 track team and was honored as his team's Most Valuable Sprinter ... He was a state finalist in the 400m for the past two seasons and finished third in 1995 ... Jerome won the 400m at the Arcadia meet ... He was also a standout basketball player and earned All-Golden League honors. PERSONAL: Jerome was born Aug. 20, 1977 ... His full name is David Jerome Davis ... Jerome is an undeclared major at USC. CAREER BESTS: 200m - 20.51; 400m - 45.19.

WILLIAM ERESE
5-11, 175, Junior
110m HH
Benin City, Nigeria

THIS YEAR: William Erese, the African record holder in the 110m HH (13.53), is a two-time Pac-10 champion in the high hurdles. He ran a Pac-10 best 13.71 to win the 110m HH at the Stanford Invitational (March 28) and clocked a 13.80 to take the conference title on the same track (May 24). 1997: Finished sixth in the 110m HH at the NCAAs and ran a season-best 13.66 in one of the prelim heats ... Won the Pac-10 title in 14.02.

PERSONAL: William was born on Sept. 12, 1976 ... He represented Nigeria at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta ... While in high school, William was named the 1992 Sportsman of the Year ... He is an exercise science major at USC.

CAREER BESTS: 110m HH - 13.53; 100m - 10.55; 200m - 21.12.

DANIEL HAAG
6-1, 182, Freshman
Decathlon, LJ, 110m HH
Northridge, Calif.

THIS YEAR: Daniel Haag, who has the potential to become one of USC's best-ever decathletes, automatically qualified for the NCAAs with a career-best 7,623 perfomance at the Occidental Decathlon (March 14-15), which also set a new Trojan freshman record. He is also has the ability to score points in as many as three individual events. In 1995, he took third in the decathlon at the U.S. Junior Nationals and second at the Junior Pan-American Games. HIGH SCHOOL: At Granada Hills (Calif.) High, Daniel was the L.A. City champion in the 110m HH and an All-CIF performer in the long jump, 110m HH and 300m IH ... He was also the leading rusher on the football team.

PERSONAL: Daniel was born in Downey, Calif., on Aug. 27, 1976 ... He is an undeclared major at USC.

CAREER BESTS: Decathlon - 7,623; 100m - 11.00; 200m - 22.15; 400m - 49.20; 110m HH - 14.55; 1,500m - 4:42.0; LJ - 24-11 3/4 (7.59); HJ - 6-8 1/4 (2.04); PV - 15-4 1/2 (4.65); SP - 44-2 3/4 (13.48); Discus - 147-8; Javelin - 195-6 (59.60).

MARQUES HOLIWELL
5-9, 176, Sophomore
100m, 200m, Relays
Bakersfield, Calif.

THIS YEAR: Marques Holiwell, one of the best prep sprinters in the nation in 1995, has the potential to be one of the elite sprinters in the Pac-10 if not the entire country. He ran a season-best 10.38 to finish third in the 100m at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet and then finished third in the 100m at the Pac-10 Championship with at time of 10.41. 1997: Clocked a season-best 10.53 to finish third in the 100m at the Pac-10s ... Ran the 200m in only one meet, finishing seventh (21.80 _ 21.63 in the prelim) at the Pac-10s. 1996: Redshirted at USC. HIGH SCHOOL: At Bakersfield (Calif.) West High, Marques won numerous championships (Mt. SAC 100m, Arcadia 200m, California State 100m) ... He won the 100m at the 1995 U.S. Junior Nationals at Mt. SAC ... Marques set Bakersfield West school marks in the 100m and 200m ... He also played football at Bakersfield West and was an All-Area tailback, rushing for 2,157 yards.

PERSONAL: Marques was born on Nov. 9, 1976 ... He is a business major at USC ... Marques lists former Trojan standout and current Chicago Bear wide receiver Curtis Conway as his biggest sports hero _ "I grew up watching him in track and football."

CAREER BESTS: 100m - 10.33; 200m - 20.74.

GORDON HOVEY
6-4, 235, Sophomore
Discus
Saratoga, Calif.

THIS YEAR: Gordon Hovey, Troy's top discus thrower, is a key performer for USC this season. He threw a career-best 193-2 (58.88) at the San Diego Invitational. Gordon threw 182-0 at the Pac-10 Championships to wind up in sixth place. 1997: Finished 10th at the Pac-10s (166-2) ... Threw a personal-best 176-0 to finish fourth at the Cal/Nevada Championships. 1996: Redshirted at USC.

HIGH SCHOOL: At Monta Vista High in Cupertino, Calif., David won the discus title at the Central Coast Section Finals with a PR throw of 171-1.

PERSONAL: Gordon was born on July 6, 1977 ... He is majoring in business at USC.

CAREER BEST: Discus - 193-2 (58.88).

BENGT JOHANSSON
6-3, 230, Senior
Hammer
Jarfalla, Sweden

THIS YEAR: Bengt Johansson, the defending NCAA hammer throw champion, will try to win USC's sixth consecutive individual national championship in that event this season. He threw a career-best 236-4 (72.04) at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet. 1997: Won Troy's fifth consecutive NCAA hammer title (1996 Olympic gold medalist Balazs Kiss won the previous four) with a season-best throw of 230-1 ... Placed first in the hammer at six other meets. 1996: At seven meets, including the NCAAs and Pac-10s, Bengt finished second six times _ each time, behind teammate Balazs Kiss.

PERSONAL: Bengt was born in Jarfalla, Sweden, on July 7, 1973 ... He is majoring in electrical engineering at USC ... Bengt won the Swedish Junior Championship twice and the Scandinavian Junior Championship once ... In 1994, Bengt set the Swedish national record for 22-year-olds with a throw of 231-3.

CAREER BEST: Hammer - 236-4 (72.04).

CHARLES LEE
6-0, 165, Junior
100m, 200m
Pacoima, Calif.

THIS YEAR: Charles Lee, one of the top J.C. sprinters in the nation last season, recently clocked a personal-best 10.33 (USC's fastest time of the season) to win the 100m at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet. Later, in that same meet, Charles finished second to teammate Jerome Davis in the 200m with a personal-best time of 20.61. He finished fourth in both the 100m (10.45) and 200m (21.03) at the Pac-10 Championships.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: At Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys, Calif., Charles won the Western State Conference 100m and 200m titles and placed third at the state meet as a freshman and sophomore.

HIGH SCHOOL: At Cleveland High in Reseda, Calif., Charles won the 1995 L.A. City 200m title.

PERSONAL: Charles was born in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 18, 1977 ... He will major in sociology and minor in American studies at USC. CAREER BESTS: 100m - 10.33; 200m - 20.61; LJ - 23-5 1/2.

KEDJELOBA MAMBO
5-11, 180, Sophomore
Triple Jump, Long Jump
Brussels, Belgium

THIS YEAR: Kedjeloba Mambo, the 1997 Pac-10 triple jump champion, already ranks among USC's all-time greats in the triple jump and is a threat to break Troy's all-time record (54-4 1/2). He recently won the triple jump at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet in dramatic fashion, covering 54-1 1/4w on his final attempt (he also took the long jump at that meet with a leap of 25-8 1/4w). Finished fifth in the triple jump (49-7) and sixth in the long jump (22-10 1/2) at the Pac-10 Championships. 1997: Accounted for 18 points at the Pac-10s, winning the triple jump (52-11) and finishing second in the long jump (24-3w) ... Finished sixth at the NCAAs in the triple jump (51-7 1/4).

PRIOR TO USC: Kedje has been winning triple jump national championships in Belgium since 1993 ... Notched an indoor triple jump PR of 53-2 1/4.

PERSONAL: Kedje was born on March 7, 1974 ... His younger brother Djeke has joined the team this year ... Kedje is majoring in business at USC.

CAREER BESTS: Triple Jump - 54-1 1/4w (16.49w); Long Jump - 25-8 1/4w.

SZABOLCS MAROTI
6-2, 220, Freshman
Hammer
Veszprem, Hungary
European Junior Finalist

THIS YEAR: Following 1996 Olympic gold medalist Balazs Kiss' footsteps from Veszprem, Hungary, to USC, Szabolcs Maroti could be yet another Trojan hammer champion in the years to come. Established a new PR of 220-6 (67.22) at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet, which ranks at No. 4 on Troy's all-time chart. A two-time Hungarian hammer champion, Maroti also was honored as the Best Student-Athlete in Veszprem twice. 1997: Redshirted at USC.

PERSONAL: Szabi was born on Sept. 30, 1976, in Veszprem, Hungary, the same hometown of Kiss, who won four NCAA hammer titles and went undefeated during his career at USC ... He is a pre-business major at USC.

CAREER BEST: Hammer - 220-6 (67.22).

NATASHA DANVERS
5-8 1/2, Sophomore
400m IH, 100m HH, HJ
London, England

THIS YEAR: Natasha Danvers, who recently won the Pac-10 400m IH championship (58.01), currently has the second-best 400m IH time (56.58) in Women of Troy history and the third-fastest 100m HH time (13.20). At the Pac-10s she also led off on the victorious 1,600m relay and finished second in both the 100m HH (13.32) and high jump (5-11 1/2), accounting for a total of 28 1/2 points by herself. Amazingly, she is currently represented on five of USC's all-time Top 10 charts (400m, 100m HH, 400m IH, high jump and 1,600m relay). 1997: Finished second at the Pac-10s in both the 400m IH (56.84 - PR) and 100m HH (13.55) ... Ran a 13.33w to finish third at the USC-UCLA Dual ... Before coming to USC, her previous performances include being a European Junior finalist, a World Junior finalist and a two-time British Junior champion.

HIGH SCHOOL: Natasha won athletic honors at the club, county, London, England and British levels.

PERSONAL: Natasha, who also goes by the name Tasha, was born on Sept. 19, 1977, in London, England.

CAREER BESTS: 400m IH - 56.58; 100m HH - 13.20; 60m HH - 8.32; 300m IH - 41.99.

MALIKA EDMONSON
5-7, Freshman
100m, 200m, 400m, Relays
Inglewood, Calif.

THIS YEAR: Malika Edmonson, an exceptionally talented athlete from a family filled with track champions, has the potential to become one of the premier sprinters in Women of Troy history. She is the daughter of USC women's coach Barbara Edmonson (a gold and silver medalist at the 1968 Olympic Games) and Warren Edmonson (the 1972 NCAA 100m champion while at UCLA), who was her high school coach. Malika has already placed her name on four of USC's all-time Top 10 charts (200m, 400m, 400m relay and 1,600m relay). She posted season-bests in the 200m (23.79) and 400m (53.02) at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet, where Malika also ran the anchor leg of the 400m relay that set a school record with a time of 43.71. The 53.02 she ran at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet came in her first 400m race of the seaso.

Not only was it the fourth-fastest clocking in Women of Troy history, it also shattered the freshman record, which was held by Olympian Leslie Maxie, who ran 53.90 in 1986 (fellow freshman Carla Estes has also bettered that previous mark with a 53.20 at that same meet). HIGH SCHOOL: At St. Bernard High in Playa del Rey, Calif., Malika won the 1997 CIF Southern Section Division III 100m and 200m titles and ran on both winning relays (in the 400m relay, she teamed with her younger sister Miya and two others to clock a blistering time of 45.37, the nation's fastest time that season and ninth-fastest in history) as a senior ... Was a Track & Field News High School All-American in both the 200m and 400m ... Ran the nation's second-fastest time in the 200m (23.47) and 400m (52.95) ... Won the state championship in the 100m and 200m and ran the second-fastest 400m time in the country (52.95) as a junior in 1996.

PERSONAL: Malika was born in Melbourne, Australia, on April, 13, 1979 ... She is an undeclared major at USC.

CAREER BESTS: 100m - 11.56, 11.42w; 200m - 23.47; 400m - 52.95.

TORRI EDWARDS
5-4, Junior
100m, 200m, Relays
Pomona, Calif.

THIS YEAR: Torri Edwards, who has established herself as one of the finest sprinters in the nation, is an automatic NCAA qualifier in both the 100m (11.05nwi) and 200m (22.88). Torri recently won the Pac-10 200m championship (23.01w) at Stanford, where she also finished second in the 100m (10.26). She tied Olympian Inger Miller's 100m school record (set in 1993) with a blazing 11.11 at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet, where she also posted a 22.88 clocking in the 200m (second-fastest in Women of Troy history) and ran the second leg of the 400m relay that set a school record with a time of 43.71. Torri was named the Pac-10 Women's Track Athlete of the Week for the week of April 6. 1997: Ran a 11.35w to win the 100m and clocked a season-best 23.43 to finish second in the 200m at the USC-LSU Dual ...

Fighting a hip injury, Torri finished fourth at the Pac-10s in the 100m and eighth in the 200m ... Won five of the nine 100m races she ran. 1996: Had the best freshman season in Women of Troy history ... Won both the 100m (11.48) and 200m (23.1h) Pac-10 titles and set USC freshman records in both events (she ran a 23.60 in the 200m during qualifying) ... She also anchored USC's 400m relay, which ran a 44.26 at the NCAAs (sixth place), and was on the 1,600m relay that finished second (3:38.75) at the Pac-10s ... Torri ran in 13 individual races in 1996, finishing first nine times, second three times and third once. HIGH SCHOOL: At Pomona (Calif.) High, Torri won the Miramonte League 100m and 200m titles and finished fourth at the state meet in the 200m ... She was ranked at No. 9 in the U.S. in the 200m.

PERSONAL: Torri was born in Fontana, Calif., on Jan. 31, 1977 ... She is an exercise science major at USC.

CAREER BESTS: 100m - 11.11, 11.05nwi; 200m - 22.88.

CARLA ESTES
5-8 1/2, Freshman
400m, Long Jump
Union City, Calif.

THIS YEAR: Carla Estes, an accomplished long jumper and quartermiler, finished third in the 400m (53.94) at the Pac-10 Championships. She also qualified for the Pac-10s in the 200m (with a time of 24.00) and long jump (19-8 3/4). She clocked a personal-best 53.20 in the 400m at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet, which is the sixth-fastest time in Women of Troy history and bettered what had been the USC freshman record of 53.90 set by Olympian Leslie Maxie in 1986 (fellow freshman Malika Edmonson now owns that record at 53.02). Carla ran the second leg of USC's 1,600m relay, which automatically qualified for the NCAAs with a time of 3:31.29 at the Mt. SAC Relays.

HIGH SCHOOL: At James Logan High in Union City, Calif., Carla was a Track & Field News High School All-American in the long jump ... Finished third in the 400m and second in the long jump at the state championships as a junior ... Ran a leg on the 400m relay that clocked a 45.20 (the third-fastest time of all time) and the 1,600m relay that finished 3:40.95 (10th-fastest in history) ... Finished second in the 400m and third in the long jump at the state championships as a sophomore.

PERSONAL: Carla was born in Ft. Riley, Kan., on Sept. 29, 1979 ... She plans to major in psychology and linguistics at USC.

CAREER BESTS: Long Jump - 19-9 3/4; 400m - 53.20; 300m - 44.28.

BRIGITA LANGERHOLC
5-7, Freshman
400m, 800m
Skofja Loka, Slovenia

THIS YEAR: Brigita Langerholc, who recently finished second in the 800m (2:06.72) and anchored the victorious 1,600m relay at the Pac-10 Championships, has strengthened an already formidable Women of Troy lineup in the 400m and 800m. She won the 800m at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet with a personal-best time of 2:05.63 (fifth-fastest in USC history). Prior to her arrival at USC, Brigita finished fifth in the 400m at the 1997 European Championships (under 23).

CROSS COUNTRY: As a 1997 freshman, Brigita took the individual title at the Pepperdine Meet in 19:39.

HIGH SCHOOL: At Gimnazia Ljubljana, Brigita was the Slovenian high school champion in the 400m ... Finished fifth in the 400m at the 1995 European Junior Championships and seventh in 1993.

PERSONAL: Brigita was born in Krany, Slovenia, on July 23, 1976 ... She is an undeclared major at USC.

CAREER BESTS: 400m - 53.26; 800m - 2:05.63.

ANNA LOPACIUCH
5-10, Sophomore
800m, 1,500m
Jastkowicz, Poland

THIS YEAR: Anna Lopaciuch, who has won 15 medals from Polish championships over the years, recently won the Pac-10 800m championship with a time of 2:05.71 and finished second to teammate and roommate Grazyna Penc in the 1,500m (4:22.17). She has given the Women of Troy yet another title contender in the 800m and 1,500m. She automatically qualified for the NCAAs in the 1,500m with a time of 4:16.49 at the Mt. SAC Relays, which ranks at No. 2 on USC's all-time list (behind Penc).

CROSS COUNTRY: As a 1997 sophomore, Anna placed 33rd (18:42) at the Pac-10s ... Finished in the Top 5 in the three other meets she competed in, winning two of them.

PRIOR TO USC: Attended the Academy of Physical Education in Poland ... Finished 11th in the 1,500m at the 1997 European Championships (under 23) ... Finished 17th in the 1,500m at the 1995 World Junior Championships.

HIGH SCHOOL: Anna attended Lo Stalowa. PERSONAL: Anna was born on Jan. 16, 1977 ... She is an exercise science major at USC.

CAREER BEST: 800m - 2:04.32; 1,500m - 4:16.49.

CARRIE MARTIN
6-0, Senior
Throws
Carson City, Nevada

THIS YEAR: Carrie Martin, who has been the top Women of Troy performer in the throws for the past three seasons, provides senior leadership for USC in the throws department. She is an NCAA provisional qualifier in the hammer (184-7) and discus (174-2). In both of those events, Carrie ranks at No. 2 on the USC's all-time charts. 1997: Won the hammer competition at the Golden Bear Challenge with a toss of 181-9 ... Finished sixth in the hammer at the Pac-10 (160-11) and 18th at the NCAAs (161-5) ... Led the Women of Troy to a dual meet victory over LSU, winning the hammer (163-10), shot put (46-11 1/2) and discus (157-6). 1996: Finished seventh in the hammer (173-3) at the NCAAs ... Earned vital points toward USC's Pac-10 championship, competing in the hammer (third) and discus (sixth - the Women of Troy clinched their first-ever Pac-10 title after Carrie's performance in the discus) ...

In only her first year of throwing the hammer, Carrie was an automatic qualifier for the NCAAs (179-5) and participated at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials. 1995: Finished ninth in the discus at the Pac-10s.

HIGH SCHOOL: At Carson High in Carson City (Nev.), Carrie won the Nevada state title in the shot put and discus.

PERSONAL: Carrie was born in Ridgecrest, Calif. on Aug. 22, 1975 ... She is an exercise science major at USC.

CAREER BESTS: Hammer - 184-7 (56.26); Discus - 174-2 (53.10); Shot Put - 47-3.

GRAZYNA PENC
5-11, Junior
800m, 1,500m
Kurzyna, Poland

THIS YEAR: All-American Grazyna Penc, a four-time Pac-10 champion and the USC 1,500m record holder, is one of the top middle distance runners in the country. She has automatically qualified for the NCAA in the 800m (2:04.83) and the 1,500m (4:15.13). Her 1,500m PR of 4:12.05 is a school record and her 800m PR of 2:03.82 is the third-fastest in Women of Troy history. She recently won the Pac-10 1,500m title (4:20.95) at Stanford. Grazyna was named the Pac-10 Women's Track Athlete of the Week for the week of April 13. 1997: Finished fourth at the NCAAs in the 1,500m (4:17.51) ... Won her second consecutive Pac-10 title in the 1,500 (4:23.64) ... Also took the Pac-10 800m crown in 2:05.94 ... Set a new USC record with a time of 4:12.05 to win the 1,500m at the Mt. SAC Relays ...

Clocked a 800m PR of 2:03.82 at the Sun Angel Track Classic ... Won 11 of the 15 races she started, finished second in four others ... Was named the Pac-10 Women's Track Athlete of the Week twice (April 7 and 21). 1996: Finished third at the NCAAs in the 1,500m (4:19.01) ... Won the 1,500m (4:23.71) and finished second in the 800m (2:05.14) at the Pac-10s ... Set USC freshman records in both the 800m (2:05.14) and 1,500m (4:18.52) ... Won seven of 14 races in 1996 (finished second five times and third twice).

CROSS COUNTRY: As a sophomore in 1997, Grazyna finished eighth at the Pac-10s ... As a freshman in 1996, she placed 13th at the Western Regionals and was the most valuable runner on the squad.

PERSONAL: Grazyna was born in Nisko, Poland, on Sept. 10, 1975 ... She is majoring in business at USC ... Grazyna won the 800m and 1,500m at the Polish Young People's Championships ... Grazyna also is an experienced international competitor, having placed second in the 1,500m at the European Cup in 1994 ... She also took fourth in the 800m at the World Junior Championships in 1994.

CAREER BESTS: 800m - 2:03.82; 1,500m - 4:12.05.

CANDACE YOUNG
5-9, Freshman
100m, 200m, Relays
Woodinville, Wash.

THIS YEAR: Candace Young, a highly-decorated sprinter with a Trojan legacy, has given USC yet another potent weapon over the short distances and in the relays. She is the daughter of 1972 USC All-American and NFL star tight end Charle Young and the sister of ex-Stanford safety Charles Young. Candace has qualified for the Pac-10s in the 100m (she finished eighth with a time of 12.05) and 200m. She also came out of the blocks for the 400m relay that set a new Women of Troy record with a time of 43.71 at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet. HIGH SCHOOL: At Garfield High in Seattle, Wash., Candace was a six-time Washington state champion in the 100m and 200m ... Was also a Junior Olympic finalist in the 100m and 200m.

PERSONAL: Candace was born in Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 1979 ... She is a psychology major at USC.

CAREER BESTS: 100m - 11.73, 11.60w; 200m - 23.9.

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