Good morning! As USC ushers in a new era as members of the Big Ten Conference, the Trojans are in good hands under the leadership of Athletics Director, Jen Cohen. Read her letter, The State of Troy, to get insight on how USC plans to achieve sustained success.

What else can you find in today’s edition of The Three Torches?

🏅 An update on the Trojans in the Olympics
🏈 Two student-athletes added to national award watch lists
⚔️ And much, much more!

🏅 TROJANS IN PARIS

During qualifications for the semifinal rounds of their respective events at the Paris Olympics, six Trojans advanced to continue their quest for a gold medal. For the full weekend recap, click here.

🆙 In the 400m women’s hurdles, Trojans Amalie Iuel, Anna Cockrell, and Jasmine Jones advanced to the semifinals. Jones and Cockrel both won their first-round heats with Jones clocking a time of 53.60 and Cockrell 53.91. Iuel placed third with a season-best time of 54.82. Tade Ojora, running for Great Britain, placed fourth in his men's 110m hurdles first-round heat with a season-best time of 13.35. He had the top nonautomatic qualifying time and advanced to the semifinals eighth on time. 

💨 Michael Norman won his men's 400m first-round heat with a season-best time of 44.10 to advance to the semifinals with the fastest qualifying time. Lanae-Tava Thomas, running for Jamaica placed second in her 200m first-round heat with a time of 22.70 to automatically advance to the semifinals on Aug. 5 at 11:45 a.m.

The Trojans competing in volleyball and beach volleyball have represented USC well by advancing to the later stages of their respective tournaments.

🏖️ As one of two U.S. women's pairs, Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes went 3-0 and didn't drop a set to finish atop Group C in pool play defeating the Czech Republic, France and Germany. In the round of 16, the dynamic duo advanced in three sets, defeating Italy 2-1 and will take on a Swiss pairing on Tuesday.

🏖️ Former Trojan Andy Benesh and partner Miles Partain moved into the round of 16 in the men's beach volleyball tournament. The duo sealed their spot in the knockout rounds with a hard-fought three-set win over the world's No. 2-ranked pair from Brazil and earned the right to play Italy on Monday.

🏐 USC men's volleyball All-American setter Micah Christenson and the U.S. men's national team advanced to the quarterfinal round. Christenson helped Team USA secure a top seed in the quarterfinal round with a resounding four-set win over Japan to move to 3-0 in pool play as Christenson tallied 29 assists, five digs, three kills, and a block.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Leveling Up. In his second year with the Trojans, USC punter Eddie Czaplicki was selected to the 2024 Ray Guy Award Watch List, an award that honors the nation's top collegiate punter. During the 2023 season, he averaged 43.3 yards on his 44 punts, of which 15 pinned opponents within the 20-yard line. He also had 30 kickoffs, totaling 1,906 yards appearing in all 13 games. 

🔼 Kicking It. Heading into the 2024 season, USC kicker Michael Lantz was named to the 2024 Lou Groza Award Watch List, an award given to the nation's top collegiate placekicker. Lantz, who transferred to USC in the summer of 2024, has scored 185 points, going 92-of-94 (97.9%) on extra points and 31-of-39 (79.5%) on field goals throughout his 5-year collegiate career.

🔼 New In Town. USC women's rowing head coach Kelsie Chaudoin has announced the addition of assistant coach Allison Foster, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role at USC. Foster joins Chaudoin and assistant coach Jake Power to prepare the Women of Troy for the coming 2025 season.

🗣️ "Her experience at Oregon State as an assistant and at LMU as a head coach will be invaluable. She has a keen eye and always pushes the envelope, looking for new competitive advantages relative to physiology and training.” - Kelsie Chaudoin

📚️ Read more about Foster’s coaching career prior to landing at USC

Today’s Top Tier Performance presented by ARCO goes to former Trojan Nicole Yeargin. Racing for Great Britain, Yeargin helped her country earn a bronze medal in the 4×400 mixed relay with a national record time of 3:08.01. Her performance also secured the first medal by a Trojan in any sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Today’s trivia question is brought to you by USC Credit Union. Built upon a tradition of trust, USC Credit Union is the only financial institution owner and operated by the Trojan Family. From full banking services with better rates and lower fees. to the best possible service, USC Credit Union members are equipped with the competitive edge to thrive. Become a member of our family and start your journey to financial wellness.

Up, Up, Up! From each Olympic cycle since 1904, current and former Trojans continue to increase the amount of medals earned in their respective events. USC alum Nicole Yeargin helped further the count this weekend with her team’s win in the 4×400 mixed relay.

Our question today: what is USC’s all-time total medal count?

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

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

27 days until kickoff, Trojan Family!

Entering the 2024 season, Bryson Shaw will look to make an impact in the secondary as an experienced member of the team. In his 5-year collegiate career (two years at USC), No. 27, has 169 tackles, including four for loss, nine pass breakups, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries while appearing in 48 games with 20 starts.

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📅 LOOKING AHEAD

*All times Pacific

Saturday, August 10
⚽️ Soccer vs. Long Beach State @ TBD in Carson, CA

Friday, August 30
🏐 Volleyball vs. Pepperdine @ 6:00pm in Malibu, CA

Sunday, September 1
🏈 Football vs. LSU @ 4:30pm in Las Vegas, NV | Tickets

⚔️ Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 327!

USC’s former athletes turned Olympians have earned 327 total medals, which include 153 gold.

⚔️ Have a great Monday, everyone!