USC Keeps Powell Very Busy

Virginia Powell, USC junior hurdler-sprinter, is one of a disappearing breed.

She’s an elite athlete competing in college dual meets, such as today’s showdown against UCLA at USC’s Loker Stadium.

Succumbing to the lure of big money from endorsement contracts and international meet paydays, more top track athletes are cashing in, passing on college competition.

Allyson Felix, Justin Gatlin, Alan Webb, LaShawn Merritt, Lauryn Williams, Sanya Richards and Tiffany McWilliams are among the growing number of U.S. athletes who have turned pro instead of competing in college.

But for Powell, it’s a different story. She’s a throwback to the days when top track stars were multi-event standouts.

“I’ll be doing everything,” said a laughing Powell about her workload against the Bruins today. “Let’s see. I’ll definitely run the [400-meter relay], the 100 [meters], hurdles and, depending on how my legs feel, the 200 also. But knowing how things usually work out, I’ll end up running that, making it a four-event day.”

Back in the days when most track stars competed in college, multi-event dual-meet afternoons were common. Not anymore. Overextension is one reason some athletes turn pro.

For instance, if Felix were competing for USC, where she is enrolled as a student, she would be expected to compete in at least three events against the Bruins, risking injury and subjecting herself to wear and tear.

But because she’s a full-time professional, Felix stays on her schedule, aiming to qualify for this summer’s world track and field championships.

“It’s a decision each individual has to make, but you definitely see that there’s a void at the college level,” Felix said.

She said she hoped that anyone who’s considering giving up college to turn pro would give it some deep thought before making their decision.

“The thing is that it may be best for some people but not for everyone,” she said. “You have to do what is best for you.”

Powell arrived at USC after a celebrated career at Rainier Beach High in Seattle, where she won state championships in both sprints and the 100-meter hurdles. As a Trojan freshman, Powell finished sixth at the NCAA championships, setting a school record with a time of 13.07 seconds.

Her success in college surprised her.

“In high school, I would win races but being from Seattle, the competition wasn’t like it is here in California,” Powell said. “But after I got here, I kept improving and improving.”

As a sophomore, Powell improved most as a sprinter, winning the Pacific 10 Conference title in the 100 with a personal-best 11.32 seconds. This season, she has already won the NCAA indoor 60-meter hurdles championship and finished behind reigning world champion Perdita Felicien of Canada at the Mt. San Antonio College relays with an impressive 100 hurdles time of 12.75.

Powell says that she knows turning pro is now a viable option.

“I love to compete against runners who are already at that level and show everybody that I can run with them myself,” she said. “It’s just good preparation for me.”

But many of the runners she’ll compete against to make the U.S. national team this summer will not be competing in four events against the Bruins.

“I do worry about burnout, but at the same time I have faith in myself and the coaching staff,” she said. “I’m confident that they will prepare me not only for [today’s meet] and the NCAA [championships] but also, the U.S. nationals....

“I haven’t had dead legs yet.”

For now, it’s all about beating the Bruins, who have defeated the Trojans 12 years in a row.

“We haven’t won in a while and we really want to beat them,” Powell said. “This year, we feel that we have a chance to beat them and I have all the faith in the world in my teammates. That’s what it is all about. The Trojans vs. the Bruins.”

A rivalry strong enough to keep Powell in college.