Last Updated on May 11, 2025 by BVN
Jon D. Gaede | BVN Sports
Under the guidance of new Track & Field Director Joanna Hayes (JW North HS), the UCLA Bruins beat their USC Trojan crosstown rivals at Drake Stadium on the Bruin campus.
UCLA’s Men’s team narrowly edged USC 82-81 as the Bruin Women’s team dominated the Trojans 92-71, winning 12 of 19 events to sweep the overall meet for the first time since 2013.
USC’s Jada Foreman (40.11.50) and Lauren Reed went 1-2 in the triple jump. USC’s Madison Whyte won the 400m in 50.91.
Trojan women went 1-2 in the 100m behind Samirah Moody (11.09) and Jassani Carter (11.24). UCLA junior sprinter Naomi Johnson posted personal best marks in the 200m, winning with a 22.91 and gaining team points in the 100m dash with a 11.28 for third. USC won both 4x400m relay races, yet the meet had already been decided in a Bruin victory.
“How sweet a sweep is!”. “I’m just here for the people, choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” proclaimed Joanna Hayes.
The illustrious 91 year history of the USC-UCLA Dual Meet dates back to 1934. A myriad of great champions and Olympians have competed on the cross town tracks to include: Rafer Johnson, Jackie Robinson, Louis Zamperini, Allyson Felix, Gail Devers, Joanna Hayes, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Florence Griffith Joyner, Bob Segren, Evelyn Ashford, Quincy Watts, Ezra Frech, Torri Edwards, Willie Banks, Virginia Powell, Nia Ali, John Godina, Rai Benjamin, Michael Norman, Anna Cockrell, Clancy Edwards, James Sanford and so many more.
For nearly a century, the anticipation of the year ending dual meet has never waned. Football and basketball may often get the headlines, however, track & field has a unique and special fraternity of former competitors and enthusiasts like none other. If you look hard enough, you might find a former Olympic champion or perhaps a grandparent along the turn or finish line with a stop watch in hand. They may have run on the same track or competed in the same dual meet many decades ago, yet their passion and interest never fades.
Both USC and UCLA will now prepare for the Big 10 Championship which lies ahead on May 16-18 at the iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
