Day 4 Quotes - NCAA Track and Field Championships
DAY 4 QUOTES -
NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sat., June 12 - Historic Hayward Field
----------------------------
Pat Henry – Texas A&M Coach
On the long jump:
“We thought we should have scored in the long jump. But that’s how National Championships happen. You can’t say you’re going to go in and win, it doesn’t work that way here.”
On the women’s team:
“The relay starts the meet off. The enthusiasm from that win was important. Enthusiasm is key in that sport, which is why the relay is first. We got the enthusiasm going high on the women’s side early. The enthusiasm in the men was a little lower.”
On the meet:
“It’s all about a task and doing what you’re supposed to do.”
On coming into today:
“I was proud coming in to today because regardless where we started today it’s all about consistency.”
----------------------------
Vin Lananna – Oregon
On the meet:
“I think home field advantage was not a home field advantage necessarily. Although it was a great crowd. You have one extra thing added to the competition. It’s both good and bad.”
“It was a fantastic meet. Athletes did really well. A great crowd - really supportive. Track Town USA is really awesome especially with the record crowd.”
On the women:
“I’m glad we got second, I’m proud of them because second is not bad. Jordan Hasay and the 4x400 relay girls did a great job today.”
On the men’s team:
“We did a great job. Getting 1, 2, 3 in the 1500m was awesome. Ashton Eaton did fantastic.”
On Ashton Eaton:
“He was great all season. I was really proud of him. He was really tight today and his calves were rock hard. We decided to have him sit because we didn’t want to ruin his career. Especially with someone like Ashton who’s given his heart and soul to Track and Field.”
On the 1500m:
“It was fantastic going 1, 2, 3 in the 1500m. We definitely thought that was possible. We were aiming for it, but each had their own plan.”
On the seniors:
“Marshall Ackley showed courage yesterday. Him and all the seniors have so much character and have brought back Track and Field to Oregon. The seniors went out great today, Andrew Wheating sweeping the 800 and the 1500m and Ashton doing fantastic in the decathlon.”
----------------------------
Demetrius Pinder – Texas A&M
Men’s 4x400m Relay (1st Place)
On the relay win:
“It’s my first time to get this championship so I am really excited. All of us are really happy. It’s not a one man thing – we all have worked hard to get this title. We ran at Oregon a few weeks ago so it helped us get used to the time difference and weather. Fans here cheer everyone so it didn’t bother me to run against Oregon.”
----------------------------
Keshia Baker – Oregon
Women’s 4x400m Relay (1st Place)
On the relay:
“We were in a great position to attack today and I was happy to be able to contribute to what my teammates did. The last hundred meters, the crowd just carried me through the finish line. I’ve been blessed this whole season. It’s been a really amazing year. My freshman year no one has even thought we could do that. I am so thankful for my team.”
----------------------------
Marquise Goodwin – Texas
Men’s Long Jump (1st Place)
On the win:
“It feels great. I just thank god for giving me the ability to be out here today.”
On the winning jump:
“It was my first jump. I didn’t even hit the board I just had my adrenaline pumping. I gave it my all. That’s what you have to do out here with all these guys. I’m just thankful to be out here really.”
----------------------------
Blessing Okagbare – UTEP
Women’s Long Jump (1st Place)
On the day:
“It was ok, that’s all I had to win for today, I’m ok with it.”
On the year:
“I had my best season. I’m really happy. I finished the year well for UTEP so I’m happy with it. Right now I’m the NCAA champion, everything came together.
On the crowd:
“They were awesome!”
On completing the double:
“I was hoping, wishing and praying for it.”
----------------------------
Evelien Dekkers – Florida
Women’s Javelin (1st Place)
On the winning throw:
“It just kept going, all of my throws felt good today.”
On winning:
“I was thinking 57 all year but it never really happened. At the meets I’ve been so amped up but today I was relaxed and I’m just glad to do it today. I’m really excited.”
----------------------------
Ryan Whiting – Arizona State
Men’s Shot Put (1st Place)
On the last throw:
“I was thinking don’t think about the record, just throw your best. I got the best throw of my career on my last throw of my career. I’m happy about that.”
On the year:
“It was a good year overall. I was happy that I was able to stay healthy the whole year.”
On winning both the discus and the shot put:
“I wasn’t expecting to win the discus as well. But I couldn’t have asked for more to win both at Nationals.”
----------------------------
David McNeill – Northern Arizona
Men’s 5,000m (1st Place)
On the race:
“It was a bit frustrating because I couldn’t really use the TV. I really wanted to win. Gritted the teeth and tried to hold on to the finish line. Glad to be the first one across.”
“I was just glad it wasn’t a really, really fast race. I was ready to have a PR if I needed to.”
On the crowd:
“It was a great crowd, having them so close to the track. It was great to be a part of.
----------------------------
Jordan McNamara – Oregon
Men’s 5,000m (8th Place)
On the race:
“Considering the injuries I’ve had this year I’m happy with 8th place in this race.”
Last race at Hayward:
“It was my last race at Hayward in the yellow and green, but it was a good way to go out. I’m just excited to go to USA’s now.”
“I feel good based on the fact that I gave it everything I could. But it was tough going from 6th to 8th place when we really needed those.”
----------------------------
Queen Quedith Harrison – Virginia Tech
Women’s 100m Hurdles (1st Place)
On her second win:
“To win both events in hurdles has been my goal since freshman year. Words can’t describe how it feels – simply great. I think of all my races as if they were a final. It really helps me in situations like this today and it doesn’t affect me as much. Once I got to the fourth hurdle, I really felt myself separated from the rest of the runners. It wasn’t my best time, but you take a “w” when you can get one.”
----------------------------
Andrew Riley – Illinois
Men’s 110m Hurdles (1st Place)
On his win:
“I am happy about the win. I feel like I fully used my speed today. We are prepared for false starts so it didn’t really distract me. I ran under no pressure, just for fun. I am going back to working hard. This championship really motivated me.”
----------------------------
Bridget Franek – Penn State
Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase (1st Place)
On the race:
“I was just trying to enjoy it, compete, be ready for anything.”
“It feels good and the team is actually doing pretty well so that feels good to be able to help.”
“I want to continue running for sure.”
----------------------------
Rondel Sorrillo – Kentucky
Men’s 200m (1st Place)
On the race:
“I was disappointed in the 4x100. I don’t like dropping the stick. So I had to come back mentally and hold it together for the 200.”
On the weather:
“The race could have been faster with nicer weather, but I think we still ran well.”
On being the 200 meter champion:
“It hasn’t hit me yet that I’m the 200 meter champion. Maybe it will later, but the season is so long it just feels like I’m running just another race.”
----------------------------
Porscha Lucas – Texas A&M
Women’s 200m (1st Place)
On her win:
“This win makes my day even better. After all the injuries I suffered, winning the championship means so much to me. Things have really turned around for us. It was a good and tough race. Everyone in it wanted to win. I knew I needed to get after it and keep my composure. It was also important to us as a team to be in the finals. It helps our confidence.”
----------------------------
Andrew Wheating – Oregon
Men’s 1,500m (1st Place)
“If it was 3 to 4 meters longer I probably would have gone from 1st to 5th.”
On where this stacks up:
“To cross the finish line 1-2-3 blows everything away.”
On the finish:
“I saw Centro take off. I knew he was going to finish strong. Down the last 100m I just had to grit my teeth and finish strong. I could see Centro and I felt a presence over my shoulder, I didn’t know it was A.J. though. I got the results and I was so happy.”
“I felt my legs moving faster and faster at the finish line. It was like I hit the tape and all these flashbacks and my college career was over and I didn’t want to believe it.”
On pre race motivation:
“I told them, ‘this is our home town, there's 11,000 people out there cheering us on let’s give ‘em a show. I’m not losing to anyone other than a duck’.”
----------------------------
A.J. Acosta – Oregon
Men’s 1,500m (2nd Place)
On getting second:
“This race could have been a little better for me. At some point no one was leading so the three of us decided to move up to the front. With 150 meters to go I heard the crowd cheering us and I thought I could still win this. I was close on winning in heart, but Andrew (Wheating) just had some extra strength. I am very happy three Oregon guys got top three spots.”
----------------------------
Matthew Centrowitz – Oregon
Men’s 1,500m (3rd Place)
On the finish:
“The coaches were telling us before that we had a chance. We all knew it was realistic to finish 1-2-3. We all had different strategies but it all worked out down the stretch.”
“I made my move with 150m to go. I didn’t feel my greatest. I glanced up with 100 to go and was just glad it was my teammates.”
----------------------------
Charlotte Browning – Florida
Women’s 1,500m (1st Place)
On the race:
“I knew it was going to be a really exciting race, it was such a great field. There was a lot of sprinting down the stretch.”
“I’m just so pleased. It’s my last race at Florida. It was a great day.”
On Jordan Hasay:
“As a freshman she ran a really great race. She made it hard for everyone and with the crowd behind her, it was a really brave race.”
----------------------------
Jordan Hasay – Oregon
Women’s 1,500m (3rd Place)
On the race:
“I was trying to do my best to win points for my team. I didn’t even think I’d get into the finals and I got here so this was great. I wasn’t really here today, I don’t like to lose, but I’m glad I got points for my team.”
On running at Oregon:
“I love running here. It’s been awesome, such a great experience. In high school I kind of just ran for myself, but it’s been great having a team to run with. I always check how they are doing, I love being part of the Oregon team.”
----------------------------
Jeff Demps – Florida
Men’s 4x100m Relay (1st Place)
On the race:
“I was trying to keep up with the A&M guy, and then they had a bad pass and I saw them drop the baton.”
On the week:
“It’s been fine.”
On Texas A&M dropping the baton:
“Doesn’t matter if they dropped it, we still won. A win’s a win.”
----------------------------
Elizabeth Adeoti – Texas A&M
Women’s 4x100m Relay (1st Place)
On the race:
“We knew we couldn’t risk not winning. It was expected of us. We just stayed positive throughout the race and just used the abilities that God gave us. My teammates told me to run for my life. So that’s what I did. They said they’d set it up for me and all I’d have to do was finish it up to win.”
On her teammates:
“My teammates are great, I wish they could have been up at the podium with me, but I’m proud that all three get to compete in the 200m. Everyone saw what they did for me and how they set it up for me.”
On team the title:
“We want the team title so bad. We have so much doubt cast upon us that we just want to prove that we can win. Last night Coach Henry broke down where we can score and where Oregon and LSU could score, and the 4x100 relay was one event we had to win. It’s going to be a battle back and forth all day for the title.”
----------------------------
Mandy White – Oregon
Women’s 4x100m Relay (3rd Place)
On Oregon getting third:
“We had a great run and we are so happy that we came in third. We knew the weather wouldn’t be too hot in the morning, but unlike other teams we are used to it here. We all had good hand-offs. In every race, we try to edge other teams out. I feel great now. I’ve been working really hard and this was a successful meet for me.”
----------------------------
Sat., June 12 - Historic Hayward Field
----------------------------
Pat Henry – Texas A&M Coach
On the long jump:
“We thought we should have scored in the long jump. But that’s how National Championships happen. You can’t say you’re going to go in and win, it doesn’t work that way here.”
On the women’s team:
“The relay starts the meet off. The enthusiasm from that win was important. Enthusiasm is key in that sport, which is why the relay is first. We got the enthusiasm going high on the women’s side early. The enthusiasm in the men was a little lower.”
On the meet:
“It’s all about a task and doing what you’re supposed to do.”
On coming into today:
“I was proud coming in to today because regardless where we started today it’s all about consistency.”
----------------------------
Vin Lananna – Oregon
On the meet:
“I think home field advantage was not a home field advantage necessarily. Although it was a great crowd. You have one extra thing added to the competition. It’s both good and bad.”
“It was a fantastic meet. Athletes did really well. A great crowd - really supportive. Track Town USA is really awesome especially with the record crowd.”
On the women:
“I’m glad we got second, I’m proud of them because second is not bad. Jordan Hasay and the 4x400 relay girls did a great job today.”
On the men’s team:
“We did a great job. Getting 1, 2, 3 in the 1500m was awesome. Ashton Eaton did fantastic.”
On Ashton Eaton:
“He was great all season. I was really proud of him. He was really tight today and his calves were rock hard. We decided to have him sit because we didn’t want to ruin his career. Especially with someone like Ashton who’s given his heart and soul to Track and Field.”
On the 1500m:
“It was fantastic going 1, 2, 3 in the 1500m. We definitely thought that was possible. We were aiming for it, but each had their own plan.”
On the seniors:
“Marshall Ackley showed courage yesterday. Him and all the seniors have so much character and have brought back Track and Field to Oregon. The seniors went out great today, Andrew Wheating sweeping the 800 and the 1500m and Ashton doing fantastic in the decathlon.”
----------------------------
Demetrius Pinder – Texas A&M
Men’s 4x400m Relay (1st Place)
On the relay win:
“It’s my first time to get this championship so I am really excited. All of us are really happy. It’s not a one man thing – we all have worked hard to get this title. We ran at Oregon a few weeks ago so it helped us get used to the time difference and weather. Fans here cheer everyone so it didn’t bother me to run against Oregon.”
----------------------------
Keshia Baker – Oregon
Women’s 4x400m Relay (1st Place)
On the relay:
“We were in a great position to attack today and I was happy to be able to contribute to what my teammates did. The last hundred meters, the crowd just carried me through the finish line. I’ve been blessed this whole season. It’s been a really amazing year. My freshman year no one has even thought we could do that. I am so thankful for my team.”
----------------------------
Marquise Goodwin – Texas
Men’s Long Jump (1st Place)
On the win:
“It feels great. I just thank god for giving me the ability to be out here today.”
On the winning jump:
“It was my first jump. I didn’t even hit the board I just had my adrenaline pumping. I gave it my all. That’s what you have to do out here with all these guys. I’m just thankful to be out here really.”
----------------------------
Blessing Okagbare – UTEP
Women’s Long Jump (1st Place)
On the day:
“It was ok, that’s all I had to win for today, I’m ok with it.”
On the year:
“I had my best season. I’m really happy. I finished the year well for UTEP so I’m happy with it. Right now I’m the NCAA champion, everything came together.
On the crowd:
“They were awesome!”
On completing the double:
“I was hoping, wishing and praying for it.”
----------------------------
Evelien Dekkers – Florida
Women’s Javelin (1st Place)
On the winning throw:
“It just kept going, all of my throws felt good today.”
On winning:
“I was thinking 57 all year but it never really happened. At the meets I’ve been so amped up but today I was relaxed and I’m just glad to do it today. I’m really excited.”
----------------------------
Ryan Whiting – Arizona State
Men’s Shot Put (1st Place)
On the last throw:
“I was thinking don’t think about the record, just throw your best. I got the best throw of my career on my last throw of my career. I’m happy about that.”
On the year:
“It was a good year overall. I was happy that I was able to stay healthy the whole year.”
On winning both the discus and the shot put:
“I wasn’t expecting to win the discus as well. But I couldn’t have asked for more to win both at Nationals.”
----------------------------
David McNeill – Northern Arizona
Men’s 5,000m (1st Place)
On the race:
“It was a bit frustrating because I couldn’t really use the TV. I really wanted to win. Gritted the teeth and tried to hold on to the finish line. Glad to be the first one across.”
“I was just glad it wasn’t a really, really fast race. I was ready to have a PR if I needed to.”
On the crowd:
“It was a great crowd, having them so close to the track. It was great to be a part of.
----------------------------
Jordan McNamara – Oregon
Men’s 5,000m (8th Place)
On the race:
“Considering the injuries I’ve had this year I’m happy with 8th place in this race.”
Last race at Hayward:
“It was my last race at Hayward in the yellow and green, but it was a good way to go out. I’m just excited to go to USA’s now.”
“I feel good based on the fact that I gave it everything I could. But it was tough going from 6th to 8th place when we really needed those.”
----------------------------
Queen Quedith Harrison – Virginia Tech
Women’s 100m Hurdles (1st Place)
On her second win:
“To win both events in hurdles has been my goal since freshman year. Words can’t describe how it feels – simply great. I think of all my races as if they were a final. It really helps me in situations like this today and it doesn’t affect me as much. Once I got to the fourth hurdle, I really felt myself separated from the rest of the runners. It wasn’t my best time, but you take a “w” when you can get one.”
----------------------------
Andrew Riley – Illinois
Men’s 110m Hurdles (1st Place)
On his win:
“I am happy about the win. I feel like I fully used my speed today. We are prepared for false starts so it didn’t really distract me. I ran under no pressure, just for fun. I am going back to working hard. This championship really motivated me.”
----------------------------
Bridget Franek – Penn State
Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase (1st Place)
On the race:
“I was just trying to enjoy it, compete, be ready for anything.”
“It feels good and the team is actually doing pretty well so that feels good to be able to help.”
“I want to continue running for sure.”
----------------------------
Rondel Sorrillo – Kentucky
Men’s 200m (1st Place)
On the race:
“I was disappointed in the 4x100. I don’t like dropping the stick. So I had to come back mentally and hold it together for the 200.”
On the weather:
“The race could have been faster with nicer weather, but I think we still ran well.”
On being the 200 meter champion:
“It hasn’t hit me yet that I’m the 200 meter champion. Maybe it will later, but the season is so long it just feels like I’m running just another race.”
----------------------------
Porscha Lucas – Texas A&M
Women’s 200m (1st Place)
On her win:
“This win makes my day even better. After all the injuries I suffered, winning the championship means so much to me. Things have really turned around for us. It was a good and tough race. Everyone in it wanted to win. I knew I needed to get after it and keep my composure. It was also important to us as a team to be in the finals. It helps our confidence.”
----------------------------
Andrew Wheating – Oregon
Men’s 1,500m (1st Place)
“If it was 3 to 4 meters longer I probably would have gone from 1st to 5th.”
On where this stacks up:
“To cross the finish line 1-2-3 blows everything away.”
On the finish:
“I saw Centro take off. I knew he was going to finish strong. Down the last 100m I just had to grit my teeth and finish strong. I could see Centro and I felt a presence over my shoulder, I didn’t know it was A.J. though. I got the results and I was so happy.”
“I felt my legs moving faster and faster at the finish line. It was like I hit the tape and all these flashbacks and my college career was over and I didn’t want to believe it.”
On pre race motivation:
“I told them, ‘this is our home town, there's 11,000 people out there cheering us on let’s give ‘em a show. I’m not losing to anyone other than a duck’.”
----------------------------
A.J. Acosta – Oregon
Men’s 1,500m (2nd Place)
On getting second:
“This race could have been a little better for me. At some point no one was leading so the three of us decided to move up to the front. With 150 meters to go I heard the crowd cheering us and I thought I could still win this. I was close on winning in heart, but Andrew (Wheating) just had some extra strength. I am very happy three Oregon guys got top three spots.”
----------------------------
Matthew Centrowitz – Oregon
Men’s 1,500m (3rd Place)
On the finish:
“The coaches were telling us before that we had a chance. We all knew it was realistic to finish 1-2-3. We all had different strategies but it all worked out down the stretch.”
“I made my move with 150m to go. I didn’t feel my greatest. I glanced up with 100 to go and was just glad it was my teammates.”
----------------------------
Charlotte Browning – Florida
Women’s 1,500m (1st Place)
On the race:
“I knew it was going to be a really exciting race, it was such a great field. There was a lot of sprinting down the stretch.”
“I’m just so pleased. It’s my last race at Florida. It was a great day.”
On Jordan Hasay:
“As a freshman she ran a really great race. She made it hard for everyone and with the crowd behind her, it was a really brave race.”
----------------------------
Jordan Hasay – Oregon
Women’s 1,500m (3rd Place)
On the race:
“I was trying to do my best to win points for my team. I didn’t even think I’d get into the finals and I got here so this was great. I wasn’t really here today, I don’t like to lose, but I’m glad I got points for my team.”
On running at Oregon:
“I love running here. It’s been awesome, such a great experience. In high school I kind of just ran for myself, but it’s been great having a team to run with. I always check how they are doing, I love being part of the Oregon team.”
----------------------------
Jeff Demps – Florida
Men’s 4x100m Relay (1st Place)
On the race:
“I was trying to keep up with the A&M guy, and then they had a bad pass and I saw them drop the baton.”
On the week:
“It’s been fine.”
On Texas A&M dropping the baton:
“Doesn’t matter if they dropped it, we still won. A win’s a win.”
----------------------------
Elizabeth Adeoti – Texas A&M
Women’s 4x100m Relay (1st Place)
On the race:
“We knew we couldn’t risk not winning. It was expected of us. We just stayed positive throughout the race and just used the abilities that God gave us. My teammates told me to run for my life. So that’s what I did. They said they’d set it up for me and all I’d have to do was finish it up to win.”
On her teammates:
“My teammates are great, I wish they could have been up at the podium with me, but I’m proud that all three get to compete in the 200m. Everyone saw what they did for me and how they set it up for me.”
On team the title:
“We want the team title so bad. We have so much doubt cast upon us that we just want to prove that we can win. Last night Coach Henry broke down where we can score and where Oregon and LSU could score, and the 4x100 relay was one event we had to win. It’s going to be a battle back and forth all day for the title.”
----------------------------
Mandy White – Oregon
Women’s 4x100m Relay (3rd Place)
On Oregon getting third:
“We had a great run and we are so happy that we came in third. We knew the weather wouldn’t be too hot in the morning, but unlike other teams we are used to it here. We all had good hand-offs. In every race, we try to edge other teams out. I feel great now. I’ve been working really hard and this was a successful meet for me.”
----------------------------
