West Regional Day 1 Athlete Quotes & Interviews
EUGENE - This link contains Day 1 Athlete Quotes from Friday's NCAA West Regional, hosted by the University of Oregon at Hayward Field.
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Vin Lannana, Oregon coach
"A good day. I am not sure that I could have asked for a better day. Everyone advanced, except I would have liked to have another 5,000 runner besides Rupp. The kids did a great job andit appeared that they enjoyed what they were doing. I was glad to see Tommy Skipper do well in final Oregon performance at Hayward. I would like to see him go out a champion. He has been a champion since he arrived here."
Galen Rupp, Oregon, winner of the men's 5,000
"It was good to win, but it was bittersweet. The goal was to get three Oregon guys qualified to Nationals. The guys just didn't have a kick today. I felt OK, but honestly I am tired. I wanted to close in 1:58, so I was just a second off. I am starting to get used to running with others at the end. I expected someone to be there with 100 meters to go. We are still considering my options for Nationals - 5,000, 10,000 or both."
Tommy Skipper, Oregon, winner of the men's pole vault with a personal best of 19-1/4
"All the credit goes to the Lord, as this is a true testimony of what the Lord can do. I am very pleased with my performance, but none of my vaults felt technically very good. My coach told me to just focus on three things and do them right, which I did. I am trying to not get too optimistic and continue to keep my focus. My training is at a very high level and I am working harder than I ever have. I am planning on being back in Eugene in 2008 for the Olympic trials. It was emotionally today as I close out my Oregon career. I truly appreciate all of the Oregon fans and everything that they have done for me during my time here. This community is what makes Oregon track great. This is the best place I have ever jumped."
Brian Richotte, Oregon, winner of men’s hammer throw
“I started a little rough and I definitely had last year’s regional problems in my head. Once I knew that I locked up a 12th place finish I kind of went after it. It was relief when I knew that I had qualified for Sacramento. I think that you have to be able to win the PAC-10 and the Western regional to have a chance to win the NCAAs. This is a good time of the year to be throwing my best. I am focusing on technique and that is when I usually throw my best.
Rachel Yurkovich, Oregon, Winner of Women’s Javelin
“My goal going in was to take one throw that would put in me the top five, and I just prayed it’d be a good one. After I threw, I was confident that the throw would hold.
When the girl from Eastern Washington (Carolee Guiterrez) threw I was concerned that she may catch me. Fortunately, it worked out. It was nice to watch the others throw, but it was hard to not be competing. I’m not a huge fan of this format.”
Mike McGrath, Oregon third place qualifier second 1500.heat
“I ran the race according to the plan I had coming into it. I made my move at the perfect time. In a prelim like this, the time doesn’t matter. I just want to be in the top five so I can qualify for nationals. I don’t know what time that’ll take.”
AJ Acosta, Oregon , third place qualifier in the first 1500 heat.
“My spikes didn’t fit, so I had to wear a thirteen and fourteen size spike. I felt like it was a disadvantage to run in the first heat, because I didn’t know what I needed to run. I ran a good race, I went out slow. But I put myself in the best position to qualify. The last hundred and fifty meters were a strain, as I tired to run down (Laef ) Barnes, whose a great competitor. I knew that (David) Torrance, and (David) Heat would be tough.”
Lopez Lomong, Northern Arizona, winner of the third heat of 1,500 with the fastest qualifying time.
“I am happy with winning my heat, but I have tired legs due to some difficult training in the past week. My focus is qualifying for Nationals. This my second chance to run in Eugene and the track feels fast and the crowd was great.
