Inspiring story of USC student-athlete Ezra Frech continues with high-setting goals

People who are able to turn setbacks into something positive for others are special. U.S. Paralympian and USC athlete Ezra Frech required surgery at the age of three that included the removal of the lower part of his left leg. On the international stage, Frech competes with a T63 classification. This distinction is used for athletes who participate with an amputation on one leg that is above the knee.

At the American college level, there isn't a high-level organized avenue for Frech. He was not going to allow that to prevent him from further pursuing his goals.

According to ESPN's Charlotte Gibson, Trojan coach Jeff Petersmeyer was so impressed with one of Frech's performances that he earned a spot on the USC team. Competing in a jumping squad that includes Elias Gerald, the presence of the Paralympian helps to fuel the needed culture within the Cardinal and Gold program.

En route to the eventual outdoor championship, having Frech as a teammate and training alongside his fellow Trojan athletes is allowing everyone to have a greater appreciation for what it means to be an athlete.

Now that he is on the team, however, Frech is far from settling. He told Gibson of his intention to perform well enough to garner an all-conference selection and to provide a more noticeable role for USC moving forward. While he hopes to be apart of more of the traveling rosters, for example, the fact that he is on the team and helps through the way in which he approaches life and his craft is immensely telling.

Future LA28 involvement from USC track and field member

Looking ahead, Frech also would like to make sure that he is in the best possible position to defend his gold medals at LA28 in the T63 high jump and T63 100m race. According to him, he's also going to be looking to add a third, likely in the T63 long jump.

Before 2028 gets here, however, Frech will have his sights set on helping USC to put points on the board during meets.