Pac-12 Championships Final Quotes
05/13/12 | Track and Field
Men's 4x100 Relay
2nd Place - De'Anthony Thomas (Oregon)
On his race...
“[Dior Mathis] had a great start and it was up to me to just finish it off. We helped the team out, put in points, so that's great. I was happy to go 40 flat.”
On improving...
“I'm just trying to stay healthy and everyday I just have to improve. [Yesterday's race] motivated me to just work harder. I have great chemistry with my teammates and I'm really proud.”
Men's 4x100 Relay
2nd place - Dior Mathis (Oregon)
On performance...
“As the second leg I got out well, and took it from there.”
On contributing to team...
“We've been running fast all year. We were projected sixth but proved everybody wrong that we are just as fast as the other guys.”
On De'Anthony Thomas...
“He is the reason we are wearing this medal. He is a big contributor. He brings more speed than I've ever seen. He's another type of fast. His anchor leg was amazing.”
Women's 1500 Meter Run
2nd place - Katie Flood (Washington)
On her race...
"It went out slow. I was looking to run faster. The last two laps I didn't quite have the kick I wanted."
On competing at Hayward...
"It's always loud with the crowd coming down the stretch. It's fun. I love racing here."
Women's 1500 Meter Run
4th place - Anne Kesselring (Oregon)
On race...
“The first 100m was really slow seeing who would try to stay and compete. It was not quite the time I wanted, but thought I need to fight hard and keep it going. With 1,4, and 5 (places) it's ok.”
On racing at Hayward...
“To compete at home I can't help but be excited. I just did what I could today, but it's ok I did my job.”
Women's 1500 Meter Run
5th place - Laura Carlyle (OSU)
On race...
“I'm happy with it. I'm starting to get my legs back. It feels like things are starting to click. I'm feeling speedy, so I'll stick with that over the 5k.”
Men's Hammer Throw
1st Place - Alec Faldermeyer (UCLA)
On his throw...
“I didn't have too great of throws, I threw 217 and 219, but I got the win so all in all I'm happy with it.”
On the NCAA...
“I'm excited for the NCAA. I'm not going in thinking I'm happy with third. I'm going to fight for the win.”
Men's 110m Hurdles
1st place - Jonahthan Cabral (Oregon)
On win...
"I'm in my own zone. I started shaky, but made up for it. My mind goes blank and my body takes over. That's where practice comes in."
On first year expectations...
"Going into this year I planned to go in and do the best I could."
On Pac-12 Championship...
"I hope it's a close finish with us leaning a little bit more."
Men's Triple Jump
1st place - Chris Benard (ASU)
On win...
"It feels good, but I know it's not enough. My final goal is to go to the Olympics."
"Words can't describe how good it feels."
Men's Triple Jump
3rd place - Nick Ross (Arizona)
On competing...
"It's a blessing to come out and compete in all three events (triple Jump, high jump, long jump) and place top three in all. Overall it was a great weekend."
Women's Pole Vault
1st place - Katerina Stefanidi (Stanford)
On 3rd straight title...
"I like to think about it as my first Pac-12 title. Today was much harder than I thought it would be. I'm glad I got myself together and performed how I should have."
On Hayward...
"It is amazing weather, and an amazing audience. Now I'm really trying to get to the Olympics and I just need another half inch."
Women's 4x100 Relay
1st place - Amber Purvis (Oregon)
On the win...
"The 4x100 is my favorite. I love it so much, so I could not be happier with it."
On her goals...
"Right now the most important thing is getting points for my team. After that, it's working on myself. My back is a little shaky, but I'm working through it."
On competing...
"I'm really excited to be back out here with the fans cheering me on. It means a lot to me and I love everyone here."
Men's 800 Meter Run
1st place - Elijah Greer (Oregon)
On win...
"I had to work to get back in position and fight until the last stretch. I thought I got him and then he fought back, but I said there was no way I was going to lose this. I gave everything I had. I was very tired afterwards."
On close race...
"I had to battle people out. Today I absolutely had to win, but it was a fight and I felt the straign. I definately heard the crowd, and I thought there is no way I can lose this. For the fans I wanted to give a show and work hard. You can't always control the outcome, but I'll give everything I can. I want to be in the moment and leave nothing behind."
Women's 800 Meter Run
2nd place - Becca Friday (Oregon)
On 2nd place...
"I just felt good. I felt like I was too far back, but it worked out. I'm so proud of our girls."
On her race...
"I saw [Claudia Francis] coming up and she motivated me to just keep going. I tried to glance up on the big screen, but I couldn't see anything really, but normally I don't look up at the screen. I just focus on who's in front of me and keep running."
Women's 800 Meter Run
3rd place - Claudia Francis (Oregon)
On her goal for the race...
"I just wanted to place top three and I did. I was trying to push and do my best. I was patient and trained hard. It was all very overwhelming."
Women's 800 Meter Run
1st place - Laura Roesler (Oregon)
On team win...
"I executed how I was supposed to. I stayed relaxed and without Becca's move it wouldn't have worked out for me."
On individual win...
"I couldn't have asked for a better race. Anyone could have taken it. A sweep is a perfect day. (Going through head) Just win the hell out of that last stretch. I felt someone coming from behind, but didn't want to do anything until I crossed the line. I ran in form and heard the crowad and they carred me through the end."
Women's 400 Meter Hurdles
2nd place - Turquoise Thompson (UCLA)
On personal performance...
"Almost all of the hurdles I went over with my right leg, that's very rare. Usually the first five or so I jump with my left. Towards the end I tried to turn it on, but it just wasn't my day."
On looking ahead...
"This is only my third race doing hurdles, and I did ok but I have a lot to improvement to make. I hope to peak at the end of the season, close to the trials. It would have been great to defend the title, but you win some and lose some and I have the bigger picture in mind."
Men's 400 Meter Hurdles
1st place - Amaechi Morton (Stanford)
On win...
"My main goal going in was to get the Pac-12 title. Doing this for four years, I tried to get out well, find my step patern and finish. I knew I was capable of the title."
On personal improvements...
"I broke 49, and I felt pretty relaxed. I'm looking forward to see how I do the rest of the season."
Heading into the NCAA's...
"I have definately struggled, but I feel really good this year. After NCAA's, the situation is still pending, but my ultimate goal is to be going to the Olympics."
Women's 100 Meter Dash
1st place - English Gardner (Oregon)
On her win...
"I'm not used to the heat in oregon, but I got it. I got a great start and I'm just really happy. The lion was finally unleashed."
On Oregon as a team...
"There are a lot of great invidual athletes on the other teams, but people don't realize our team can pull up our boot straps and do it. Don't count us out. We are contenders. We can never lose at our home field. Anywhere else--maybe, but we can't at Hawyward."
Men's 5000 Meter Run
5th place - Luke Puskedra (Oregon)
On today's atmosphere...
"You don't ever see a packed crowd on this side except for regionals or trials. Just to come together, this is what we are working for. I tried to get in position and run for top five today."
On competition...
"I knew it would be close and I tried not to look too much to the boards. I was going in to do my best and then you hope to get lucky."
On way of being lucky at Hayward Field...
"There is some Hayward magic, and it makes the race seem shorter. Trevor (Dunbar) has a history of getting me at the end. I thought 'oh man at least he is on our team.' Getting 4,5, and 6 definately helped out."
Men's 5000 Meter Run
1st place - Chris Derrick (Stanford)
On his race...
"I wanted to move a little further out, but I was boxed in. I wasn't in the best poisition, but I am pleased I was able to finish fast. I am very happy."
On his training...
"I knew if I could have a good healthy season I'd be bale to reach my goals. I need to work on getting the power and the kick at the end. I really used racing as a way to build my speed."
Women's Triple Jump
1st place - Lauryn Newson (Oregon)
On jump...
"I was going out there to have fun. This is my second time jumping, I have never before in my life."
On today's performance...
"It was a busy day, but it paid off not really tired anymore, probably from all the adrenaline. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time and I'm finally getting into the swing of things with a lot of really good practice."
On baton hand off in 4x100...
"I think it was perfect, but I was pretty nervous about that. Thankfully we executed."
On individual accomplishments...
"What makes today different is I did really well in every event. Today feels even better and it's my last time at Hayward field. We got the spirit today."
Women's 5000 Meter Run
1st place - Jessica Tebo (Colorado)
On win...
"With 600m to go I pushed and gave everything I had. Going into the race was really anyone's game. I went in with a plan and tried to execute. The last 100m I didn't have the extra gear, but in the near future I will have it."
On looking ahead...
"It's my third time in two years running this and I'm still working. I'm very thankful for this weekend and thankful for the competitors both in the 1500, and 5k. I'm impressed with the women in the Pac-12. They challenged me to develop into the next level and to get ready for the trials."
Women's High Jump
1st place - Brigetta Barrett (Arizona)
On her jumps...
"After lunch I didn't feel to well, so I didn't know what kind of a day it was going to be. I was trying to get it together, but it was a rough start."
On preparing for meets...
"My coach reminds me the only thing you can control is yourself, so it's important that I control how I react to things I can't control like the weather and getting sick. Obviously the olympic trials is the big goal, but every meet is just as important. I try to take things one step at a time."
Men's 4x100 Relay
3rd place- Mike Berry (Oregon)
On the men winning...
"Everybody thought we were the underdogs coming in, but we knew what we had to do.We wanted to come out here and compete to the best of our ability and bring a sixth campionship back here to Oregon."
On the 4x100 relay...
"I just wanted to make the fans proud, I wasn't too thrilled with how I did in the 400 so I wanted to come out here and make them proud of me. I kind of feel like I let them down, I wanted to go out and run to the best of my abilities."
On the 400...
"I went too early, it's only my second outdoor race and I got a little anxious to go. Instead of waiting, I just went for it, it was a good race, but I just got tight at the end."
1st Place Women's 1,500 Meters - Jordan Hasay (Oregon)
On pace for race...
"I was waiting until the final 100 before I kicked it into gear. I kept looking behind me to make sure that I didn't go too early."
On season thus far...
"The season may not have gone the way that I wanted to, but winning today sure made it sweet."
Women's 200 Meter Dash
1st place - Phyllis Francis
On today's performance...
"I wasn't expecting it today, especially to PR. My main goal was to PR and then get as many points for my team."
On kick in 4x400m relay...
"Around 150m, I thought it's time to kick in and catch up. When I panic it restricts my body so I try to stay relaxed. At about the 50m I knew I had it."
On future goal...
"I would like to get to 51 mid, 51 low. I'm gradually getting there, but I'm being patient. Everything will come in good time."
On 200m performance...
"I'm really happy what I've done. Two PRs in two days is great."
Head Coach Vin Lanana
On winning the Pac-12 Championships...
"The women really dominated. I didn't imagine we would score 200 points, even in my wildest dreams. I hadn't anticipated that at all; I thought we would get around 170."
"Robert Johnson has done so much with our women sprinters."
"We just wanted to have a chance at the first day. The guys came through in flying colors."
"We are a part of a great conference. ASU and USC are great teams and they have great athletes. It looks to be a lot bigger margin than it was at 2:30pm. I'm very proud of these kids, our staff, and even though it is great to host, it is tough to host too. Still, to win the final Pac-10 Championship, and first Pac-12 Championship is great."
Players Mentioned
