Matthew Palmer Class: Junior Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica High School: Wolmers Boys Height: 6-2 Event: Sprints, 400m Birthdate: 11/29/1986

THIS YEAR: Junior Matthew Palmer is a very versatile runner and the Trojans look for him to step up this season and take a bigger role for USC in the sprints and relays.

2007: Was the leadoff leg for the Trojans' 4x100m relay team which ran 39.66 in winning the sprint relay title at the Pac-10 Championships on May 13 in Palo Alto, Calif. Also ran the first leg in the 4x100m in the qualifying round at the NCAA West Regional as the Trojans posted the best time (40.04) to advance to the finals. Battled through nagging injuries all season. Named as honorable mention to the Pac-10 All-Academic team.

2006: Ran the second leg for the Trojans' 4x100m relay team...They won the UCLA-USC Dual Meet 400m relay with a time of 39.75...Part of the second-place finish in the 4x100m relay at the Pac-10 Championships...Also won the 4x100m relay with a time of 39.68 at the NCAA West Regional...The 4x100m relay team posted a season-best time of 39.60 in the NCAA preliminaries, but they did not qualify for the finals.

HIGH SCHOOL: Palmer prepped at Wolmers Boys High (Kingston, Jamaica)...Ran a 14.1 in the college high hurdles and a 13.75 in the high school hurdles...Is the Caribbean junior record-holder in the high hurdles...Has a 10.69 100m time...Was part of the winning team at the 2005 Pen Relays in the 4x400m.

PERSONAL: Matthew was born on Nov. 29, 1986 in Kingston, Jamaica...Likes to listen to music and play video games in his spare time...His favorite musicians are Mavado, Munga Honorable and Erupt...Lists his favorite movies as Talladega Nights and Blood Diamond...He is an Economics major at USC.

CAREER BESTS: 100m -- 10.69 110m HH -- 14.1 200m -- 21.50