Double NCAA sprint champ Andre De Grasse of USC turns pro

Double NCAA champion sprinter Andre De Grasse has signed a contract with Puma and will forgo his senior season at USC.

De Grasse, the World Championships 100-meter bronze medalist, will remain at USC and work toward completing his degree while continuing to train under Trojans coach Caryl Smith Gilbert.

De Grasse’s decision to sign with the German shoe giant is the latest twist in his unlikely journey from growing up in suburban Toronto involved in drugs and petty crime with little hope of attending college to a place on the worlds podium next to Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin of the U.S.

“This was a great opportunity for my family and I and we couldn’t pass it up,” said De Grasse. “My time as a USC track and ?eld athlete was very special. I was trained by great coaches and was part of an amazing team. The fact that I can remain at USC to get my degree and work with Coach Caryl was important to me.”

De Grasse was discovered by Olympic medalist Tony Sharpe, now one of Canada’s top sprint coaches, while running in an Ontario prep meeting racing in basketball shorts and starting from a standing start instead of using starting blocks. Running for USC last spring, De Grasse became the first sprinter to sweep the 100 and 200 meter NCAA titles since 2007. De Grasse won the 100 in a wind-aided 9.75 seconds, the second-fastest ever run in any conditions by an NCAA athlete. His 200 mark of 19.58, also wind-aided, is the fastest under any conditions by a collegian.

“What Andre accomplished in his short time here at USC was nothing short of amazing and we look to support him in any way possible as he embarks on his professional career,” said Smith Gilbert. “I’m both happy and proud that USC could be part of his journey.”

Contact the writer: sreid@ocregister.com