Pepsi Team Invitational Athlete Quotes
Ryan Brown, Washington, 800m, First Place, 1:49.45 “The main goal was to get a regional qualifier and break 1:50.40. The NCAA indoor title last month was great, but I’ve been trying to reset my mentality and start over. I’m a senior so I have a couple months left, so I’m trying to stay focused on what I need to do to be at my best. Anybody can win the 800m at nationals, so I’m just training hard as being as good as shape as I can be in. Down the road this year I want to run 1:45, so there’s a lot of work to do. I love competing here - it’s like Eugene is my second home. This is the Mecca for Track and Field and it’s a pleasure to compete here.”
Nicole Blood, Oregon, 1st, 5,000m, 16:39.89 “It was a great race. Keara and I wanted to switch leading because of the wind, and we did a good job of that, and of staying in the low 80’s on our laps. Normally, I like the mile more. 12 1/2 laps is a lot of laps, but laps at Hayward Field are a lot more enjoyable then on other tracks.. I’ll run 50 more at Hayward.”
Morgan Bonds, Kansas State, 800m, Second Place/Top Collegian, 2:07.51 “The first 400m was a little slower than I wanted to go out in, but it was a long day so it’s OK. I was supposed to come out and try and run comfortable and just get to the 600m mark, so I think I did a pretty good job of that. The conditions were fine, and being from Kansas I’m used to having to deal with a little wind. I wanted to try to start kicking with 120m to go and last as long as I could. I’m happy with the time and shape I’m in at this point of the season. This has been the most fun meet of the season including indoors, and we were so excited just walking in.”
Candice Davis, USC, 100m Hurdles, First Place, 13.23 (w:-3.8). Meet Record “My race was pretty awful. The time schedule was right on, so I was a little hurried getting ready. Then my blocks shifted in the start so I had to raise my hand. You always know that there’s a chance to have days like this, so it’s good to sort through it and still perform OK. I wasn’t happy with my time, but I was happy that I regained my composure. It was good to run here early in the year to get ready for the regional. This was also a good warm-up for the UCLA dual meet because that’s a very intense rivalry. I love the Oregon crowd. They know who you are, and they’re so supportive, even early when it was cold and rainy. They love us and give us so much confidence.”
Carol Rodriguez, USC, 100m/200m/4x100m/4x400m, Meet Record in All Four Events “In the 200m, I felt a little awkward, and a little off. I just wanted to come out and take advantage of the track. It’s all a build-up for the NCAA Championships.”
Rachel Yurkovich, Oregon, Javelin, First Place, 174-2, Meet Record “The wind was changing here and there, but overall it was OK to deal with. Physically, I felt a little tired. I got one out there, and that was about it today. We’ve been training pretty hard coming in, so I’m not that surprised I didn’t feel great. Coach (Deal) said not to worry about the mark and just focus on my technique.It was nice to be back home, I always enjoy throwing in front of this crowd. It’s been a big month (as the new collegiate leader), but I didn’t worry about that once the competition started, just focus on what I could do.”
