USC v California

Olympic champion Charley Paddock kicked off his season with a bang. In a collegiate dual meet against the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Southern California standout blazed to a victory in the 220-yard dash with a time of 21.8  (equivalent to 21.7 for 200 meters). This wasn't a fluke, as Paddock repeated his feat on his home track a week later.

American newspapers heralded the result as a new world record, which wasn't entirely accurate. Official records for 200 meters or 220 yards run on a curved track only began to be registered in 1951. Furthermore, the time wasn't the best in the world, as British runner Willie Applegarth had already run 220  in 21.2 back in 1914.

Paddock's season was cut short. He managed another 21.2 performance (for 220 yards on a straight track) at the end of March, but then traveled to Paris in May for the precursor to the modern Universiade, without his federation's permission. For this, the Californian was slapped with a six-month competition ban.

California beat Southern California by a score of 73–58.