Important Crosstown Cup weekend for USC athletics

Considering the current 13-9 lead, it's less of a rivalry and more of USC showing who the bigger brother is. Regardless, the Trojans will take on the Bruins in a number of sporting events this weekend. Last year, UCLA did win the Crosstown Cup, so 2025 is about reclaiming it. Currently with an 85-45 lead, the upcoming opportunity is about putting the question out of hand.

Track and field will compete in the USC-UCLA Dual Meet that will take place at Drake Stadium in Westwood, California. Based on the USTFCCCA rankings, the men's squad is currently No. 1 in the nation. The women's squad, meanwhile, is No. 2 in the country.

It's very easy to see why the Trojans are viewed as highly as they are. The sprint team includes the likes of upperclassmen Jassani Carter, Dajaz DeFrand, Max Thomas, and Travis Williams. The underclassmen are proving themselves as well as the younger sprinters, featuring Olivia Pace, Brianna Selby, Edward Nketia, and Jazonte Levan, among others. Expanding the range a bit, the longer-distance runners include Bella Duarte, Jacqui Duarte, Jack Carter, and Roberto Ruelas.  

Ashley Erasmus and Racquil Broderick seemingly set a new record from their respective throws each week. The roster is filled out with highly capable performers in Reese Garland, Karyssa Owens, Shaiquan Dunn, and Kaden Garland, to name some of the other athletes here. Those participating in the jump events are JC Stevenson, Temi Ojora, Jada Gatlin, and Johnny Brackins Jr., to list some of the student-athletes on the roster.

USC vs. UCLA on the diamond

Shifting to baseball, USC has achieved another 30-win season under coach Andy Stankiewicz. They will face UCLA in a three-game series at Great Park in Irvine, California. Any day can see any one of these bats get going. From Andrew Lamb to Ethan Hedges to Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, this Trojans team can put runs up on the scoreboard.

The pitching staff is coming along nicely as well. Caden Aoki, Brodie Purcell, and Caden Hunter are only some of the arms coach Stankiewicz can lean on at any point. Seemingly able to win in a variety of ways, USC is one of the hottest teams in all of college baseball, and they'll look to further show it against UCLA.