Last year, the Pac-12 Track and Field Championships left a sour note for Jasmine Todd. An injury that she had been battling in her right foot flared up between days, revealing that she had a broken bone.
The injury not only ended her Pac-12 meet, but it also served as a disappointing cap to the outdoor season. Coming into this year’s conference meet at Drake Stadium on the UCLA campus, Last year’s disappointment was on her mind.
“Coming out here was very nerve wracking,” Todd said. “I just wanted to make it through this meet to be honest.”
The Oregon coaches wanted to put Todd into as many events as possible without running her into the ground.
“On the entry side of things we had to make a decision with what to do with Jasmine Todd, because she of course can’t do everything,” Oregon head coach Robert Johnson said.
She came close. The redshirt sophomore took part in five events — the long jump, triple jump, 100, 200 and 4×100 meter relay.
“(Johnson) just called and was like you are going to have a very busy weekend, but its all up to you,” Todd said. “Just be open minded, you can say yes or you can say no.”
Todd wanted to compete in as many events as she could to help the team, so a compromise was made with the coaches. They would limit how many attempts she took in the jumps to make sure she was able to stay fresh for the track events.
This strategy was on display in the long jump on Saturday, an event that was overshadowed by the unexpected scratch from Oregon redshirt junior Jenna Prandini — the favorite to win the competition. Todd only took two jumps, taking the lead on the second with 20-08.50, before leaving to participate in the 100-meter prelims.
While she was away, USC junior Alexis Faulknor overtook her mark, claiming the victory. Todd settled for second place.
Then in the triple jump, an event close to her heart, Todd jumped out of order to make sure she could post marks before heading over for the 4×100 relay. On her second and final attempt she soared for 42-11.75, a huge personal best. She left for the relay, and unlike in the long jump, her mark held up for the victory.
Todd ran the second leg of the 4×100, joining teammates Sasha Wallace, Ashante Horsley and Marybeth Sant. Concern going in was the danger of dropping the baton, but the Ducks were able to cleanly pass it during all the exchanges. They ran a fast time, crossing in 43.65, but couldn’t keep up with USC. The Trojans ran a blistering 43.10 — a new Pac-12 meet record.
The 4×100 wouldn’t be the last time Todd would face the Trojans, as both the 100 and 200 featured a horde of maroon and gold. The 100 had six USC runners while the 200 had seven.
Todd was fast in the 100, taking off from the sprinting block like she was shot out of a cannon. She ran well, comfortable as she took the lead running in lane five. In the end, she was able to take first place after crossing in 11.18. Tynia Gaither (11.27) and Ky Westbrook (11.36) rounded out the top three.
“Wish it was a bit faster, but it definitely went well,” Todd said. “I got points for the team, which is all that really mattered.”
The 200 was when the cracks finally started to show. Todd looked gassed, struggling to capture the same burst of speed that drove her in the earlier sprints. She finished fourth behind three Trojans, stumbling as she crossed the line in 23.21. It was the first time she had competed in the event.
With all of her events complete, Todd had the chance to sit back and relax, but true to form, she decided to cheer on her teammates from the stands.
“Probably won’t have a voice tomorrow,” Todd said with a laugh. “I was screaming, but nothing was coming out.”
For her, it was almost more exciting watching the team compete and pick up so many impressive performances. And while she was quick to turn the attention towards others, she deserves some praise herself.
Todd finished with two individual titles, two second place finishes and she contributed 35 points to her team’s total. Perhaps most importantly, she also made it through without a serious injury.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur