Here we go again. It seems as if every weekend UCLA and USC teams are involved in athletic competition.
Last weekend the track and field teams of UCLA and USC had their annual dual meet. And the UCLA football team played its spring game at Drake Stadium on the UCLA campus.
This weekend the Bruins and the Trojans play each other in baseball at USC.
The UCLA softball team will host Arizona, the No. 1 team in the Pac-12 and the No. 3 team in the nation..
The baseball teams started their three game series last Thursday at USC.
On Friday, the 21-20 Bruins play the 19-22 Trojans at 7. They finish the series on Saturday at 7. The Bruins are 10-8 in the Pac-12 and the Trojans are 6-12.
The fifth-place UCLA softball team is 37-12 overall and 11-7 in Pac-12 play. Arizona is 47-5 and 17-4.
Their three-game series starts Friday at 5, resumes Saturday at 6 and finishes on Sunday at 1.
Last weekend the track and field meet between the Bruins and Trojans showcased some of the best performances in the nation.
In the 100 meters, UCLA’s Leon Powell won by running a lifetime best of 10.26. He also ran his fastest time in the 200 meters at 20.85, good for second place.
UCLA men beat the Trojans 88-75, and the USC women beat the Bruins 86-77.
“My coach (Dorrell Smith) and I have been working on my start all year,” said a happy Powell after his 100-meter win.
“I have been concentrating on keeping my head down coming out of the blocks.”
Powell said he is “just trying to stay healthy and keep moving forward.”
When the Trojans and Bruins lock horns in any sport, a super-hero usually emerges.
This time it was USC’s Christian Sourapas. The sophomore transfer from Oregon had one of the slowest times on his team but it all changed last Sunday. He won the 200 meters in a lifetime best of 20.63. He also recorded a lifetime best in the 100 meters, 10.37, to place third.
“I have really worked hard in the off season with my coaching staff,” said Sourapas after winning the 200. “I was finally able to put together a perfect race.
“I owe a lot to my coaches, Caryl (Smith Gilbert) and Quincy (Watts). This meet gives me a lot of confidence. It’s a blessing to be at USC.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com