USC’s Bryshon Nellum finished the men’s 400 meter race as a national champion when he crossed the finish line at 44.73. This also beats his career best for the 400 meter, which was previously 44.80. Texas A&M’s Deon Lendore was just a nose behind at 44.94.

Nellum was the second Trojan to earn the gold in today’s finals after Reggie Wyatt finished first in the men’s 400 meter hurdles.

Nellum is in his sixth and final athletically eligible year at USC, so the win was a big accomplishment for the Los Angeles native.

“It’s a beautiful feeling. You know, this was actually one of my goals, that’s the reason I came back for my sixth year; to win a national championship,” he said. “I did; I came back and reached my goal by making the finals, and it came even better by winning. That’s what I came back for.”

Florida’s Arman Hall, who finished the race in third, led the pack for most of the race until the final 100 meters when Nellum and Lendore pushed themselves ahead to cross the line before Hall.

However, Nellum’s journey at the NCAA National Championships is not over. He will compete in Saturday’s 200 meter race along with Trojan teammate Aaron Brown.

“This is just half the journey,” he said. “Three down, one to go.”

The men’s 200 meter race will take place Saturday at 2:50 p.m.