Two of Incoming Longhorns named Gatorade Female T & F State Athletes of the Year

A’Lexus Brannon (Beaumont, Texas) and Briana Nelson (Greenville, S.C.) pick up national awards and join the Horns in 2010.

AUSTIN, Texas – Incoming freshmen A’Lexus Brannon (Beaumont, Texas) and Briana Nelson (Greenville, S.C.) have been named the Gatorade Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year for their respective states for the 2009-10 season.

Brannon, a triple and long jumper who also runs the 100m hurdles, had a dominant senior year at Beaumont Ozen High School as she swept the two jumping events at the Texas Relays, the Texas Class 4A State Championship and most recently at the New Balance Nationals.  Brannon also currently holds the top high school girls triple jump mark in the nation (42-0.75).

Nelson, a 400m sprinter out of South Carolina, most recently claimed her first national title after winning the quarter mile at the New Balance Nationals in 53.14. At the 2010 South Carolina High School AAA Championships, Nelson swept the 100m, 200m and 400m titles. She also held the top 200m and 400m times in South Carolina throughout the 2010 season.

Both Nelson and Brannon will join the Longhorns squad this coming fall.

USATF Foundation grant recipients excel at USA Outdoor Championships

Indianapolis - At the recently completed 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in Des Moines, Iowa, and under very trying, hot and muggy conditions, numerous elite athlete grant recipients excelled in their quest for a national title, announced Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld.

“That fourteen of our athletes won medals, three of which were gold, is extremely gratifying,” said Jackovic. “We look forward to seeing many of these, and other grantee names, representing Team USA at next year’s IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea and at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.”

Foundation grants were awarded to individual athletes based upon criteria that includes each athlete’s achievements, performance potential and financial need.

Leading the way was first-time grantee Kara Patterson, 2008 Olympian and Olympic Trials record holder, who set an American Record in the javelin on her last attempt with a throw of 66.67m/218-8, bettering the previous record set by Kim Kreiner in 2007. Patterson had 4 throws over 200 feet and with her winning throw is now the 13th best performer of all time.

Mark Hollis, a first-time grantee and rising star in the pole vault, who took first place at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden earlier this year, won his first national championship with a vault of 5.60m/18-4.5.

Dan Huling, also a first-time grantee, won the 3,000 meter steeplechase in a time of 8:27.87. Huling finished second at the 2009 Outdoor National Championships and represented Team USA at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Berlin last summer.

David Oliver, who received a 2006 grant and went on to win a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the 110 meter hurdles, turned in a blistering performance in his specialty, winning in a world-leading 12.93, tying him with Renaldo Nehemiah as the 7th fastest performer of all time. David’s mark was just six-hundredth’s of a second off the world record of 12.87 set by Dayron Robles in 2008.

Other grantee athletes who stood on the medal stand in Des Moines were:

*Brianna Glenn - 3-time grantee - - 3rd place Long Jump
*Mike Hazle - 4-time grantee - - 2nd place Javelin Throw
*Britney Henry - 3-time grantee - - 3rd place Javelin Throw
*Nicole Leach - 2-time grantee - - 2nd place 400 Meter Hurdles
*Jamie Nieto - ‘08 grantee - - 3rd place High Jump
*Sarah Stevens - ‘10 grantee - - 3rd place Shot Put
*Jamaal Torrance - 2-time grantee - - 3rd place 400 meters
*Stephanie Brown Trafton - 2-time grantee - - 3rd place Discus Throw
*Maggie Vessey - ‘09 grantee - - 2nd place 800 Meters
*Bettie Wade - ‘10 grantee - - 3rd place Heptathlon
*Rachel Yurkovich - 2-time grantee - - 2nd place Javelin Throw
The Foundation also had 5 grantees that narrowly missed making the podium:

*Monica Hargrove - ‘09 grantee - - 4th place 400 Meters
*Stevi Large - ‘10 grantee - - 4th place Hammer Throw
*Cory Martin - ‘09 grantee - - 4th place Shot Put
*Aretha Thurmond - -3-time grantee - - 4th place Discus Throw
*Russ Winger - 2-time grantee - - 4th place Discus Throw
Eleven other grantees also finished in the top ten in their events.

The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track and field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.

What They Said, Day 2 USA Outdoor Championships 2010

Allison Updike, Junior Women’s Javelin winner

On the series:

“It took my last throw. I was third to last throwing and I knew that the two girls ahead of me had better throws and I needed to take my time, relax, and get a good throw off.”On the final throw:

“I had really good speed. My coach said I had more speed. It helped a lot. I backed up on the runway so I had room and wouldn’t foul. I just gave it my all.”

On her goal:

“Getting over 160 (meters) was my goal, hopefully I will get to 170. I have one more meet in Canada.”

Conor McCullough - Junior Men’s Hammer Throw winner - AMERICAN JUNIOR RECORD

On repeating as champion and setting a new American junior record:

“Yeah, it went well. I was coming in just hoping to do well — put a good mark up to come into world juniors. So I did well.”

On his consistent throwing day:

“The first throw was just to relax and make sure I was in the finals. So after that I was working on a few technical things and the second one [throw] came together. The last one, I fixed a few things and threw it further too.”

On his reason for skipping the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships as a Princeton freshman:

“I qualified but didn’t go in order to train for this [USA Track & Field Outdoor Junior Championships]. It’s extra traveling. I have more years to do it, so I might as well do it [miss NCAAs] now. And the [NCAA] hammer’s six kilograms, so it’s a little different and this is my last year with it [the junior hammer]. So I decided to train for it and it’s a world [junior] championship, it’s not an NCAA championship. World is a bigger, bigger deal.”

On how he feels going into those world championships:

“It puts me in a good place, but there are some eastern Europeans who are right up there with me. So it will be good competition.”

Ajee Wilson - Junior Women’s 800 Meter winner

Feelings about coming off with the win:

“Really good. I was kind of nervous because I was racing college girls, so I’m glad I was able to run so good.”

About how the heat affected her performance:

“Yesterday I felt a lot better than today while I was running. It’s definitely hot”

On running with an older group of girls:

“I got psyched out who I’m running with… It’s just that they’re older than me. They’re college girls and they’re pretty intimidating.”

Shade Weygandt - Junior Women’s Pole Vault winner

On jumping well in Iowa, since she also won the Big 12 indoor championship at Iowa State this winter:

“Yeah, it seems to work out really well. I’ve jumped over 14 here in Iowa twice. So it was a good step from nationals (NCAAs). I didn’t do horrible (9th), but I didn’t do as well as I should have.”

On her winning day:

“Yeah, the wind was actually great. I’ve heard of winds being swirly at Drake, but for me, it was great all day. I had to only wait 20 seconds that one time because of a crosswind, but for the most part, if was great. Things started off a little slow at first early on, but once I got my 13-5, it felt like I got back in my groove and I was able to jump a lot better. I actually got off the mat and was like, ‘Oh man, I actually murdered a pole vault.’ So it was a really good day. I was excited.”

On getting the top honor after finishing second last year:

“It’s really good. Me and Natalie [Willer] did the same height last year and we shared the meet record at 13-11. So it was really good to break the meet record (14-0.5) and finally win. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, but I finally was able to do that.”

Shelby Greany, Junior Women’s 3000 Meter Steeplechase winner

On how it felt:

“I felt great. Coming today, there was just one goal: to qualify and make the world team. There was no point in running myself into the ground today in the heat. To just go out there, feel comfortable, and try to finish. My coach said ‘don’t false start and don’t fall and cross the line’, so that’s what I tried to do.”

On the low-key race:

“It’s a little mental down time. I defiantly want to be ready to go to worlds and you don’t realize until you do it your freshman in college, all the traveling… nationals, going home, coming here, we were even lucky to get here. It was an exhausting travel day, but to go out there and compete was nice.”

On World Championship goal:

“I definitely want to make the finals, that’s the first goal. You have to take it one thing at a time, you can’t really do anything else unless you make it to the finals.”

CasimIr Loxsom, Junior Men’s 800 Meter winner

On his race strategy:

“I knew I just wanted to get away from the field and me and my coach were both thinking that if Robby and I were racing eachother down the homestretch, there would be no one else in the field to come with us. That’s all I wanted to do. I came around the turn and was thinking, ‘Canada, Canada, Canada, Canada’. I was pretty excited.”On defeating Robby Andrews:

“It was great to finally beat him. He is easily one of the best racers in the country. One of the best kicks in the country. It was a bit scary, but it was great.”

On his goal in Canada:

“I want a medal, I want the podium, that’s for sure.”

“The biggest thing has been learning how to race. I’ve always known I’ve had the speed and I’m talented as far as fitness goes, but it was always frustrating getting beat. Definitely having good competition to race against every week helped. It’s really satisfying.”

Joseph Zimmerman, Junior Men’s Javelin winner

On his throw series:

“A couple of throws, I went too fast, almost fell, and one slipped out of my hand. It was alright.”On making the World Junior Team: “I’ve always been at nationals, but just never did good enough. All year, I focused on Nationals, and once that’s over, it’s all I can think about.”

On his improvement:

“208 was my longest last year. I am consistently almost 25 feet better this year. Coaching is defiantly a difference. Simple things make a huge difference, like lifting my arm up.”

On his goal in Canada:

“I’m hoping to get around 76.”

Oliver Bradwell, Junior Men’s 200 Meter winner

On the finish:

“I saw him in my peripheral vision, my legs started cramping up on me, but it was a good race, really close.”

On his goal at World event in Canada:

“I think I can place in the top three in either the 100 or the 200.”

On representing the USA out of the country:

“I feel great. It’s a great opportunity that not a lot of people get, to go out of the country and compete for team USA.”

Ashton Purvis - Junior Women’s 200-Meter winner

On how this is more her event after finishing second in the 100:

“I may have to get going a bit, so I’m really happy about my win in the 200. I feel great”

On how she came on for the win after a slow start:

“Yeah, I had a bad start, but I was just patient and was still pushing. Then I relaxed and then the moves all came together when I stressed what I learned in my training.”

On her success in this meet:

“It’s bittersweet, but it’s good. It’s amazing because I like winning and I think I did a good job. Yeah, as long as I came in first, I’m happy.”

Omar Craddock - Junior Men’s Triple Jump winner

On walking through his winning jump:

“The winning jump was my third jump; I went 54-04. It was tough. I scratched my first two but then I sat down and really thought about it. I tried to visualize my whole [set]: my run-through, my jump off the board, everything. I pretty much just had to think about it and go get it. I knew I could get it. I just had to.”

On whether or not he changed anything from his second to third jumps:

“I actually kept my steps the same, it was just the wind. At the end of the board, if I felt the wind coming hard then I just slowed it down. ”

On winning a national junior championship:

“This is very important. I didn’t have a season my senior year of high school or my junior year. I could have made it my sophomore or junior years in high school, but I didn’t. One, I had an injury my sophomore and junior year. My senior year I had a near-death experience so I couldn’t go. So this one is like… This is like the Olympics for me!”

On his future plans:

“After this? Well, I’ve got Canada. I mean, the plan is to get another PR there and win that, too. But then I’m just trying to get back to the outdoor nationals and actually come in first or second place. This year I didn’t do it. ”

Andrea Geubelle - Junior Women’s Triple Jump winner

On the benefit of previous experience in the Drake Relays:

“Yeah, it was kind of rough, because we got moved to the corner this time instead of being right in the front. So we had a pretty swirling wind coming at us. At first, it was kind of coming toward our back and I scratched on my first one [attempt]. And then after that, we got a head wind and it was going at the side, so it was just figuring out getting the right time to jump. I just waited a lot.”

On her winning jump, which was her final attempt:

“I wasn’t going to get beat by a centimeter again, so I kind of pulled something out.

“It felt right. I finally just relaxed and came down the runway like I usually do and I tried to do everything that my coaches tell me to do because I’ve been having problems. But I just finished it.”

On what this win means to her:

“It feels really good to end the season off this way. Obviously, I jumped 43-11 [her seed mark] and I was thinking, ‘Is that just a fluke?’ And then I kind of jumped low 43s, so the fact that I could pull off a high 43 again is nice. Going to worlds in both long and triple also just feels good to end the season that way.”

Erin Pendleton - Junior Women’s Discuswinner

On her winning day:

“I’ve been feeling kind of worn out, just because it’s been the longest season of being a freshman in college. But I took a little break, got a big message - which helped a lot - so my practices have been getting better. And today, my goal was to be in the top two in order to make it out and go to Canada and whatever I threw I’d be happy with. So I’m happy with how I did.”

On having previous success in the Drake ring, having won a Drake Relays discus championship earlier this year:

“Considering we weren’t allowed to practice at all here for this weekend, I feel that coming to Drake Relays to throw helped me have a competitive edge on the other competitors. I was familiar with it so it wasn’t something new that I was going into. I wasn’t nervous about the ring at all. So it was good.”

On her winning throw:

“I just wanted to get a safe throw in on my first one and keep building. I did continuously improve and my last throw was my best throw. I’m very happy with how I did. I just wanted to be relaxed and not get nervous and it worked out.”

Dan Huling - Men’s 3000 Meter Steeplechase - Heat 1 winner

On his goal coming into the prelims:

“[The goal] was just to qualify. I didn’t know what the time was going to be for how hot it was. So it’s just cool to qualify.”

“I got second last year, third in 2006, fourth in 2008… I’ve really never won anything except a conference title. I didn’t win a state meet. So it’d be nice to win something”

“You just have to stay hydrated, stay cool prior to the race. Staying hydrated essentially. I’m taking it easy for tomorrow and getting ready for Sunday afternoon.”

Steve Slattery - Men’s 3000 Steeplechase - Heat 2 winner

How he feels after qualifying:

“I’m pretty good… Feeling healthy. Just running. I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten to the final at Nationals with an 8:42. But whatever. I mean, it was hot out. It kind of sucked. It would’ve been nice to run, like, ten o’clock at night . But whatever. ”

What it will take to win the finals:

“I would say between 8:15 and 8:23 or 4 usually. I mean, I’m ready to run that.

Damu Cherry, Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles heat 1 winner

On Drake: “The cool thing about it is that I’ve been here before, so it’s not anything new. It’s a blue track and its not very often you get to run on a track like that, so it’s pretty cool.”

On the heat:

“It is difficult, but you just have to be careful in you warm-up because it will drain you. So if you overdue it in warmup, it’ll drain you so you are flat by time the race comes around, so you really have to stay hydrated and keep an eye out for that.”

On tomorrow’s semi and finals:

“It’s going to be a great race. All of the hurdlers are good, so it’s going to be fun.”

Lolo Jones, Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles heat 2 winner

On her allergies:

I got a Kleenex right before the start line from the trainer, so that was nice of them.”

On the wind:

“It’s just a lot harder to run because it was pushing so hard, so we were working twice as hard to keep the rhythm. All the hurdlers were saying its weird how we are running twice as hard to equal our slowest times of the year and it’s definitely because of the head wind.”

On semis and finals:

“You just focus on the race you are on. You can’t get ahead of yourself and try to do whatever it takes to advance. You just have to be top four. In the final, you go all out. Actually, the final is easier because you are guaranteed to get a top spot. The semifinals is the most nerve racking because you aren’t in the final.”

On her season so far:

“I’ve had a birthday cake season so far, I just need to put the frosting and candle on top.”

Ginnie Powell, Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles heat 3 winner

On the race:

“The race was slow. I felt like I hit my rhythm in the middle of the race, but the start was not that good, so I can be a little bit more aggressive there.”

On the head wind:

“I think it was a factor. I think you can tell with the time, really. Once you are out in your zone, you’re not necessarily feeling the wind, but you can tell in the time.”

On confidence going to the semis:

“I feel pretty confident. I still have the 100 after this, so I am just hoping my legs hang on for each round of the 100 and the hurdles.”

Jake Freeman - Men’s Hammer Throw Winner

On his winning throw, which was just a foot off his PR:”You know what, I just hit the first turn and second turn exactly right and held on three and let it go - and it flew.”

On the effect it had that his NYAC teammate Kibwe Johnson finished second and hit a big throw right before his winning throw:

“He threw a lifetime best today and that got me going right before I walked in the circle and said ‘Here I come.’”

On winning and dethroning four-time defending champion A.G. Krueger, who finished fourth:

“It’s good. I’ve been right behind him [Krueger] the last five years, so it feels damn good. You know, he’s still ahead of me to go to the World Cup and the Continental Cup. So, I’ve got a couple meets to go a little further and we’ll see who does it. But it’s definitely given me some confidence.”

A.G. Krueger - fourth in Men’s Hammer Throw

On his protest concerning a declared foul in the finals:

“I feel that I didn’t really foul, so I’m protesting that. They’ll check it out on tape. We’ll see what happens. It could go as a fair throw, or it might not. So we’ll find out.

“The one official said I rolled over top of it [the ring]. I don’t think so. I think I came on the inside, but not over top. We’ll see what the film has to say.”

On his final throw:

“That final throw finally felt good. I finally felt through it. We’ll just have to see what happens.”

On competing close to home, since he was born in Sheldon, Iowa:

“It was nice. I mean a lot of family, a lot of friends came out to watch me. You know, I just wish I could have done better. That’s why you keep on competing and that’s why you just got to keep on going forward.”

Debbie Dunn, Winner, Heat 1 Semifinals, Women’s 400m

On the weather:

“I really didn’t feel any wind. My focus was to get out strong and maintain a good rhythm and bring it home… to get a good lane for tomorrow.”

On her goal for the weekend:

“The goal for the weekend is to win a US Outdoor title. I will be really happy if that happens, so I’ll try my bestest to do that.”On the year compared to last year:

“We’ll see tomorrow what kind of shape I am in. I’ll let my actions speak for me.”

Natasha Hastings, Winner, Heat 2 Semifinals, Women’s 400m

On her heat:

“With Sanya and Monica, I knew it was going to be a great race. Really, my main focus was to go out and finish well to get a good lane for tomorrow in the final. I think I did just that.”

On the wind:

“It was really windy coming home so I had to be mindful of that. I wanted to finish strong, but didn’t want to use too much energy being that tomorrow is the final.”

On her season so far:

“I’m feeling good. Right now, that was my season best and for it to feel like that I’m pretty excited to see what happens tomorrow.”

Sanya Richards-Ross, 4th Place, Heat 2 Semifinals, Women’s 400m

On her heat:

“Today was a challenge. I definitely feel like I don’t have my quick turnover that I can rely on in other races. I’m having to really run off my strength. These other ladies are running really well. Natasha Hastings ran great and Debbie Dunn was excellent in the first round, so really it’s a testament to how much depth there is in the United States.”

On the final:

“It’s going to be tough tomorrow, especially if I’m in lane 1 or 8. I’ll go back to my group, get an ice bath and talk to my coach and see if it’s even worth it to go out and risk, especially in lane 1, a tight turn, but maybe lane 8 will give me some incentive to come out and give it a shot.”

On possibly scratching the final:

“I still feel my quad is… I don’t feel like I have the turnover I should have. Even in training, I avoid lane 1, just for that reason, so I definitely don’t want to take the risk here at a big meet.”

“Everyone always wants to be the best out there, the best in the field, and I want to compete, I didn’t come here to scratch either, but at the end of the day, this is some of the off year. I just want to stay healthy this season, you know, but my body is just not where I need it to be at the moment.”

Kara Patterson - Women’s Javelin winner - AMERICAN RECORD

On her perfect day and record throw:

“I’m really happy. It’s my best series ever. Four throws over 200 feet is pretty exciting and this whole season has been a lot about consistency because I’m really focused on always being able to throw that A standard and know that I can make a final at world championships and Olympics. So I’m very happy with how I did today.”

On her record throw, which was her final one:

“Well I’ve never had the clap start for me in a competition - like what happens in the long jump. And Karlee McQuillen of Penn State got the girls started and then the crowd got into it and I threw the American record. So the little extra energy, I guess, was good.”

On throwing into the head wind:

“I don’t know, as javelin throwers you always have to be conscious that a head wind means you have to keep the tip down a little and throw straight into it. For women’s javelin, that can really help you. I mean Hayward always has a little head wind and last year for USA’s, it was kind of the same thing. It was a screaming head wind and if you hit it just right, then it kind of takes it and lifts it up. I was told the wind died down a little bit as I started my approach on my sixth throw, so maybe that helped me out. I’m not really sure.”

Allyson Felix, Women’s 100 Meter winner

On the victory:

“I was hoping for it. I just came with the attitude to have fun and do some speed work, so I did have a lot of fun.”

On the race:

“I just wanted to focus on my start. I had been getting out with the group the whole time, so I just wanted to keep running and executing. The end of my race is usually the strongest, so I just wanted to rely on that.”

On running 100s:

“I’m still sticking with my plan this year to focus on the 200 and the 400, this was really just all about getting some speed work in and a fun way to do it; to come to nationals and do it. I’ve always done it, but it’s never been my strong point.”

Duane Solomon - Heat 2 Winner, Men’s 800m Dash

“Breaking a stadium record was not what I had planned for this run, but I felt really good about today’s race,” said Solomon. “I’m stronger than I ever have been and if I can go out tomorrow and did what I did today, it’s gonna be a quick race.”

LeJareld Betters - Heat 2 Winner, Men’s 400m

“This is my first time making the finals and I’m really looking forward to racing against some of the people I’ve always looked up to, “said Betters. “Tomorrow is another round and I’m excited to be in a good lane and running with Jeremy Wariner’s pace.”

Mark Hollis - Men’s Pole Vault Winner

On winning on a day when everyone struggled:

“Man, it was the best day I’ve ever had a Drake Stadium and I don’t know what happened. I mean, warm-ups went great for everybody and it seemed like it was going to take 5.80 to win it. The competition started and I don’t know if it was just the heat or what. Everybody’s run was just getting messed up. But it was a great competition and I never thought that 5.60 would be the win, but I’m not going to complain about it.”

On his winning mark, which he hit on his first attempt:

“I knew that that was going to be key if I could come back and hit that and put the pressure on those guys.”

On how he feels to win, in spite of how everyone struggled:

“I feel great. Of course, I came here wanted to win - and I won. So I mean, I can’t ask for anything more.”

Alysia Johnson - Winner Heat 1 Women’s 800 Semi-Finals

On running 1:59.43 in her semi-final win:

“Just feeling it out man. I was just feeling it out.”

On prevailing in a competitive semi heat:

“Hey, that’s how it’s going to be. I mean the best thing about this is it just prepares us for Europe.”

On what she has left for the finals:

“Hey, I’ve got a lot. I feel really good. I’m just excited to get out there and run fast.”

Phoebe Wright - Winner Heat 2 Women’s 800 Semi-Finals

On how comfortable she was running from the front of the pack again:

“Basically, when no one wants to lead it - which no one does, although I think Hazel would have led it - just the way I’ve been training, I felt comfortable taking it from the front. And I wanted to do everything that I could to make sure that I was honest, but I had turbo jets at the end. I didn’t have to tap into the turbo jets, but I did have to push it. So yeah, it worked out really well.”

On the key to jumping out fast and getting the lead in tomorrow’s final, since Alysia Johnson has also been grabbing it too:

“If she [Johnson] wants to drive me through a fast time — hallelujah. I’ve been waiting all year for someone to do that. But I’m ready to lead, follow, whatever I can do.”

On continuing to ride the confidence following her NCAA championship:

“Yeah, the mojo is good. I like the mojo.”

Walter Dix - Men’s 100m Winner

On how he felt during the race:

“It felt alright. Started out kind of sluggish but I finished where I wanted to. I felt good about it. And I feel good now; now I’ve got to run tomorrow and then the 200 on Sunday.

On preparations for his next races:

“I’m about to go flush the lactic acid out, then just try to cruise through tomorrow so I can be ready for Sunday.

On being so far ahead of the others/potentially getting a double:

“I think I should have done a little better start. I wasn’t surprised. I was planning on running a good time. [Getting a double] would be just fine. That’s my goal, to get a double. Ultimately I want to win.”

Bernard Lagat, Men’s 5000 Meter winner

On the race:

“It was a good race. The thing is, going back after the 5000 and after the 1500, I had a little bit of down time and I’m glad it was actually slow today, if it was fast, maybe it could have been something different. I was still feeling the effects of the 5000 and then the 1500. I didn’t have much time to rest at home before I came over here so I am glad, you know, it was not as hot as normal races.”

On why he came in an off year:

“It was good, at a Championship like this where I didn’t really have too much expectation of myself. I didn’t come to run a fast time, I just wanted to come here, have fun and support USATF by coming over here because I think this is very important for athletes, especially for professionals like us to come over here. I think its very important for us to come to a place like this, Des Moines, Ia. They are excited to host and they deserve to see the best athletes running over here. That was my thinking coming here. I promised the people here when I came for the Drake Relays that I would be back in June and I’m glad I did.”

On where this event fits into his season:

“It’s a perfect plan. I came just to run a training run, with a hard tempo today. The next serious race for me will be at Prefontane Classic. I will run the 1500 against people I ran today. That one is going to be hard and I will have to go home, train, and be prepared to run against the guys that are going faster than me at this point.”

Nicole Leach - Women’s 400m Hurdles - Heat 1 winner

On what she’ll take from this race to tomorrow:

“I’m really just focusing on my rhythm, getting a feel for the race now that it’s three rounds in. I’m trying not to do anything crazy; just get a feel for the track and the arena and everything.”

Weather effecting performance?

“It’s really hot… The heat is good though. It hurts more after the race than it does during. But the biggest thing is the win. The way my heat ran was a surprise. That’s the ultimate prize, coming home with the win.”

On preparing for tomorrow’s race:

“I just have to do by best, stay open and trust my training. I guess we’ll just see what happens.”

Sheena Tosta - Women’s 400m Hurdles - Heat 2 winner

“It felt really good. The time could have been faster but it was kind of windy out there. So pretty good considering.”

“I have the hundred hurdles first, the final, so then I’m going to take it from there.”

Ti’erra Brown - Women’s 400m Hurdles - Heat 3 winner

“I just wanted to come in here and get the first race out of the way. I really wanted to get my routing down and feel the track out a little bit so I can come back tomorrow and tweak everything I messed up on out there. It really wasn’t the smoothest race but I feel comfortable and it’s going to be fine. I’m just really happy to be here.”

Weather effecting performance?

“I’m from Miami so we’ve been training in heat. We were running at 7:30 in the morning so it was a little bit cooler than this, still pretty hot. But I convinced my coach to let us come down her at two o’clock. So we got the heat, and it was a little intimidating out there with the heat.”

Thoughts going into tomorrow’s race:

“Tomorrow I’ll be executing my race, get a good time. Hopefully I’ll be heading to the finals”

Ebony Collins - Women’s 400m Hurdles- Heat 4 winner

On getting the 4th heat win:

“I’m just happy I don’t have to do the 400. [For tomorrow] just run my race and do the best that I can do and focus on making it to the finals instead of just running a real fast time.”

On preparing for tomorrow’s race:

“I’m not really worried about getting the win tomorrow; I’m just trying to get into a good lane for the finals. So however that happens, it happens.”

Leonel Manzano - Men’s 1500m - Heat 1 winner

“Usually, for some reason, it’s harder in the prelim round than the finals. I don’t know why that is, probably just because you’re coming out and it’s the first one of the… championship. So coming out I didn’t really know what to expect. I feel kind of old with this group of guys. But I just went out there, really tried to focus and be calm. You probably saw a couple times when [there was a lot of] pushing and shoving. It was really close and very packed, and in this kind of situation you have to keep that in check. So all I did was try to maintain, stay focused and stay calm. With 500 meters to go, I was in the front and had to take it from there.

“There was a Wisconsin kid who came with me; actually I think he was the guy that pulled me along. I never really noticed who that was. Him and I were just running together and I think at first we were enemies but at the end we became friends.”

LopezLomong - Men’s 1500m - Heat 2 winner

“Today I just feel a little tired. But it’s a good thing, a good tired. Coming here is always crucial, to go and run through the first qualifier. Not everything is all done, so now I’m going to go out and prepare for Sunday.

“Well, I know what [the] blue track feels like. And I know what competitors I’ll be competing against. And I’m just going to go and prepare to run.

“Just stay out of trouble. And everything else will take care of itself.”

Matt Tegenkamp - Men’s 1500m- Heat 3 winner

“The start was a little bit difficult. My training partner, we got out in front together in second and third. He stepped off the track; I could tell it was bad when he stopped off like, 300 meters into the race. It kind of took me a little bit to gather myself and get back into the swing of things. Overall, the race kept feeling better and better. Prelims always feel pretty terrible at the beginning, just because you’ve got so much nerves built up about the unknown [and] how things are going to play out. But I just got in a really comfortable rhythm and am looking forward to Sunday.

“Just continue on with my basic training and don’t change anything up for Sunday. Our workout schedule is coming back from a short rest. And I’m still very early in my season; it’s only my second race. Everything’s been geared towards August, so I don’t really know what to expect from Sunday. I’m very strong. I think I’m able to run any kind of race whether or not I’m able to have it there at the end is going to be decided on that day.

Tavaris Tate - Heat 1 Winner, Men’s 400m

“I felt good coming from the prelims because my legs were with me today. I was mentally prepared for this race and am greatly looking forward to the finals tomorrow. I’ve really enjoyed running here as the fans are so great. That adds to the experience and it’s a great feeling.”

Karjuan Williams - Heat 1 Winner, men’s 800m

“I’m feeling really comfortable going into the finals. I found a pace and I stuck with it and that’s what I plan to do tomorrow. I have a lot left in the tank and I’m here to run fast.”

Lauren Fleshman - Women’s 5,000m Winner

On starting her kick with 500 meters to go for the win:

“Well with about 800 left, I just started to feel a sense of calm and it was just knowing I had enough left to put on a good kick. I didn’t know if it would be enough to win, but I just got this smirk where I was like ‘Oh, I’ve got something left. This is going to exciting.’ So, I saw Jen Rhines out there and she spotted us a little bit, and I said ‘I can either wait until the pack catches her and everybody’s full of energy and excited to catch her - because everyone feels like they’ve got a shot - or I can go now when she’s still out there.’ I just wanted to break ‘em early and make them [the other runners] have to pass two people. And I think it worked. I pulled a little bit of a quick one on them.”

On whether she had any concern:

“Oh yeah, with 200 to go I was dying. I probably wasn’t looking so good. I don’t want to see the video on that one. At that point, I was just like, ‘Don’t think about anything but the next step. Think about the finish line and I’ll do that thing where you wobble and fall over before you get there.”

On coming back from so many injuries to win her second title, and first since 2006:

“Oh my gosh, if you’d have talked to me 12 months ago, I was ready to open up a shoe store or something else - maybe move to another state. I was very frustrated and if I didn’t have Coach Rowland and the Oregon Track Club, I don’t know if I would have made it back. I definitely wouldn’t have been national champion this quickly. So I’m just full of gratitude for my situation.

“This was so sweet. I mean, I don’t know how else to put it. Especially coming into today and the mental side of it that I’m racing against people who haven’t had any time off, that can really mess with your head. To think that they’ve been out running sub 4 for 1,500 and winning medals and doing all sorts of stuff and I was sitting around on my sofa and going, ‘Can I run four miles today?’ You spend so many months thinking ‘I’m on the comeback’ and then at one point you just have to go, ‘You know what, I’m here.’”

Kenta Bell - Men’s Triple Jump Winner

On his jump:

“It’s been a building process, trying to get back and do things consistently well. I’ve got old bones! It’s all about getting healthy and getting consistent again, trying to get ready for the next [Olympic] Games.”

On how he prepares for the next thing:

“[You] get a new coach. You train smarter and start to adjust to the changes the body’s making. It’s just a learning curve.”

On ‘feeling good at the right time’:

“Ya know, I’m feeling good. I’m at a good place in life and I’ve got a new coach and it’s all just mellowing out. I mean, I’ve been doing this for a long time. It’s just all about learning the stresses of life and balancing them out.”

Parker Stinson - Junior Men’s 10,000m winner

“I felt so good throughout the race. Each lap got tougher but I knew I was well-trained,” said Stinson. “I’m really focused on my times and going for the win. I’m glad I could pull it off this race. The crowd is so awesome here at Drake Stadium and I’m proud to represent Team USA.”

Patterson sets American record at USA Outdoor Championships

DES MOINES - 2008 Olympian and Olympic Trials record holder Kara Patterson set an American record in the women’s javelin Friday evening at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. The championships will run through Sunday.

The USA Outdoor Championships are the third stop of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, which concludes July 3 with the Nike Prefontaine Classic from historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Patterson dominates women’s javelin field with American record

Former Purdue standout and 2009 Big Ten champion Kara Patterson won her second consecutive U.S. women’s javelin throw title with her final attempt that soared to 66.67m/218-8, which bettered the previous AR of 64.19m/210-7 set by Kim Kreiner in 2007.

Earlier in the competition, Patterson twice hurled the spear to the third-farthest distance in U.S. history, beginning with her third-round throw of 62.61m/205-5, followed by her toss in the fifth-round of 62.80m/206-0. Patterson’s impressive performance makes her the 13th best performer all-time.

Two-time NCAA Outdoor champion and 2009 World Outdoor Championships finalist Rachel Yurkovich was the runner-up to Patterson with a best of 56.31m/184-9, with 2009 USA Champs fourth-place finisher Alicia deShasier taking third with a toss of 55.53m/182-2.

Felix captures Nike Women’s 100m title

Two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Outdoor champion in the 200 meters, Allyson Felix won her first U.S. Nike Women’s 100m championship this evening after taking the lead for good with 40 meters to go.

Felix and the rest of the field were hindered by a 2.5 meters-per-second headwind, with Felix emerging as the convincing winner in 11.27 seconds. Her previous best 100m finish at Nationals was fourth in 2007. 2008 Olympic Trials eighth-place finisher LaShaunte’a Moore was the runner-up in 11.34, with 2005 World Outdoor long jump champion Tianna Madison finishing third in 11.43.

Dix wins Visa Men’s 100 Meters

2008 Olympic Games 100m and 200m bronze medalist Walter Dix convincingly won the first U.S. men’s 100m title of his career with his time of 10.04 seconds, run into a 1.5 mps wind.

Following the gun the field was even until the 70m mark when Dix, who endured an injury-plagued season in 2009, found his stride.  Dix continued to gradually lengthen his lead until crossing the finish line well ahead of runner-up Trell Kimmons, who finished in 10.27. Ivory Williams was third in 10.29, with Wallace Spearmon fourth in 10.30. One of the favorites leading up to the final, Travis Padgett, who finished fourth in this event the last two years, was disqualified due to a false start.

Fleshman wins highly competitive women’s 5,000m

Two-time NCAA champion Lauren Fleshman won the second U.S. 5,000m title of her career when she crossed the finish line first in 15:27.70.

Fleshman, who first won this event in 2006 and has been ranked in the Top Ten in the U.S. every year from 2002 to 2008, held off runner-up and four-time Big East Outdoor champion Molly Huddle (15:30.89) for the win. 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 World Outdoor Championships finalist Jenny Barringer, who won this event last year, finished third in 15:33.33

Lagat wins Nike Men’s 5,000m

A slow pace set the table perfectly for kicker supreme Bernard Lagat, who captured the fourth U.S. Outdoor 5,000m title of his glorious career.

Lagat was in second place when he turned on the afterburners and grabbed the lead with 70 meters remaining in the race. 10,000m specialist Tim Nelson gave chase down the main straightaway but was unable to catch Lagat, who crossed the finish line first in 13:54.08. Nelson finished second after a gallant effort in 13:54.80, with seven-time NCAA All-American Andrew Bumbalough of Georgetown, who placed third at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships, finishing third in 13:55.16.

Patience pays off for Bell

Two-time Olympian Kenta Bell has been trying for seven years to win his second career U.S. men’s outdoor triple jump crown and his wait is finally over.

Bell captured his first national championship since 2003 when he soared to 17.02m/55-10.25 (+2.0 mps) on his third attempt. Since winning his first U.S. crown, Bell has finished second three times and third on two occasions.  2010 NCAA Outdoor champ Christian Taylor of the University of Florida was the runner-up with a best of 16.76m/55-0, with Lawrence Willis finishing third at 16.69m/54-9.25.

Malone wins again in men’s discus

It took 12 years for two-time Olympian Casey Malone to win his first U.S. title in the men’s discus, and now winning this event has become routine.

Malone won his second consecutive national championship with his third-round throw of 62.57m/205-3. The fifth-place finisher at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Malone finished just ahead of Texas Tech strength coach and current U.S. leader (#2 in the world) Jason Young, who had a best throw of 61.15m/200-7. Young’s second-place performance at Nationals is the best of his career.

Freeman wins first hammer title

Jake Freeman won his first career national hammer throw championship after 11 years of trying with his second attempt toss in the final of 76.51m/251-0. Freeman, who finished as the runner-up in this event in 2005 and 2009, finished ahead of runner-up and 2007 World Outdoor Championships team member Kibwe Johnson, who posted a best of 76.31m/250-4.

Former Mountain West Conference champion Andrew Lofton finished third (75.42m/247-5), with two-time Olympian and four-time USA Outdoor champion A.G. Kruger fourth (73.90m/242-5).

Hollis wins Gill Men’s Pole Vault

Two-time NAIA champion Mark Hollis captured his first national Gill Men’s Pole Vault title this evening with his winning clearance of 5.60m/18-4.50, which is the identical height he conquered in winning the 2010 Millrose Games in New York City.

Finishing as the runner-up was 2008 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Derek Miles, who had a best clearance of 5.60m/18-4.50. Jason Colwick finished third at 5.50m/18-0.50.

Pappas, Fountain lead combined events competitions

Five-time national champion and 2003 world champion Tom Pappas leads the men’s decathlon after the first day of competition. Pappas’ second-best shot put throw of his career of 16.87m/55-4.25 helped propel him to the lead with 4,234 points, with Trinity Otto of Texas A&M in second place with 4,152 points.

2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Hyleas Fountain holds a commanding lead after Day 1 of the 24 Hour Fitness Women’s Heptathlon. Fountain posted a personal best in the high jump of 1.90m/6-2.75 en route to a total of 4,068 points. 2009 USA Champs third-place finisher Bettie Wade is in second place with 3,603 points.

Stadium records set in 800m qualifying

2007 World Outdoor Championships team member Duane Solomon led all men’s 800m semi-final qualifiers with his Drake Stadium record time of 1:45.23, which bettered the previous standard of 1:45.31 set by Jacob Hernandez in 2008.

In Nike Women’s 800m semi-final action, 2007 USA Outdoor champion Alysia Johnson set the Drake Stadium record of 1:59.43, which improved greatly upon the previous standard of 2:01.68 by Suzy Favor Hamilton in 1998.

Top Qualifiers:

The following athletes posted the top performances in their respective events in qualifying competition.

Men’s 400m - 2009 USA Junior champion Tavaris Tate - 45.00

Visa Men’s 1,500m - 2008 Olympic Games & 2009 World Outdoor Champs 5,000m finalist Matt Tegenkamp - 3:39.57

Hershey Men’s 400m Hurdles - 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 World Outdoor Champs bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson - 48.36

Men’s 3,000m steeplechase - 2009 USA Outdoor Champs runner-up Dan Huling - 8:40.85

Women’s 100 meters - 2004 Olympian LaShaunte’a Moore - 11.37

Nike Women’s 400m - 2010 World Indoor Champion Debbie Dunn - 50.97

Women’s 100m Hurdles - 2008 Olympic finalis Lolo Jones - 12.82

Women’s 400m Hurdles - 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Sheena Tosta - 56.47

USA Outdoor Championships network television weekend coverage

The 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25  - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 -  3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC
June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 27 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC

Louisville Selected to Host 2012 Cross Country National Championships

Cards to host first-ever Cross Country National Championship

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The NCAA has selected the University of Louisville as a future site of the 2012 Cross Country National Championships as announced on Friday.
Louisville was among the sites chosen for several future national championship events.  The date and time of the meet is to be determined.

The Cards will play host to their first-ever Cross Country National Championship after previously having served as host of the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships on three occasions and the Big East Championships once.

Begley & McLain post record-setting performances at USA Outdoor Championships

DES MOINES - Amy Begley and Erica McLain each set stadium records Thursday at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. The championships will run through Sunday.

The USA Outdoor Championships are the third stop of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, which concludes July 3 with the Nike Prefontaine Classic from historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Begley wins second national 10,000m title

2008 Olympian Amy Begley won her second consecutive U.S. 10,000m women’s title this evening over former Iowa State University standout and 2008 NCAA champion Lisa Koll in a highly competitive race.

The sixth-place finisher at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany, Begley broke away from Koll in with one lap remaining before crossing the finish line first in 32:06.45, which shattered the previous Drake Stadium record of 32:44.95 set by Koll in 2008. Koll finished as the runner-up in 32:11.72, with Desiree Davila third in 32:22.32 and Blake Russell fourth in 32:46.73.

McLain sets stadium record on second best jump

2008 Olympian Erica McLain won her second USA Outdoor title and set a Drake Stadium record in dominating the women’s triple jump competition.

McLain ended the suspense in the first round with what would be the winning leap of 14.18 meters/46 feet 6.25 inches, which would have given her the stadium record. However, McLain soared to the pit with a 2.1 meters per second wind at her back, which is slightly over the allowable for record purposes. On her final attempt she sailed to 14.15m/46-5.25 (+0.4 mps), which bettered the previous stadium record of 13.79m/45-3 set by Shani Marks in 2003.

McLain has been knocking on the door of her second U.S. Outdoor title since her first triumph in 2005. She finished second at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, and placed third in 2007 and 2008.

Two-time Olympic Trials runner-up and 2009 national outdoor champion Shakeema Welsch was the runner-up and first competitor to break the stadium record this evening with a best of 14.07m/46-2. Former University of Oklahoma standout Toni Smith finished third for the second year in a row with her third round leap of 13.69m/44-11.

Rupp wins again in men’s 10,000m

Former University of Oregon great Galen Rupp won his second consecutive U.S. national men’s 10,000m title in a spirited battle with 2007 Pan Am Games 1,500m gold medalist Ed Moran.

Moran, who finished fourth in the 10,000m at the 2008 Olympic Trials and fifth last year at Nationals, held a slight lead over Rupp over the final three miles until Rupp turned on the afterburners with 600 meters to go before crossing the finish line first in 28:59.29 in adding to an expanding resume that includes an eighth-place finish at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin. Rupp posted the fourth-fastest time in the world this year with his 27:10.74 clocking in Palo Alto, Calif., on May 1.

Moran finished as the runner-up in 29:03.07, with Patrick Smyth third in 29:18.13 and Ryan Sheehan fourth in 29:18.55.

Speed to burn in 100m qualifying

2007 World Outdoor Championships 200m finalist LaShaunte’a Moore won the third heat of women’s 100m qualifying in 11.26 seconds, which was the fastest time of the day. Three-time World Outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix won Heat 2 in 11.32, and 2009 NCAA 100m champion and USA Outdoor Champs fourth-place finisher Alexandria Anderson won Heat 1 in 11.29.

In men’s 100m qualifying, three-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion and 2008 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Travis Padgett had the fastest time of the three qualifying heats when he captured Heat 1 in 10.23 seconds. 2008 Olympic Games 100m and 200m bronze medalist Walter Dix won Heat 3 in 10.27, and Leroy Dixon, who has finished sixth in this event the last three years, won Heat 2, also in 10.27.

Dunn does it in 400m qualifying

2009 USA Outdoor Champs runner-up and World Outdoor Championships sixth-place finisher Debbie Dunn led the women’s 400m qualifiers in winning Heat 1 in 51.74. Last year’s fourth place finisher Natasha Hastings came up with the second-fastest time of the day from her win in Heat 3 in 51.91, and reigning World Outdoor champion Sanya Richards-Ross, who has been ranked #1 in the world at 400m over the last five years, won Heat 2 in the identical time posted by Hastings.

Jamaal Torrance, who ended last season ranked #9 in the U.S. by Track & Field News, posted the fastest time in men’s 400m qualifying of 45.49 in winning Heat 4. Other first round winners included 2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor champion Jeremy Wariner (Heat 3 - 45.80), LeJerald Betters (Heat 2 - 45.68) and Steven Willey (Heat 1 - 46.35)

Johnson, Williams lead 800m qualifiers

The fastest qualifier in the first round of the women’s 800m was 2007 USA Outdoor and NCAA champion Alysia Johnson, who won Heat 2 in 2:02.19, with the University of Tennessee’s Phoebe Wright winning the first heat in the second-fastest time of the day of 2:02.33. Wright won the NCAA Outdoor crown earlier this month in Eugene, and finished third at last year’s USA Outdoor Championships.

Two-time USA Junior champion Karjuan Williams led the men’s 800m qualifiers with his win in Heat 2 in 1:47.02. 2009 USA Outdoor Championships eighth-place finisher Tyler Mulder won the first heat in the second-fastest time of the day of 1:47.18, with two-time defending champion Nick Symmonds winning Heat 3 in the third-fastest time of 1:47.91.

Donohue, Pierce post fastest times in women’s 1,500m

2008 Olympian and 2009 USA Outdoor Champs fourth-place finisher Erin Donohue was the fastest of 18 competitors in women’s 1,500m qualifying. Donohue won the second of two heats in 4:11.72, with 2009 World Outdoor Championships 1,500m sixth-place finisher Anna Pierce finishing as the runner-up in that heat in 4:11.82, which was the second-fastest time of the day.

2009 World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist and reigning national champion Shannon Rowbury won Heat 1 in 4:11.87, with 2008 Olympic Games 10,000m bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan finishing as runner-up in 4:11.94.

Jackson leads the way in men’s 400m hurdles

2005 World Outdoor champion Bershawn “Batman” Jackson is the unquestioned favorite in the men’s 400m hurdles and his performance in the opening round confirmed his status as the man to beat.

The bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 World Outdoor Championships, Jackson won the third of three heats in 49.58 as he begins the quest to win his third consecutive USA Outdoor title. 2009 NCAA champion Jeshua Anderson won Heat 2 in 49.61, and last year’s USA runner-up and 2010 NCAA champion Johnny Dutch was the victor in Heat 1 in 49.64.

Franek in first in women’s steeple

A competitive first heat of women’s steeplechase qualifying was won by Penn State University’s 2010 NCAA champion Bridget Franek, who finished third at last year’s USA Championships and crossed the finish line first today in 9:58.91. 2008 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Nicole Bush was the runner-up in 10:00.69

2006 national steeple champion Lisa Aguilera won Heat 2 in 10:02.75, with former Stanford standout Lindsay Allen, who finished seventh at last year’s championships, placing second in 10:03.81.

USA Outdoor Championships network television coverage begins Friday night!

The 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25 - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC
June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 27 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC

Sisson, Gochenour score big wins at USA Junior Champs

DES MOINES - Emily Sisson upset four-time national champion Jordan Hasay to win the women’s 3,000m while Iowa’s own Alex Gochenour won the heptathlon on Day 2 of the 2010 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

The USA Junior Championships will serve as the selection meet for the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships, July 19-25, in Moncton, Canada. The top two finishers in each event will compete in Moncton, provided that they have met the qualifying standard.

Sisson over Hasay in women’s 3,000m

The women’s 3,000m was a battle between Olympic Trials 1,500m finalist Jordan Hasay and 2010 World XC team member Emily Sisson. With three laps to go, Hasay moved into the lead with Sisson hot on her heels. With 200m to go, Sisson took the lead from Hasay before Hasay came back even with her with 70m to go. Sisson finally took the lead for good 25m from the finish, going on to win in 9:18.73 to Hasay’s 9:18.92.

Surprise! Local favorite Gochenour wins heptathlon

Local favorite Alex Gochenour, competing for the Cornhusker Flyers, went into the last event of the heptathlon needing to beat leader Ashley Smith by roughly 14 seconds over 800m. Smith completed her 800 in 2:35.62. And Gochenour? She finished in 2:19.14, securing the national title with 5,300 points. Smith finished as the runner-up with 5,270 and Whitney Fountain, who won the 800m in 2:17.39, was third with 5,179.

Wise holds on to win Dec

Leading the competition from start to finish, Neamen Wise edged out Kevin Lazas, 7,300 points to 7,291, to win the men’s decathlon. Heading into the final event, the 1,500m, Wise needed to stay within four seconds of Lazas to maintain his lead and win the national title. Lazas ran the 1,500m in 4:44.69 and Wise finished in 4:48.67. Earlier in the day, Wise had won the 110m hurdles in 14.50 while Lazas won the pole vault in 4.50m/14-9 and the javelin with 55.78m/183-0. 2010 Youth Olympic Games team member Gunnar Nixon finished third with 7,137.

Around the field

Nick Vena’s first heave of the evening (19.95m/65-5.5) was enough to win the men’s shot put, but it was his second throw of 20.14m/66-1 that guaranteed the win for the rising high school senior from Morristown, N.J. Texas freshman Hayden Baillio was the runner-up with a best effort of 19.89m/65-3.25.
Andrew Evans won the men’s discus with a toss of 59.10m/193-11, while Andrew Rose was the runner-up with 57.51m/188-8.

Soon-to-be Tennessee freshman Justin Hunter won the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.89m/25-10.75 while 2009 World Youth team member Carlton Lavong was the runner-up with 7.50m/24-7.25. Southern University’s Micah Mcculloch took third with 7.17m/23-6.25. David Smith won the men’s high jump with a best clearance of 2.23m/7-3.75 while Maalik Reynolds was the runner-up at 2.20m/7-2.5.

Kansas’ Andrea Geubelle soared into the lead in the women’s long jump with 6.20m/20-4.25 on her first attempt and held that lead through four rounds. On her fifth attempt, Stanford’s Karynn Dunn leapt 6.21m/20-4.5 to edge out Guebelle and walk away with the win. Guebelle finished second and Jen Clayton was third with 6.04m/19-9.75.

With two fouls under her belt, Illinois State freshman Brittany Smith was in a must-mark situation if she wanted to move on to the final in the women’s shot put. On her third attempt, Smith heaved the ball 15.41m/50-6.75. It was a mark that would stand as the farthest throw of the day and win Smith the national title. Rachel Roberts first throw of the day of 15.08m/49-5.75 landed her in second place while TCU’s Kelsey Samuels was third with 14.96m/49-1.

Kyle Ballew won the men’s pole vault, while Mark Thomas finished as the runner-up. Each cleared identical heights of 5.10m/16-8.75, but Ballew achieved the mark on his first attempt while Thomas needed two.

After first throwing a foul, Shelby Ashe took the lead in the women’s hammer throw on her second attempt with a mark of 56.24m/184-6 and never looked back. Increasing her lead on her third throw with 60.55m/198-8, Ashe’s fourth throw of the day of 60.76m/199-4 was her best effort of the day and secured her the win. USC’s Lauren Chambers was the runner-up with 57.54m/188-9.

Men’s 3,000m steeplechase

High Point University’s Dakota Peachee sat between second and fourth place for the first 2,600m of the men’s 3,000m steeplechase before moving into the lead on the final lap. Peachee was passed by Virginia Tech’s Jared Berman on the backstretch before his closing kick with 100m to go propelled him back into the lead, where he would stay for the remainder of the race. Peachee won in 9:03.43 to runner-up Berman’s 9:04.76.

Women’s 100m hurdles

Texas A&M frosh Donique’ Flemings , the 2010 NCAA Outdoor champion, won the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.33 seconds, which matches her career best from earlier this season. Flemings posted the top time in the prelims with a wind-aided 13.44 (+2.1mps). Penn State’s Evonne Britton was second in 13.37, while TCU’s Larissa Matthew placed third in 13.44.

Men’s 110m hurdles

Arkansas freshman Caleb Cross punched his ticket to the World Junior Championships , winning the men’s 110m hurdles in a personal-best 13.64. He finished sixth in the prelims earlier in the day with a then-personal best of 13.91. Johnathan Cabral was the runner-up in 13.70.

Men’s and women’s 100s

LSU’s Takeia Pinckney dashed to the win in the women’s 100m, stopping the clock at 11.30. Pinckney had qualifed for the final with the fastest time of the morning round at 11.38. 2009 World Youth 100 and 200m bronze medalist Ashton Purvis was the runner-up in 11.39 while Clemson’s Stormy Kendrick was third in 11.40. Ole Miss freshman Michael Granger won the men’s 100m in 10.30, just ahead of TCU’s Charles Silmon who finished as the runner-up in 10.33. Georgia’s Eric Harris was third in 10.48.

Men’s 5,000m

Trevor Dunbar, a University of Portland freshman, took the lead with nine laps to go in the junior men’s 5,000m and opened the gap all the way to the finish, winning in 14:34.63. N.C. State’s Andrew Colley was the runner-up in 14:37.28.

800m 1st rounds

Penn State’s Casimir Loxsom had the fastest men’s 800m qualifier on the day, winning heat 3 in 1:48.79. Nicholas Kaiser won heat 2 in 1:50.13 while 2010 NCAA Outdoor runner-up Robby Andrews of Virginia won heat 1 in 1:51.41. On the women’s side, Shore AC’s Ajee Wilson, who won heat 2 in women’s 800m qualifying, had the fastest time of the day, crossing the line in 2:07.16. Arkansas’ Stephanie Brown won heat 2 in 2:08.46 and Laura Roesler won heat 1 in 2:08.85.

USA Outdoor Championships network television coverage begins Friday night!

The 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25 - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN

June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPNJune 26 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC

June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

June 27 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC

What they said: 2010 USA Outdoor Championships

David Smith - Junior Men’s High Jump winner

On what a USA championship means:”It means I’m blessed. Really, I just see it as a blessing - making sure that you put God first
and everything else will follow.”"My plan was to excel. You might come up short, but things happen for a reason. That’s how I see it.”

On how he felt technically today:”I’m not really sure to be honest because when I see myself jumping, I just jump. That’s how I see it. I jump and just reach for the sky. That’s all I really try and do.”

On beating a fellow Georgia high school state champion, runner-up Maalik Reynolds:

“Oh yeah, that’s my buddy. Maalik and I jump together in a lot of meets and I see it as just good competition - competition that gets the best out of you.”

Justin Hunter, Junior Men’s Long Jump winner

On the winning jump: “I thought I was jumping bad on all my other jumps. For my last jump, I moved my mark up some because I felt like I was jogging to the jump. After changing it up, I felt like I pushed harder going to the jump on my last attempt.”

On his first jumps: “All of my jumps to start were pretty much the same. I was slow on my approach, which kept me the same on the distances.”

On how he won: “If I hadn’t changed my mark, I might not have made it.”

On the field and weather: “This is my first time here, its one of the best places I’ve seen so far. It’s just hot.”

Emily Sisson -Junior Women’s 3,000m winner

On what made the difference to win after being second last year:

“I think the big difference coming in this year was I’ve been working with a lot of good physical therapists and message therapists and I just was able to stay healthy for a long period of time. That made a huge difference. I really think them for making that happen”

On winning among a talented field, including six-time junior national champ Jordan Hasey of Oregon:

“I knew coming in it was a really deep field with Jordan and Aisling (Cuffe) and Emily Jones. So I knew it was going to be really tough. My whole strategy was just to sit off and wait on the shoulder of them and kick at the end and try and be in the top two.”

On what it was like dueling Hasey down the home straightaway to the finish line:

“It’s crazy because I’ve been racing Jordan for so long - since we’ve been in middle school. And every time she’s been so far ahead of me. And just being with her that last 100 meters was really cool. It was a really fun race.”

Jordan Hasay -Junior Women’s 3,000m runner-up

On her goal for the race:

“Obviously, I just wanted to make the [U.S. national] team. I wanted to win too, but unfortunately it didn’t happen today. I felt actually really good through the mile and then coach told me to ‘Go for it,’ and I went and I thought I’d gapped them [the closest competition]. And Emily came back up on me and ran a great last lap and I just didn’t have it then.”

On her plan to run the 1,500 too [where she's the defending champ], regardless of the 3,000 outcome:

“Yeah definitely. I’ll talk to coach but I think I’ll run both, unless, maybe, I’m tired. We’ll see. I haven’t run a 3K in a while so I was pretty happy with that time.”

On the final lap and her awareness of Sisson:

“Yeah, I was looking at the video board and saw that I had a little gap and coach told me to go for it a little more and I said ‘OK, I’m pretty tired, but I guess I’ll make a big effort a little more.’ And then Emily passed me on the last lap. But it was a really close race and we’re going to have a really great team for worlds.”

Dakota Peachee, Junior Men’s 3000m Steeplechase winner

On race strategy: “I really didn’t want to go out and lead the first 2K. I just wanted to sit until the last couple of laps and then go. With it being the end of the season, I wasn’t sure what I had, but it turned out really well.”

On making it to the World Juniors: “I am so stoked, it’s an honor.”

On the end of the race: “I started to go with Michael Jordan about 800 meters to go and I just decided to go with him. We picked up the pace then and the last four hundred meters I decided to really pick it up and try out jump the pack. A couple of guys caught me. We made it to the water pit and they kind of stumbled, but last minute made the pass on that corner and made it through to the finish.”

On the weather: “Better than it is in North Carolina, it’s really hot, but everyone deals with the same thing, so it’s not so bad.”

Caleb Ross, Junior Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles winner

On the race: “The prelim race wasn’t a good race. It was a little sloppy, so today I just want to come in and stay tall over the hurdles. My effort finally showed in the race.”

On the finish: “When I hit the eighth or ninth hurdle, I could see them closing. I just tried to push through as fast as I could.”

On the weather: “This is much more humid than Arkansas. It’s hot there, but not this humid.”

Karynn Dunn, Junior Women’s Long Jump winner

On her first jumps: “My first jump, I actually ended up with a new personal record for the season, with 6 meters even. That wasn’t that great, but it kept me in second until the finals. I consitantly jumped around 6 meters.”

On the finals: “People started moving up and started hitting the 6 meter mark, which I knew wasn’t going to get me to the team. I just listened to my coach and did everything I was supposed to do, which was a new personal record for the season.”

On making the junior team: “I’ve been trying to make it to the team for a while. I was so ecstatic when I made that 6.21 meter jump. Anything can happen and I knew it was my last year to make the team, I am just so excited that the 6.21 jump held.”

Takeia Pinckney - Junior Women’s 100m winner

On her fast start:

“In the prelims, I really didn’t get out as much. And when I got to the finals, I focused more on getting out, because I knew I was going to have it at the end. So I just had to get out and drive.”

On what it means to win a USA Junior championship:

“It feels good. I didn’t have the opportunity to do it when I was in high school, so it feels real good.”

On what this does for her future career at LSU and running in the SEC:

“To be honest, it doesn’t do much. It’s no comparison at all. But it helps me - and I need help - with my mechanics and stuff.”

Donique’ Flemings - Junior Women’s 100m hurdles winner

“I’ve been practicing hard for this and to win the Junior title is great,” noted Flemings, who is from Ft. Worth, Texas (Saginaw HS). “What’s even better is matching my PR, which means I ran my best. Now I have to keep working to get better.”

“It was a little different with two races in the 100 hurdles today. I knew I had to run my race in the prelims and not worry about qualifying for the final. I knew running a clean race would get me to the final.”

“After winning the NCAA team title as a freshman, now I qualify for the World Juniors with a first-place finish at Juniors. There’s no better feeling than winning, especially in the 100 hurdles.

“Making the World Junior team means I have to keep working hard and keep practicing so I can get better and compete well in Canada.”

Nicholas Vena - Junior Men’s Shot Put winner

On the experience of winning two high school indoor national championships

“It’s great. Winning any national championship is great and gets you prepared. This is similar, but I feel like it’s a little bit bigger. It’s a great feeling winning these and going to the bigger meets, a little bit better prepared with what I’m going to be facing in these meets.”

On his performance today:

“Today was really good. I was very consistent with the 65 and 66-feet throws. But you know, it was the first time I ever competed with the 13-pound shot, so I’m real pleased with the series. I’ve been working the last two weeks with a 13 and it paid off.”
On making that adjustment to the bigger shot:

“It wasn’t that much. I’m a big guy and the 12-pound is a little smaller in your hand. The 13’s a little bigger, so it holds me back and I hit my positions a little better. So, it’s not a bad change. It helps me if anything.”

Alex Gochenour, Junior women’s Heptathlon winner

On taking the lead:

“I knew I had to beat her by 14 seconds. We had all been talking and she said her best was a 2:35, so I knew I had to get at least a 2:20 to get a definite win. I just went out and run as hard as I could and see what happens.”

“To be able to win an event in nationals over all these older girls is an awesome feeling.”

On closing the distance to win the race:

“It makes the win even better because I had to beat her by that fourteen seconds, which is huge. That’s a huge amount of time. To go out there and be able to do it was tough. I’ve closed a nine second gap to win before, but fourteen is a lot more than nine. It was an awesome feeling to be able to go out there and do that.”

On running with Fountain:

“It’s hard to just go out and lead that race by yourself, so it’s nice to have someone with me to push me. At about 1:25 left, she started to kick and I just went with her.”

Bridget Franek, Women 3000 Meter Steeplechase Heat 1 Winner

On the race: “I guess I would say my thought process was very similar going into the preliminaries at the NCCA meet. It is a lot different because of the weather, but basically I wanted to get through without any slip-ups or mishaps and exerting as little effort as possible.”

On her race strategy: “My strategy was to just sit in the middle and then take it when I felt that I could without spending too much energy.”

On preparation: “It’s definitely a tribute to my coach and time at Penn State. They prepared me very well for this meet and this championship season in my season year. For that, I am really thankful and just glad to be feeling so good right now.”

Lisa Aguilera, Women’s 3000 Meter Steeplechase Heat 2 Winner

On the weather: “It was very hot and humid out there, but it felt good.”

On leading the race: “I hadn’t planned on leading, however, I felt comfortable and it was good to stay out of the way of any falls, so I just stayed there.”

On the race: “It was a good tune-up. This year, we have two days of rest between prelims and the finals. It’s okay if we run a bit harder.”

Brittany Smith - Junior Women’s Shot Put winner

On having back to back events (shot put to hammer throw):

“I’m tired. I think in shot I’m more consistent. I think with the hammer, I’m not as consistent. Shot was my best chance of getting in so now I’m just more relaxed. I think if I didn’t do shot then I’d be more nervous. But I think now I’m more relaxed. I am tired though. It’s hot out there!”

On qualifying for the IAAF World Junior Championships July 19-25 in Moncton, Canada:

“I haven’t even thought about it yet. I’ve barely been able to go home. I actually just got here from being home. I got a couple of days off and I just went home and relaxed. I’ll train some, but I think he’ll give me a week off, and then I’ll just come back and go to school . I think I’ll just go home and go to school.

On having the longest season of her career:

“It’s been so long, a lot longer than expected. It’s okay though, you know? I think… My biggest thing is just going back to school and just throwing and, getting more reps in and working on the little stuff.”

Phoebe Wright - Women’s 800 Meter Run Heat 1 winner

On accomplishing her goal of the race:”I wanted to get out in the front and stay out of trouble - just kind of make it a smooth effort.”

On continuing her roll off the NCAA Division I championship in the 800:

“Yeah, I haven’t lost one yet. Hopefully it won’t start this week. The confidence helps, but now I get to tangle with the big dogs.”

On how she likes the track:

“I’ve always liked this track. I like that it’s a non-biased, good location with pretty good weather. I think it’s one of the best tracks to host a big event like this.”

Alysia Johnson — Women’s 800 Meter Run heat 2 winner

On how she feels after her first outdoor competition of the year:

“I feel good actually. I’m excited to get the round done because this is my first race outdoors. So it just kind of feels like today was my first race and I needed to get the cobwebs out.”

On how the race followed her strategy for it:

“Perfectly. Yeah, I just wanted to qualify easily and not go for PR now. I’m in shape to PR, but I was just excited to get the round done.”

On how she runs similar to Phoebe Wright in that both run out front and push the pace:

“You know what, I’m not really thinking about anybody else but myself. It doesn’t really matter whether someone’s way out in front or behind me just as long as I execute my race plan.”

Geena Gall — Women’s 800 Meter Run heat 3 winner

On how she felt about the race and the effort:

“It was pretty much how I felt I’d go out. I just stuck behind Nikeya [Green] for the whole race and I felt comfortable - I felt really good. I’ve been having some good training since New York a couple of weeks ago and I’m definitely ready for this week. And yeah, to qualify top 3, definitely means a lot and is good for my confidence coming in. This is my third 800 of the year, so it’s definitely an adjustment getting back to running these 8’s.”

On her strategy to hug the inside for most of the race:

“How they put us on the line with that waterfall start, I had to get out quick so I wouldn’t get boxed in. I didn’t want to get cutoff or trip and get into any of that mess. So I played it smart. I could have stayed right up there with her [Green], but I let her take most of the wind and take the lead. I don’t want to lead until I have to. I started kicking with 150 meters to go and closed well. It felt good.”

Tyler Mulder,men’s 800m heat 1 winner

The coach told me to sit and settle in the first 400 and let all the other guys beat each other up. A lot of guys have the same tactic. Everyone wants to get out in the 51 range. It’s like a faster pace. I just tended back, let everyone jostle and try to build into it. I wanted to put myself into position for the last 200 to 150 to get the automatic bid without having to sit here and watch the other heats and be nervous and worry. I did a lot of weaving and everything. I really don’t run that tactically. But it was good.

Karjuan Williams, men’s 800m heat 2 winner

As you know, it was a tactical race. You can’t go to sleep at any time. You have to make sure you are awake, active and ready to push. You have to work, weather you are in the back or the front. You have to be constant to keep going.

Nick Symmonds, men’s 800m heat 3 winner

Usually, they put us (Oregon Track Club Elite member) all in the same heat and we have to kill each other to get through. I was really happy with the draw. I’m happy all of us made it through. We can take care of it in the semis. It felt good out there. I was really nervous about the heat and the humidity. But it felt so good, with perfect temperature/conditions to run fast.

I’m excited for finals. I tried to move up on the inside in the backstretch, because everyone was running on the outside of lane 1. I thought I might be able to ride this all the way to the front. I made up a few spots up, but then I kind of ran out of space. I thought I better wait and move to the outside. Fortunately, I only had to let a couple of guys pass before I could move out. But, I don’t think I am going to make that mistake in the finals. I was kind of playing around with tactics a bit. That my tactically soundest race. But I was kind of able to switch through the gears and see what I had in my legs.

Neamen Wise - Junior Mens Decathalon winner

On maintaining the lead after the 100m:

“I know my second day isn’t as good as my first day so I knew I might have to notch it up a bit. But I had a little confidence. I knew he had to beat me [to win] so all I had to do was stay on him.”

On having a personal best in point total:

“It’s the first time I’ve done the decathlon in a year because I tore my hamstring. So I was expecting a personal best.”

On the recovery of his hamstring injury:

“Two weeks ago I was at 75%. But [the injury] has helped me focus on my technique a lot more.”

Shannon Rowbury - Women’s 1,500 Meter Run heat 1 winner

On the goal of taking it easy and moving on, until the pace picked up in the final lap:”I knew that would happen [the competition in the final lap with Shalene Flanagan and Christin Wurth]. I was just figuring it with two laps or one lap to go, the girls would pick it up. So I just made sure that I was there and just stayed with it to finish the race and make sure that I was automatic [for the final].”

On how she feels this year compared to last year at this time as she attempts to repeat as champion:

“I feel good. It’s hotter out there so my feet are a little bit warm and it’s hotter in here [the media mix zone] than it is out there, so I’m looking forward to getting cooled down. But I feel really good.”

On the fact that so many runners in this field are running low 4:00’s:

“You know, I think it’s good. It keeps me working [to get a little bit better]. I mean I already work to get a little bit better, but when the competition in the U.S. is at such a high level, it helps me raise the bar even more. It prepares me for European competition, and that’s what I want.”

Erin Donahue - Women’s 1,500 Meter Run heat 2 winner

On the strategy of jumping to the lead and running from the front in a preliminary race:

“Well you know, the way they had us set up, they were taking the top three and next six fastest. So I was fortunate that I got into the second heat and had an opportunity to see what the first heat did. And I knew I just had to be in the top nine times - just be under 4:20 basically. And I was just getting bumped around a little bit in the first lap to lap-and-a-half, and I could feel the pace coming back a little bit. And I’m like, ‘You know what? I can go out and run the right pace, no problem, and it will be easier for me to do out front then in the back, and not get tripped up.’ So that’s what I did.”

On how she felt on the track with the weather conditions:

“This is the first time I’ve been to the track and run on it and it’s great. It’s a really nice stadium. The heat and humidity I’m pretty much used to. I’m from outside Philadelphia and this has been the weather the past month or so. I got really acclimated to it by the beginning of May. So I’m ready for this kind of heat and it didn’t really affect me that much.”

Debbie Dunn, Women’s 400 Meter Dash heat 1 winner

On the race: “Today was the first round. We have two more rounds to go. Today, I just wanted to get out there and run my heat to prepare for tomorrow.”

On her improvement over the years: “I’m trying to work my way up there. Training harder, practice, and being mentally focused is the goal. I’m a fighter, so we’ll see what happens.”

On competing this year: “It’s an off year, but I’m not going to sit out. I am going to keep training because next year and the year after are big years. I figured, why waste time when I could be here.”

Sanya Richards-Ross Winner, Women’s 400 Meter Dash Heat 2 winner

On the race: “I was okay. It was my first race of the year and I kind of wasn’t sure how to judge it. Coach will probably tell me I was a little slow through two and lazy on the curve. Shana Cox ran great in lane two, so I really had to come home strong. I feel strong, my training paid off. I just have to get the speed going and hopefully a fast time will come.”

On the win: “To come out and win my heat and feel good was good. Tomorrow I get to try it again and then, for the final, hopefully I will be sharp enough.”

On the competition: “These ladies are running tough and have a few more races in than I do, so I am just going to go out and do my best.”

Alex Anderson, Women’s 100 Meter Dash Heat 1 winner

On the season: “Last year was a long year for me. I am excited, looking forward to going over seas, but I’m looking forward to going overseas.”

On the weather: “You know, I think I brought the heat here. This has been kind of nice, lately we’ve been practicing in 103-105, and that’s either early in the morning or late in the evening.”

On taking a break in race schedule: “I did it really for training purposes. I knew this season was going to be slow and the next two are major years, so I felt a break was the best decision training wise.”

Allyson Felix, Women’s 100 Meter Dash Heat 2 winner
On the race: “I felt okay, it was the first round and an opportunity to improve.”

On the cheers for her: “I’m not the favorite, I never think I’m the favorite. It’s a lot of fun to just get the speedwork. This is just one of a few 100’s I will run this year and I’m just having some fun with it.”

On her plans for the race: “I am just working on some things. Being a non-championship year. This is just a way to have some fun and get some speed work.”

LaShaunte’a Moore, Women’s 100 Meter Dash Heat 3 winner

On her heat: “The start was a bit shaky, but at the same time I wanted to get out and win while using the least amount of energy possible. Getting out in lane eight was a little rough because no one was in seven, I couldn’t feel anybody there.”

Kyle Ballew - Junior Men’s Pole Vault winner

On his winning day:

“It was definitely hard to get started. I had a third attempt make on my second bar and that’s kind of discouraging on some points, but I tried to stay focused. I knew what I came here to do and that was to compete. So I got right back in there to try and get some first attempt bars, and that’s what it came down to in the end.”

On his winning vault, which equaled his PR:

“I actually went up to a stiffer pole to make sure I had enough gas in it to get over the bar. And it ended up paying off big with that first attempt clearance. So I’m glad of that.”

On just missing a PR at 16-10.75, just hitting the bar on his way down on his first attempt:

“I got at least one good look at it. But it’s not discouraging when you miss a bar because when you come that close, you obviously know you just need to make a couple of minor adjustments and you can definitely come back on the next attempt and get it. But I was kind of dealing with some wind that was shifting a little and I was starting to get a little fatigued too at that time.”

On what it means to be a USA Track & Field junior champion:

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

Steven Wiley, men’s 400 meters Heat 1 winner

I took it out smooth. I was kind of out there by myself because a couple of guys scratched. I had to run my own race. When they caught me on the home stretch, I just kicked it in and finished hard. I’m good going day-to-day, 24 hours between a race. I can come back strong. I didn’t know how fast I was going through the first 200. I had to go off my own pace and experience. I felt like no one was in the race until the middle of the second turn.

Jeremy Wariner, men’s 400 meters Heat 3 winner

I did what I needed to do to qualify for the next round. I think my first 200 was good. I kept them too close for me. But I’ll take the victory. Today was just to loosen the legs for the semifinals and qualify for the next round. My time wasn’t what I wanted. But I qualified for the next round. That was the most important thing.

Jamaal Torrence, men’s 400 meters Heat 4 winner

It felt kind of pretty good, but kind of sluggish. I was trying to get back in race shape. I am taking it round by round. I am looking forward to a good race.

LeJerald Betters, men’s 400 meters Heat 2 winner

I was just trying to go to the next round. I was just trying to be the first one to the 300 and judge the competition for the final 100 and try to save as much energy as I can. The first race is always a little tight. But it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. I feel real good.

Leroy Dixon, men’s 100 meters winner Heat 2

I was a little nervous. I haven’t run in about three weeks. I just wanted to come out and get a good race. I’m happy. But I am always happy because God has given me a gift and I am able to come out and use it. The legs feel pretty good. But I can tell you better after tomorrow.

Travis Padgett, men’s 100 meters heat 1 winner

The race went pretty good. I just wanted to come out, run my race and try to get through to the next round. I felt pretty good. The only thing I hated was the wind. I could feel the wind as I was running. I hope tomorrow the wind dies down and I can run a whole lot better. I have kind of been up and down. But that’s due to my training and everything. I’m expecting to run faster. I’m trying to get on the right track and hopefully it starts here.

Walter Dix, men’s 100 meters heat 3 winner

It was good. I don’t know if I got out like I was supposed to. I felt strong at the end. The race went well.

Trevor Dunbar, Junior Men’s 5000 Meter winner

On the pace: “It was slowing down when I took over. I could have just waited to kick until the end, but I felt like that would be cheapening my abilities. I just wanted an honest race. I didn’t make too bold of a move, it was just to pick up the pace and string out the field.”

On taking the lead: “If someone does come up behind me, it makes the race easier. You don’t have to focus on keeping your pace as much; you just focus on beating that person and having a race on your hands.”

On making the World Team: “My dad said he wasn’t coming to this meet because he was going to go to the Canada meet. He already bought his ticket, I think. To be able to make that trip, now, finally feels good. I got that monkey off my back.”

Erica McLain - Women’s Triple Jump Winner

On her winning day, which included just two legal marks:

“My goal coming in was definitely American record. It was a little hard, I’m pretty sure my second jump probably was it - maybe a couple jumps in there too where I fouled by a toenail. So I was little upset there at the end. But it’s the most courageous performance I think I ever had.”

On why it was such a courageous performance:

“I’ve actually been reading a couple sports psychology books and the one I just finished was by Gary Mack called ‘Mind Gym.’ Our head football trainer at Stanford recommended that I read it and it had a lot of good things in it. So I was just out there focusing on my breathing, trying really hard to stay present - both thinking about the past jump, not thinking about the outcome of the meet. And I think that allowed me to get the big jumps that I had, even though they were small fouls.”

On her performance on a track she really likes:

“I’ve always jumped really well here. This is where I jumped my 47-11.75 — I think it was - and that was my last jump ever in college in 2008 when the NCAAs were here.”

Galen Rupp -Men’s 10,000 Meter winner

On repeating his championship in a slow pace:”Yeah, you never know what to expect in these races. But last year, the NCAAs kind of got me used to it. You just go out slow and be ready for anything. It’s like Al Davis [Oakland Raiders' owner] says, ‘Just win baby.’ That’s all I’m trying to do in these races.”

On his winning kick:

“It was 600 meters. Yeah, there were a couple of situations I’ve had where I had to make a big move to catch up to some guys because I was sitting back maybe a little too far. But they threw in some good moves here and there every once in a while that always throw your rhythm off a little bit, or take a little bit out of you. But I just try and relax as much as possible and wait to make my move to the front until the end.”

On whether he started his winning kick at the time he planned it:

“You know you just kind of feel it out coming in, judging by what’s going on on how early I would go. But I felt confident at that point that I could hold it all the way through. And I put a little distance on him pretty quickly. So when that happens, you say ‘OK, I’ve got to make the move now and go for the kill.’”

Amy Begley, Women’s 10000 Meter winner

On the weather: “We got a huge break with the weather. We were really anticipating it to be so much hotter, so much more humid. When I saw how slow the guys were going, I thought maybe it was a bit more humid than I thought. I saw my coach right before the race and he said that it must be deceptively humid because the guys were slow. When I got out there, I thought it was fine.”On following the leader: “I am usually the one that leads and people sit on me. Alberto told me to wait until 800 to go. I was like ‘I feel really guilty doing that’. I mean, I am ten years older than Lisa and I feel bad sitting on her for 25 laps. At three laps to go, he said to go at 400, but I went at 500 because I was a little impatient.”

On her goal: “At the world level, they close in 56 seconds. Right now, my goal is just to get closer and closer to 60 seconds on that last lap.”

On the race: “This race was great, defending my title. Maybe I can make it four in a row.”

On a repeat fight in the 2012 Olympics: “That would be great. I think Lisa’s the next up and coming 10K runner. I have ten years on her so hopefully my age doesn’t start wearing on me.”

Liz Patterson Full Interview

Liz Patterson Full Interview from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Texas A&M’s Anderson is National Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year For Third-Consecutive Time Aggie sprinters, hurdlers, and relays accounted for 65 of 72 national team points

June 23, 2010-(NEW ORLEANS)– The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) named Texas A&M’s Vince Anderson as the 2010 National Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year for outdoor track & field as voted by the nation’s coaches. Anderson, with coaching responsibilities at Texas A&M with sprints and hurdles, is a three-time consecutive winner of the award.

On the way to their second-straight national title, Texas A&M racked 65 of their 72 points at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the sprints, hurdles, and relays – areas in which Anderson has direct or shared roles of coaching responsibility.

At the NCAA Championships, Porscha Lucas won the 200-meter dash national crown for the second-straight year and added a runner-up showing in the 100. Sophomore Jeneba Tarmoh was runner up to Lucas in the 200 and was third in the 100 at the national meet. Junior Jessica Beard was second in the 400, sophomore Dominique Duncan placed fifth in the 200, and sophomore Vashti Thomas took sixth in the 100-meter hurdles.

In addition, Anderson, along with Head Coach Pat Henry, supervised the Aggie 4×100-meter relay to a fourth-straight NCAA title and a runner-up showing in the 4×400. Lucas has been the second leg on each of the four Texas A&M championship 4×100 squads and is the first in NCAA to accomplish the feat. In addition, Texas A&M is undefeated in the sprint relay during postseason races over the past four years, which includes 19 races and 11 finals. The Aggies four-year average of winning times from 2007 to 2010 is a very impressive 42.71. The only other team to win four or more consecutive relays is LSU. The Tigers top four-year winning average was a 43.14 from 1994-1997. They also have a 43.22 average from 1992-1995 and 1993-1996.

Texas A&M’s sprinters and hurdlers tallied 98 of the team’s 157 to win a fourth-straight outdoor Big 12 team title. The Aggies won six of the seven sprint, hurdle, and relay events at the league meet. In addition, eleven athletes qualified for the NCAA West preliminary and nine advanced to Eugene. Plus, Aggie relays set collegiate records in winning Penn Relays titles in 4×200 and shuttle hurdle relays in 2010. The 4×100 squad also ran a world-leading time of 42.49 in the NCAA quarterfinal (West preliminary round).

Anderson is his 25th year of collegiate coaching and his sixth at Texas A&M. Anderson also won this award in 2009 and 2008, with 2008 being the first year in which the award was presented.

Past National Women’s Assistant Coaches of the Year:

2010: Vince Anderson, Texas A&M
2009: Vince Anderson, Texas A&M
2008: Vince Anderson, Texas A&M

USTFCCCA 2010 National Award Winners, Division I, Outdoor Track & Field

MEN
National Track Athlete of the Year: Andrew Wheating, Oregon
National Field Athletes of the Year: Ashton Eaton, Oregon / Ryan Whiting, Arizona State
National Assistant Coach of the Year:
National Coach of the Year:

WOMEN
National Track Athlete of the Year: Lisa Koll, Iowa State
National Field Athlete of the Year: Brianne Theisen, Oregon
National Assistant Coach of the Year: Vince Anderson, Texas A&M
National Coach of the Year:

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