Benjamin switching colleges and national teams

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Nancy Haggerty of the Journal News in Westchester County (N.Y.) reported today that Rai Benjamin is leaving UCLA and transferring to rival USC, where he will be eligible immediately. 

Benjamin, who prepped at Mount Vernon just outside New York City, is coming off a runner-up NCAA finish in the 400-meter hurdles. He ran 48.33 seconds for a new best to cap off a strong sophomore season. 

Benjamin also told Haggerty that he is done competing for Antigua, the birthplace of his parents. He declined an invitation to compete at the 2016 Olympics for Antigua because he wants to represent the U.S. instead. 

Benjamin, who turned 20 today, is switching sides in L.A.'s cross-town rivalry because the Bruins hired Avery Anderson as their new director of track and field and subsequently dismissed sprints coach Darrell Smith.

With Benjamin, USC could be in the mix for a national title in the spring of 2018. And the prospects for a very fast 4x400 relay team are shaping up as well. Benjamin could join a relay lineup that includes Ricky Morgan Jr., Michael Norman and new recruit Zach Shinnick.