The setting stays the same.
But the stakes never fade.
The crosstown rivalry returns as UCLA track and field heads south for a matchup against USC on Saturday and Sunday, pitting pride and tradition above all else in one of the sport’s most consistent head-to-head clashes.
The annual dual meet remains one of track and field’s most tradition-rich rivalries, with the men’s competition dating back to 1934 and the women’s meet beginning in 1984.
The Trojans hold a historic edge in the men’s series, leading UCLA 47-44 having won the first 32 meetings. The rivalry has tightened significantly in the years since, and last season reinforced just how little separates the two programs, as UCLA eked out an 82–81 victory on the men’s side.
On the women’s side, the Bruins lead the all-time series 23-18. UCLA’s 92–71 win last season not only secured the sweep but snapped USC’s decade-long rivalry win streak.
“For us, that dual meet is the start of championship season,” said track and field director Joanna Hayes. “It’s mano y mano – you either win or you lose. There’s no second place. That’s when the intensity shifts, and we get to see who can rise to that level of competition.”
Hayes led the Bruins to their first sweep since 2013 last season in her first year at the helm, which may mark a shift in the rivalry’s trajectory while establishing a new program standard heading into championship season.
Now traveling to downtown Los Angeles, the meet carries similar stakes but shifts to a new setting, where UCLA will look to carry that same edge in an environment that brings a different energy and level of intensity.
“There are definitely different environments between being at home and traveling, and there are pros to both,” said junior thrower Jake Stafford. “It’s special competing here with all the history, but going on the road brings a different kind of energy and opportunity too. The environments are deeper, the stakes are higher, and that’s when you expect to see better performances.”
Stafford placed first in the hammer throw at the 66th annual Mt. SAC Relay from April 15-18, posting an impressive mark of 61.79 meters against a competitive field.
He joins a throwing lineup that includes senior thrower Michael Pinckney, the program’s weight throw record-holder at 22.72 meters (74-6.5) and the 2025 Big Ten Discus Champion, as UCLA continues to strengthen one of its most productive event groups.
The Bruins’ field depth has translated into steady results, creating a foundation that extends beyond individual marks.
“It’s an environment where there’s always energy. We’ve found a really good balance between competing at a high level and just enjoying being around each other,” said senior jumper Mackenzie Kirk. “I try not to take anything too seriously and make sure I’m still having fun. At the end of the day, that’s what keeps everything in balance.”
Senior sprinter Naomi Johnson and junior sprinter Taylor Snaer, alongside a group of standout underclassmen in freshman sprinter Shaun McCoullum, sophomore middle-distance runner Marie Warneke and freshman pole vaulter Paige Echsner, are also slated to compete at the rivalry clash and reflect UCLA’s blend of experience with emerging talent.
The meet will also feature a rematch of the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational’s first- and second-place finishers, where freshman sprinter/hurdler Olivia Griffin edged out USC’s Falyn Lott by just over a second in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.
That buildup reflects UCLA’s priority to embrace head-to-head competition, fostering an “us against them” mentality.
The Bruins enter the dual meet aiming to translate preparation into execution, with a mix of veterans and budding talent.
“Right now, it’s about getting back to work and building toward that dual meet,” Hayes said. “Once we get there, everything ramps up because that’s when you expect to see who’s ready to compete at the highest level.”
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