NCAA West Regional Quotes
05/30/09 | Track and Field
Quotes from Day 2 of the NCAA West Regional
Alexandra Kosinski, Oregon, 5th in 1500 meters
On her performance:
“It feels great to know I made it in top five. I was really nervous, because the time on paper doesn't really mean much at the event like the one here. Everyone was pretty close and everyone could have made it. We were running pretty slow and I knew nobody was going to drop.”
Brenda Martinez, UC Riverside, 1st in 1500 meters
On her performance:
“It is a good preparation for the nationals. I wanted to get positioned among my competition. The race wasn't too slow or too fast. I felt comfortable. I am now looking forward to the nationals.”
Matthew Centrowitz, Oregon, 1st in 1500 meters
On his performance:
“I didn't know who was going to make the first move ? Galen or me. I knew though that if I let him go, it would be hard to catch him. We both wanted to win.”
On three
“I am excited for all of us. It's going to be a lot of fun. I was so happy to see
Brianne Theisen, Oregon, 4th in 100 meter hurdles
On the nationals:
“The coaches will have a tough decision to make. I don't know yet what I will be competing in. Today was a big surprise, but I am very happy and looking forward to the nationals.”
“The race went well, I've been working on my start and I stayed focused and made it. The goals today were to fun fast and get a top 5 finish.” “Come nationals I will be ready to run against the best and hopefully make it as an All-American.” “It was a good competition, the field was great, the crowd was amazing and the experience was awesome.” “Nationals will be a test, there will be great competition and at nationals were all within three feet.” “These meets push us to throw better and they bring out great competition.” Jordan McNamara, “I'm feeling so many emotions right now, if you would of asked me six months ago if I would have been here, I would of said nice goal, but not a reality.” “When you're running in this jersey in front of this croud it takes you to another level, I can't ask for anything more.” “I came to U of O with many expectations and now that I'm healthy this is just the start of things to come.” Amber Kaufman, “I would of liked to jump higher, but it is what it is. The weather didn't affect me at all, it's just like at home. This is a fun meet; it brings new pressure and competitions that are always fun to compete against.” Shalina Clarke, USC, 1st 100 Hurdles “I've been working really hard, and this is just a stepping stone to greater things. In hurdles we go hard every time, there is no letting up. My goal for nationals is to go under 13, I know I can do it. It will just take some great competition to push me to it.
Chad Barlow, Oregon, Qualifier for Men's 400 Meter Dash
On race:
“The last two days I feel like I have run faster. I'm still working on the first half of my race.
On finish:
“I could feel myself gaining. It feels really good, really good. I'm glad I get to go, I would have been really bummed.”
On what he needs to work on for NCAA's
“I need to not relax as much on the back stretch. I'm feeling pure excitement.”
Galen Rupp, Oregon, 2nd in 1500 meters
On his performance:
“I was a little tired from running yesterday, but I absolutely don't mind my teammate winning this race. It was a good race and I am so happy we all have made it to top five.”
On Centrowitz:
“He's so young and so great. He's going to be great. I am really excited for the nationals for all three of us. We have a great team.”
Sarah Stevens,
“It was nice getting through this meet. I was definitely going out to win, but at the same time I knew if I had a bad result there would still be nationals.”
“This is a great time to work on pressure situations. I was just working on some technical stuff, and some timing.”
On nationals:
“I'm very excited about
“I went straight from 53 to 51. I'd never run a 52 before, so I was just working on some things at this meet to prepare for nationals.”
“I felt great. I believed in my training for that last 100, and the crowd always helps.”
On teammate Chad Barlow qualifying:
“I'm excited for
Ahmad Rashad, USC
“I haven't run this consistent since high school. I felt like I'd run pretty well today, and I didn't have the best start, but technically I had a really good race.”
On nationals:
“I'm running faster than I ever have before. I'm a lot stronger than I've ever been. I feel like I can finish pretty high.
Jordan Boase, Washington, winner 400m
“This week I was able to practice normal, which I think is why I felt a little more tired. It was good to win without feeling one hundred percent. Today proved I'm still pretty fast even when I don't feel good.”
On nationals:
“I'll definitely be ready to go for nationals. I haven't run three rounds yet this year, but my goal is definitely to win, but people are busting out 44's, so I have to get down there again.”
Andrew Wheating, Oregon, winner 800m
On taking the lead early:
“I was trying to send a message that I can win a race any way I have to. Coach said if it went out slow to just take the lead.”
“I feel great right now. This is just the beginning of the season for me.”
On sitting out the 1500:
“It was so hard to sit there and watch Galen (Rupp) and Centro (Matthew Centrowitz.) It would have been cool if we could have gotten the sweep again.”
On nationals:
“I really want to win the 800. Our team has guys all over the place, so I think we've got a good shot to win it.”
Zoe Buckman, Oregon, second in 800m
On race:
“I accomplished what I needed to, to qualify for nationals. I did the job.”
On NCAAs:
“I want to have fun, run smart, and get in a position to win it.”
Lacey Cramer, Brigham Young, winner in 800m
On winning as a freshman:
“It's awesome. I was excited to go out there and I feel ready for nationals. I feel really lucky.”
On running at
“Running in the stadium was amazing. It was like nothing I ever expected.”
On qualifying:
“It was really nice to know my position rather than time. It was relaxing.”
Jeshua Anderson, WSU, winner in 400m hurdles
On race:
“I'm pleased. It was pretty windy on the backstretch, but I kept pushing through.”
On Regionals:
“If you don't take these races seriously, it can be bad. I try to stay hungry, stay humble.”
On NCAAs:
“I will do my best to defend the title. The Olympic Trials gave me experience and helped out with the rounds. I'm taking this is in strides, and hopefully I'll run smarter and faster.”
Jernise Saunders, Portland State University
On qualifying in 200m:
“I didn't do very well in the 100. I knew it was a long shot, but I knew I was strong enough. I tried not to carry over that race into the 200m.”
On finish:
“My coach was like “You did it!” I was juiced.”
On competing:
“I'm just trying to run my time and execute.”
On ribbon:
“I didn't wear it yesterday and I didn't qualify. I had to wear it today. You'll see it in
Mel Lawrence, Washington, winner in 3000m steeplechase
On
“The crowd really pumps you up. I went out a little hard, but I just went for it.”
On nationals:
“Every week is an improvement. I'm really excited, I have never been. It will be a really great experience.”
Rachel Yurkovich, Oregon, winner in javelin
On win and last throws at
“I have learned over the years that nationals is your award, but this is a great ending note.”
On nationals:
“I'm really really excited. We know we have a lot of individual contenders for titles, but the team is a contender as well.”
Chris Winter, Oregon, qualifier in steeplechase
On qualifying:
“This was about that ticket to nationals, and moving on to the next stage. I was getting antsy there; the pace was back and forth.”
On finish:
“I looked at the jumbotron, and I realized the big pack there, so I kicked it. It would have been nice to win in my last meet here, but my goal was to qualify.”
On win:
“I was not expecting to win. I was just going for the top 5. I pretty much ran the race I planned.”
On nationals:
“Everyone has that dream and it's awesome. My first goal is to make the finals, then I'll go from there.”
Nicole Leach, UCLA, 1st in 400 meter hurdles
On her goal for the nationals:
“I want to get the title and set a new PR. The recent meets have been showing that the PR is coming. I am confident going into nationals.”
Simon Wardhaugh, Boise State, winner in hammer throw
On win:
“I was nervous for this meet, just worrying about stepping up. But I knew on my first throw I'd made it and it was a big relief.”
On nationals:
“Training is going well, and I'm looking forward to it.”
Vin Lananna, Oregon Associate Athletic Director
“We accomplished what we needed to today. Everyone advanced that was supposed to. Our approach was to look at this as the first round of the NCAA Championships.”
On the women's 4x100m dropping the baton:
“Obviously, that race wasn't my favorite part of the meet, but there were more good things than bad things.”
On the men's triple crown hopes:
“The guys are in good shape. I like our chances to be in position to do something. Now, we've got to get to
Dan Steele, Oregon Associate Director of Track and Field
On the women's 4x100m dropping the baton:
“It was very disappointing. That's a good example of what's broken with the regional system. They could have walked the baton around and made it. That's a good team. They could have been an All-American team. Now we need to figure out how to get a trophy without them. We've still got a lot of weapons, and they're a very focused and confident team.”
On the men's triple crown chances:
“We talk about it some. At this point, it's worthy of discussion. On paper, we showed we can be in the mix. We're just going to try and score as many points as we can.”
Jared O'Connor, Washington, qualifier in pole vault
On jump to qualify:
“I had fun jumping against Scott.”
On conditions:
“It's tough. You need to get in the shade after the jumps. I knew I could get it.”
Scott Roth, Washington, winner in pole vault
On conditions:
“They were spectacular. Tailwind was consistent. My family was here. All these things come in to play, and I took advantage of that today.”
“I came close to a PR, but that's ok.”
Players Mentioned
