NCAA West Region Prelims Day Two Quotes
05/27/11 | Track and Field
NCAA West Region Prelims-Day Two
Hayward Field
May 27, 2011
Oregon Head Coach Vin Lananna
On Purvis:
“I have full confidence in Amber and believe that she will be ready
to go when the time comes. We are hoping that it is just a cramp, but
the medical staff is still working on her. She ran the 200 because
believe that every athlete needs to participate to the best of their
ability.”
On Coaches:
“We did have some substitutions today but that is normal. It is not
the first time that it has happened. I have full confidence in the
coaching staff for every event if something arises and we have to change
our plans. I have confidence in all of our athletes and no matter what
injuries or problems occur, we can pull the team together for any
event.”
Mike Berry (Oregon), Sixth Place, Men's 400 meter dash
On the race:
“It felt really good. There was a lot of wind on the back stretch and I could have run faster. There was a lot of good competition.”
On the heat:
“I wanted to conserve my energy but still place in the top three. There are a lot of heats but I wanted to make sure that I advanced. I still had a lot of energy left but I tried to catch as many people as I could on the final stretch.”
On his freshman year so far:
“I am just enjoying the ride and the journey. It's been a long season and I just want to keep progressing.”
Chizoba Okodogbe (Oregon), Eighth Place, Women's 400 meter dash
On her first year:
“I knew I had it in me, I knew it would just take time.”
“In the beginning of the season, I was a bit discouraged because I wasn't hitting my times, than I finally hit my stride and it all came together.”
On lane eight:
“I like lane eight better, I like people chasing me. It pushes me to do better.”
English Gardner (Oregon), Third Place, Women's 100 meter dash
On the race and qualifying:
“I'm going to my first NCAA championship. I'm really excited. I've got a lot of work to do and hopefully we'll come home with a 'W' from NCAA's.”
On listening to the coaches:
“I decided to listen for once and I think it's going to pay off.”
On the upcoming relay:
“We're going to get the baton around the track and that I will not take easy.”
On being the favorite:
“Never. When I first started racing I just wanted to shock the world, get my name out there. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be in the position I'm in.”
Anne Kesselring (Oregon), Third Place, 800 meter run
On the race:
“Coach gave me a lot of room to make my own decision and I just pushed a little too hard too early.”
“It was not my best race so far, but I made it through and that's what really counts.”
“I wish I had a better finish but I just tried to focus on what was in front of me and make up ground.”
On the NCAA:
“The NCAA is really deep, especially in the women's 800 meters. There is really no favorite this year for the title, it's anybody's race and I want to be a factor just like anyone else on the track.”
Laura Roesler (Oregon), Second Place, 800 meter run
On the race:
“I was just concerned with securing my spot. Stephanie made her move and I knew I had to go. I was close to my PR so I was happy.”
On the competitors:
“I love running with tough competitors and keeping up with them. I'm not sure if we pulled away at the end but we were neck and neck towards the finish.”
On pairing with Kesselring:
“We have been working to help each other get through everything here. All that matters is making the NCAA.”
Elijah Greer (Oregon), First Place, 800 meter
On the race:
“I wasn't sure what to expect, I was in good shape and knew I had to go hard and not slow down. I didn't want to kill it, just wanted to take it easy, pump my arms and go. I got a new PR out of it so it was great!”
On the performance:
“My goal wasn't to get a new PR, just to win. Roberts went hard and I knew I had to keep with him.”
On the race:
“1:45 for the NCAA is not bad and definitely gave me a huge confidence booster. I feel like I could have went faster but I am happy with how it went.”
Justin Frick (Oregon), 11th Place, High Jump
On performance:
“I was cutting in close in the warm-up and actually didn't make the bar. I wasn't feeling the best but I just kept telling myself that I could do it and had to get through it.”
On jump:
“The rain was getting to all of the guys out there and I just had to tell myself that the rain was not an excuse to do poorly. Switching to my old technique definitely helped.”
On performance:
“I felt great after the Pac 10 and can't wait to do well at NCAA.”
Melissa Gergel (Oregon), Second Place, Pole Vault
On her performance:
“No misses was good, I am super pumped because my roommate Jordan (Roskelley) made it too. She's my roommate.
On warm-ups:
“Warmups were a little tough because there was bad wind. Once the competition started though the wind switched and there was a tail wind, so I lucked out”
On her senior year:
“I just want to compete and go after it for my senior year. I am ready to go get more solid training in before Des Moines.”
Jordan Roskelley (Oregon), Eighth Place, Pole Vault
On the event:
“It was my first meet, so I was really surprised to make it and I am so excited to continue and be with the team.”
On the conditions:
“The conditions were rough but we knew that they would be when we went in to the event and were prepared for it. I just relaxed and had fun and I'll try to do the same for the NCAA's.”
Melanie Thompson (Oregon), Fourth Place, 3000 Meter Steeplechase
On her shoes coming untied during the race:
“I was freaking out a little bit but I just looked at my coach and he told me to just keep going. I would try to look down at them every once in awhile to see if they were coming off more, but I just had to keep going.”
“Every runner at some point in their career has something like this happen. It was stressful but I just kept going.”
On the crowd cheering:
“It was a moment I will always remember, it was loud. It helped me a lot because when you hear noise at Hayward you know it's for you.”
Claire Michel (Oregon), 3000 Meter Steeplechase
On the race:
“I qualified! I felt comfortable and the weather cooperated, which was really nice. Lanie took it out, I was surprised, I took a peak back and knew I would qualify. I am excited to set a new PR at the NCAA's.”
On teammate:
“I think Lanie will break any record that I set. She is great and an awesome teammate. She talented and I am really impressed by her. I'll be in the stands cheering her on next year.”
Steve Finley (Oregon), Third Place, 3000 meter steeplechase
On the race:
“I knew the heat would be tough with Johnson from Stanford running with me and a few other guys. I got lucky because they set the pace and I was able to keep up. It was a lot of pressure but I had fun out there.”
“I love running at Hayward. I don't think I had to kick as hard as I predicted. I just want to win nationals and go on for the USA wearing the Oregon bib.”
Jordan Stray (Oregon), Fifth Place, Hammer Throw
On the event:
“I felt good at the start. My first throw put me in third place and then I got bumped down to fifth, but I met my goal and qualified.”
On the NCAA:
“I missed getting to be on the podium last year because my throw was a few centimeters short, so I am hoping that I can beat it and come out strong this time. There is a big group of us and we are all great competitors. It is going to come down to who shows up that day.”
Players Mentioned
