Oregon Preview Quotes

Claire Michel, Oregon, winner women's 2,000 meter steeplechase

“I felt good but I think I forget sometimes how hard the steeplechase is. I went out a little bit faster than we were trying to pace, we were trying to go very even. As soon as I got to the last lap, you forget that those barriers really tire you out.”

“Steeplechase is really something that you just have to get back in the motions of racing. There's only so much practice you can do but when you're in a race situation that's when you really have to figure it out. It's just an event that you have to re-learn how to race.”

Matthew Centrowitz, Oregon, winner, men's 1,500 meters

“That was a loaded field. Just getting the win was great.”

Michael Maag, Oregon, fourth, men's 1,500 meters

“It feels good. It's a beautiful day, what a great way to ring in the 2010 track season, perfect day for a race. The whole time I figured it was getting slow I just wanted to get a good last lap.”

“To come out on a day like this it couldn't be better. Especially in front of the home crowd they called my name at the beginning of the race that was pretty cool.”

“That's probably the reason I came to Oregon, the chance to be a part of something big. I mean I'm a good runner, but here I'm more of a role player guy. It's kind of fun, it's not a role that I've had all that much the last three or four years. It's kind of fun to be able to contribute without being extraordinary.”

Amber Purvis, Oregon, winner women's 400 dash

“I really didn't want to go out there and run too hard today, I just coasted through it.”

“I'm not too pleased with that, I know my coach told me I got the first two steps but then after that I slowed down.”

Sally Kipyego, Oregon Track Club Elite, winner women's 1,500 meters

“It was a nice double, I mean, I didn't get to finish the 1,000, but I had a pretty good 1,500, I thought the day was good.”

“Getting a chance for me particularly to run in front of the home crowd for the first time, it feels good to just have a decent race with a crowd like that.”

“I'm glad and I'm looking forward to training and getting ready for the season to begin again and this is a good start.”

“Right now we're trying to get a lot of work done. The results speak for themselves that's all I can say. My transition has been amazing, beyond my expectations, things just fall into place perfectly.”

Jamesha Youngblood, Oregon, winner women's 400 meter hurdles

“Yesterday was my first time going over a hurdle in two years. It was kind of weird but I've been doing it for so long that it comes natural. It just came back to me.”

“I want to give it a try, were just trying to see how the schedule works out. Trying to see how it works if I can actually do all of it. This is college so who knows.”

On the 4x100 relay

“We did really well. I'm really surprised with the time that we ran. We usually don't run that time until the end of the season so I think we're on a good pace.”

“We're all trying to do well and compete for national championships so we'll see where it goes. A lot of track meets come down to how you do in the relays, what place and how many points you can score.”

Melissa Gergel, Oregon, winner women's pole vault

“I mean last year I would have been thrilled with that obviously but since I've jumped higher it's hard to not be disappointed but I haven't really practiced all week, so I wasn't feeling great so I should be happy with that.”

“Obviously individual things like that are fun to get but it's crazy our team is so into it and it's all about the team.”

Jordan McNamara, unattached, winner men's 3,000 meters

“I've been a long distance guy for a long time. People like think of me as a short distance guy but I really love the long stuff.”

“I've been healthy since the fall, no injuries this winter. You get a few months behind you good things can happen.”

Zoe Buckman, second, women's 1,500 meters

"I went into the race wanting to hone in on 4:10 and I didn't set myself any limits and I just had this feeling that I was going to run fast and was completely calm and confident going into it. It was both an honor and an opportunity to compete here. I would have liked to have finished stronger but there's next time.”

“It's a surreal feeling. 3 seconds (off my PR)”

“I just really like the 1,500. It just feels comfortable to me, I feel like I'm really in my element out there. I felt very smooth. I wish I would have stepped up a little more and challenged her (Sally) at the end. She did all the work up at the front.”

Vin Lananna, Oregon Associate Athletic Director

“It was a great meet. A special thank you to the Oregon Track Club and the City of Eugene Recreation Department, they did a marvelous job. I think the kids did a fantastic job, it was a good day for an early season track and field event.”

“What a fantastic crowd, a record crowd.”