Another title pursuit begins for Corrin

After contributing to women's soccer national championship for USC, star freshman competes in long jump for first time in nine months at Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Before she runs in her first collegiate race or sprints down the long jump runway for the first time for USC, Courtney Corrin already knows what it feels like to win a national title.

Corrin played in 11 of 25 matches as a freshman defender for USC’s women’s soccer team, which captured the NCAA Division 1 national championship Dec. 4 with a 3-1 victory over West Virginia.

Corrin’s pursuit of more titles, both individual and team, begins Friday with her collegiate indoor debut in the long jump at Kentucky’s Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational at Nutter Field House in Lexington.

“I’m just excited to get out there and do what I love,” said Corrin, a two-time California state long jump champion.

“Training has been going as well as it can, given that I have been in soccer season for the past 4 ½ months. But that has no bearing on my mentality going into the first meet.”

Corrin, a Harvard-Westlake graduate, hasn’t competed in a track and field meet since April 9 at the Arcadia Invitational. She was sidelined after the event with a fractured toe in her right foot, prematurely ending her prep career and pursuit for a third state long jump championship.

“As expected, I have had some lingering pain, however it hasn’t resulted in any major setbacks,” Corrin said. “It just gives me the incentive and constant reminder to take care of my body.”

Corrin placed second in the New Balance Nationals Indoor long jump in 2015 with an indoor personal-best 20 feet, 7 inches and third last year at 20-3.50. She will compete in the long jump along with USC teammates Margaux Jones – the 2014 California state champion – and Madisen Richards, in addition to racing in the 60-meter dash.

National indoor collegiate leader and Kentucky senior Sha’Keela Saunders, who produced a 22-1 long jump Dec. 10, is only scheduled to race in the 200. Corrin is among eight entries with a 20-foot jump in her career.

Although Corrin said the 60 is for speed training purposes, she wasn’t shy when discussing her goals in the long jump.

“Once I get on the board, I expect to win,” Corrin said.