By Christopher Hunt
Dalilah Muhammad said he always wanted to go to the University of Southern California. She didn’t quite know why. But what does it matter when you’re a kid and you’ve decided on a “dream” school?
The Benjamin Cardozo senior was midway through her official visit to USC before she called her mom’s cell phone to confirm that she made her mind up. But like parents do, she slowed Muhammad down and convinced to her to give herself more time. In the end, Muhammad chose USC over Texas A & M, Florida State, South Carolina and Miami.
“It’s a big relief,” Muhammad said. “This weekend was so stressful. I’m glad to just finally have it over with.”
Muhammad had given an oral commitment to USC last month but hadn’t made any formal announcement. She signed her letter of intent on Saturday. Her signing was one of the most anticipated of this season. Muhammad won the 400-meter hurdles at the World Youth Championships over the summer in 57.25 seconds, which already makes her the fastest intermediate hurdler the Trojans will have next season.
“It was tedious,” Muhammad said of the recruiting and selection process. “A lot of people were saying the same things. I was going to visit some schools and not others. Then I visited some schools that I wasn’t going to. Then there were the home visits. It was just a lot going on.”
The decision came down between Texas A & M and USC. After talking to her parents and coaches, Gail Emmanuel and George Taylor, she simply went with her gut. Though of course there where people in every direction that tried to play advisor.
“I think everyone has a lof of their own opinions about where they think is best for you,” she said. “There were people that were pushing for another school, some that thought that one school was great and that I didn’t need to look anywhere else. But I knew at the end it was going to be my decision.”
The hardest part was accepting that USC is completely across the country from her home in Jamaica, Queens. Plus, this season may be the last time the Armory sees much of Muhammad for awhile since USC, although the team did compete at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational, doesn’t entertain much of an indoor season.
“At first (the distance) was what I was most against and the fact that they didn’t’ have that many indoor meets,” she said. “It’s not like you can go home as much as maybe a school on the East Coast. It’s something that you have to adjust to. I’m think I’m ready to get out of the house anyway.”
Reach Christopher Hunt at chunt@armorytrack.com.