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Former USC Trojans All-American Anna Cockrell completed her showing at the Philadelphia iteration of the inaugural Grand Slam Track season by winning the 400-meter hurdles and competing in the open 400-meter race to take home the $50,000 prize money. Cockrell, who ran her first 400-meter hurdle of the year, ran a blistering 54.04 season-opener, which broke the event record at the historic Franklin Field, home to the University of Pennsylvania track and field team.
Cockrell has twice made the USA Olympic team and won the Olympic Silver Medal in the 2024 Paris Games after making it to the finals in the 2020 Tokyo Games, but being disqualified. Cockrell’s time of 51.87 to win the silver medal became the fourth fastest time in history, only trailing world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, former world record holder and fellow USC Trojan Dalilah Muhammad, and world champion Femke Bol, all of whom are also active.
“I do hurdle technique drills all the time. Walking with the hurdles, skipping with the hurdles, bringing the hurdles all the way down so you can train at different stride frequencies. For us, the hurdles in the Olympics are at 30 inches (76cm approx.). Sometimes I train with the hurdles at 36 inches (91.5cm approx.) to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. And then I stretch, as simple as it sounds. At this point in the season, your body has been through a lot, it's a little beat up. One of the best ways to take care of yourself is to stretch before training and after training,” Anna Cockrell said to Nike.
Cockrell was a standout at USC, becoming a national champion in the 100-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles, becoming just the second woman to do so in NCAA history. Cockrell also led the Trojans to the team championship title. This past football season, Cockrell was honored at halftime of a Trojans football game for her Olympic triumph. Cockrell ensured that the Trojan women medaled in the 400-meter hurdles in four of the last five Olympics.
“There's not a lot of time for coherent thought in the last 100 metres of the 400-metre hurdles. One, you're trying to run as fast as you can, and two, you're carrying a lot of fatigue to the point of being in pain. Your mantras have to be simple. What I usually tell myself are the words "go" and "clean", as in, keep a clean technique. I have a background in 110-metre hurdles, so I'd like to think that my technique is better than most,” Cockrell added.
Fellow USC Trojan alumna Jasmine Jones placed first on the composite scoring system after finishing in second place in both events. Jones, who finished third in the 400-meter hurdles in the USA Olympic Trials and fourth in the 2024 Paris Games, just behind World Champion Femke Bol for an Olympic Bronze Medal. Former Olympic Gold Medalist Dalilah Muhammad placed fourth overall.
The Ladies of Troy dominated the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia event and will look to repeat a similar result in the fourth and final Grand Slam Track event in Los Angeles, where Trojan fans will get to see them live in action, or on the NBC and Peacock apps.
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Nation's No. 1 EDGE Makes Critical Recruiting Decision
The Texas Longhorns secured a commitment from 2027 four-star EDGE rusher Taven Epps back in April, but there's no guarantee he stays committed to the Longhorns until signing day. With the way college recruiting is now, anything can happen on any given day. A player may commit to one school before flipping to another a few weeks or months later. The Longhorns are hoping that doesn't happen here, but they will face some stiff competition for Epps. According to Rivals' Adam Gorney, Epps is planning to visit some top programs soon, including the Georgia Bulldogs, North Carolina Tar Heels, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Oklahoma Sooners. He will also visit the Longhorns again. Epps is one of the top recruits in the 2027 class and is the top EDGE recruit in the country, per ESPN's recruiting rankings. He is the only commit that the Longhorns have in their 2027 class right now, but that will change once they wrap up their 2026 class, which is one of the best in the country. Texas comes into the 2025 season as the top team in the country after the first Associated Press poll came out on Monday. The program will start the season with a bang in Columbus against Ohio State, which won the national title last season and beat Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Ohio State comes into the season as the third-ranked team in the nation. College GameDay will also be in Columbus for that game on August 30. Kickoff will be at Noon ET on FOX.
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Jets QB Justin Fields had 'alarming' practice against Giants
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields found out he has a long way to go following his performance at Tuesday's joint practice with the New York Giants. Per Connor Hughes of SNY TV, Fields started hot at the practice before struggling during the move-the-ball period. "Very interesting practice for #Jets QB Justin Fields," Hughes posted on X. "He finished 7 of 12 with a TD. 5 of 5 to start practice. Then 0 for 4. Finished 2 of 3 with the really impressive TD to Jeremy Ruckert in red zone (starter 18 yard line). "The offensive performance was a bit alarming in move-the-ball period of practice. Fields Co. had three attempts to get down field. They didn’t gain a first down. Only gained yards twice (two short Breece Hall runs). Three sacks. That needs to be fixed. #Giants defense toyed with NYJ during that period." Some Jets fans online thought Hughes was using hyperbole to characterize the practice, but he doubled down on his judgment of the offense. Fields looked strong on his first and only drive in the Jets' 30-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. He went 3-of-4 passing for 42 yards and rushed two times for 14 yards and a touchdown. However, the Giants defense at the joint practice is a much better unit than the short-handed one the Packers trotted out for the first preseason game. Fields' issues seen with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, with holding the ball too long and not being able to pass consistently downfield, were a factor against the Giants. Following Saturday's game, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Fields was getting better but had a lot to improve on. Tuesday's practice was a humbling reminder that Fields needs to become a consistent passer if the Jets are going to move the ball on good defenses in the regular season.
Best fits for five notable NFL free agents
With training camp in full swing, NFL teams continue to tweak rosters. Fortunately for general managers, veteran free agents are available to bolster teams. Here are five of the best remaining free agents and the best fits for each: Wide receiver Amari Cooper | Best fit: San Francisco 49ers The 10-year veteran failed to provide much of a boost to the Buffalo Bills last season (44 catches for 547 yards) after they traded for him at midseason. Perhaps that lack of production was because of lingering injuries (wrist, back). Although the five-time Pro Bowl player is 31, he could return to form — especially considering he had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons before 2024. A receiver-needy team such as San Francisco, which is expected to be without Brandon Aiyuk (recovering from an ACL injury) for the first part of the season, makes sense. OLB Matthew Judon | Best fit: Dallas Cowboys Judon didn’t provide the expected boost to his new team after his trade from the New England Patriots, finishing with only 5.5 sacks for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. He had back-to-back double-digit sack seasons in 2021 (12.5) and 2022 (15.5) for the Patriots. Perhaps he can return to form now that he is another season removed from the torn biceps he suffered in 2023. The Dallas Cowboys, who are navigating the Micah Parsons contract situation, would be a good landing spot for Judon. Parsons has yet to end his hold-in or rescind his trade request. Even if the Parsons saga is resolved before Week 1, Judon could provide depth for Dallas. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. | Best fit: Miami Dolphins Samuel, who is 25 and entering his physical prime, has 47 NFL starts and was productive during his 2021-24 tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers. He underwent neck surgery earlier this year, perhaps the reason he remains unsigned. Samuel is expected to be ready for the season and would provide an immediate boost to a CB-needy team — particularly one without CB Jalen Ramsey (traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers) and CB Kader Kohou, who's on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury. Defensive end Za’Darius Smith | Best fit: Green Bay Packers Unlike Judon, Smith was effective last season (nine sacks). He was acquired by Detroit in November 2024 to help fill the hole left by the injury to edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Now, he could do the same for another team that lacks a strong pass rush. Smith makes sense for Green Bay, where the team’s top pass-rusher (Rashan Gary) finished with just 7.5 sacks last season. Smith, who played for the Packers from 2019-21, felt slighted by the franchise for his release before the 2022 season, but this may be a case where mending fences could benefit both sides. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore | Best fit: Indianapolis Colts Gilmore has played for four teams (Panthers, Colts, Cowboys, Vikings) over the past four seasons. Despite showing signs of decline in recent seasons, he remains an above-average starter at a premium position. Gilmore has started at least 15 games in each of the past three seasons, proving his durability. The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year would be a logical addition for cornerback-needy team. However, his age (34) and desire for significant playing time could turn off teams. A reunion makes sense with the Colts, who are dealing with injuries to cornerbacks Kenny Moore II (knee), Jaylon Jones (hamstring), JuJu Brents (hamstring) and Justin Walley (ACL, out for season).
Perhaps Superman Paul Skenes has found his kryptonite
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes may continue to be one of the top contenders for the National League Cy Young Award, but there is one place where he has appeared mortal this season. On Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Brewers did to Skenes what they have done to plenty of MLB pitchers in 2025 ... put up big offensive numbers. For the second time this season (Skenes also pitched in Milwaukee on June 25), the Brewers forced him from the game after just 4.0 innings on Tuesday night, logging six hits and four runs during his time on the mound. Both of those performances came at Milwaukee's home stadium (American Family Field) and both are now Skenes' shortest outings of the season. While another NL Central team has put up more runs against Skenes this season (the St. Louis Cardinals nicked him for five runs in 6.0 innings on April 8), no other team has had the same kind of success over multiple starts by Skenes in 2025 as have the Brewers inside their home stadium. In all this season, Skenes has given up 10 hits and eight runs in 8.0 innings in Milwaukee. It was his third career outing on the road against the Brewers, with his lone 2024 start representing arguably the best outing of his rookie season. On July 11, 2024, Skenes struck out 11 and didn't allow a hit over 7.0 innings as the Pirates would eventually post a 1-0 victory. Tuesday's short outing was highlighted by a pair of Milwaukee home runs, including a leadoff solo shot by Sal Frelick that quickly set the tone for the Brewers. While Milwaukee's hit parade helped raise Skenes' ERA on the season to 2.13, it's hardly any reason for concern in a season where the 23-year-old right-hander is still a heavy favorite (-600) to win the NL Cy Young Award, per BetMGM. Skenes struggling in Milwaukee is likely more yet another stamp of approval on the Brewers' potential to be a threat once the postseason arrives. With an 18-4 record since the All-Star break entering Tuesday, Milwaukee has taken over the NL Central race from the Chicago Cubs. So what's the good news for Skenes? This is Pittsburgh's last trip to Milwaukee this season and the next-to-last series for the Pirates against the red-hot Brewers. Milwaukee will visit PNC Park for a three-game series on Sept. 5-7, and if Skenes gets a chance for revenge against Milwaukee, there couldn't be a better place for him to take the mound. This season, in 11 starts covering 68.2 innings, Skenes has a 1.70 ERA in the Steel City.
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