The Three Torches 8/11: First of Many

Full Sprint, Three More, and much more!

Good morning! Trojan fans: we are less than one week away from one of the most anticipated USC athletics seasons in years. USC soccer, football and volleyball will get the action started later this month with many programs soon to follow.

What all can you find in today's Brew?

👟 Full Sprint
🏈 Three More
⚔️ And much, much more!

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🔼 First Won Done. Trojan men’s basketball got their first taste of action together in a game setting overseas as the squad took on Serbian professional team Mega MIS. It was a close battle all the way to the end, but the Trojans put it away in the end to secure the first victory of their summer tour by three points.

No. 1 prospect Isaiah Collier recorded his first basket of his USC career and finished the game with 20 points and six assists. Kobe Johnson did what he does best, turned offense into defense, and Boogie Ellis dropped 25 points in the win as the game’s highest scorer for USC.

All in all, a solid start to the trip. More games are coming as the Trojans square up again against Mega MIS later today.

🔼 Full Sprint. The 10-time Assistant Sprints Coach of the Year is joining USC’s Track and Field staff. John Bolton is one of the more decorated assistant coaches in the sport after leading his previous team to back-to-back conference titles.

🗣️ “I’m ecstatic to start this journey and fully commit to giving my all to our athletes and USC.” - Assistant coach John Bolton

🔼 Back in Action. The 2023 Trojan soccer team will take the pitch for the first time this season at Long Beach State this weekend. The match comes less than one week out before the real season begins on August 17th.

USC soccer is coming off of a 12-3-3 record last season that saw them finish third in the Pac-12. They made their ninth straight postseason appearance under current head coach Jane Alukonis, and finished the season inside the top-25.

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Ranked Wins. USC tennis has a knack for producing top tennis players, but can you name the most recent Trojan that has seen success on the ATP Challenger Tour?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

⚔️ ONE BIG THING

Three more Trojan football players were named to award watch lists in the past couple of days, including Oklahoma State transfer Mason Cobb.

🏈 Mason Cobb was named to the 2023 Butkus Award watch list - an award that goes to college football’s best linebacker. Last year’s All-Big-12 Second Team member will look to immediately contribute to the USC defense after his 96 tackle performance in 2022.

🏈 Austin Jones was named to the 2023 Doak Walker Award watch list earlier this week. The award honors the nation’s top running back, and with Jones’ key role in the offense and last season’s 5.2 yards per carry, he will look to make the leap into the elite part of that position group.

🏈 Calen Bullock rounded out the trio of USC football’s watch list-ers after being put on the Jim Thorpe Award short list. The award is given to the nation’s best defensive back in college football. The junior finished last season with five interceptions (11th in the nation) and will look to be a leader of the Trojan defense.

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📅 LOOKING AHEAD

Thursday 8/17

⚽️ Soccer vs. Michigan @ 3:00pm PT | Purchase Tickets

Friday 8/25

🏐 Volleyball at Houston @ 6:00pm PT | Purchase Tickets

Saturday 8/26

🏈 Football vs. San Jose State @ 5:00pm PT | Purchase Season Tickets Today

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Stefan Dostanic!

Dostanic has been on a tear this summer, and most recently, picked up his first ATP Challenger main draw win. He also came away with his highest ranked win in his career.

Have a great weekend, everyone!