Day 2 Evening Quotes, 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships

For Immediate Release
Sunday, August 16, 2009

Tyson Gay (Clermont, Fla.), men’s 100m silver medalist AMERICAN RECORD

It felt pretty good. I’m really happy Usain Bolt broke the record. I know that may sound strange. I knew it was humanly possible for someone to run that fast. Unfortunately it wasn’t me. I’m very happy with the race. I did my best the best way I could. I’ve been you all this year that it’s possible to run this fast. I did my best. I still know I have a lot more left in the tank. My groin is barely hanging on. In the final I just tried to block everything down and give it my all because there wasn’t that much left. (On the 200) I’m going to talk to doctors and everything. It’s at a pain right now and we’ll see how it goes tonight.

Darvis Patton (Grand Prairie, Texas), Men’s 100 Meters 8th place finisher

I just cramped up and I cramped up real bad. I couldn’t get into with these guys. It’s the second time I have been in the fastest race in history. That’s all I have to live on now. Cramping up is part of the sport. It’s unfortunate that it had to happen in the finals of the World Championships. Hats off to these guys. Everybody ran well. Everybody is a great competitor.

Michelle Carter (Ovilla, Texas), Women’s Shot Put sixth place finisher

I think I did pretty good today. I’m happy with what I did. I think it went well. I’m learning more. What I learned in Beijing I brought with me here. I have to keep on building and get better.

Bettie Wade (Ann Arbor, Michigan), Women’s heptathlon

I had to pick myself up, and did a lot of thinking over the last 24 hours.

I enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to compete here. It was hard to compete today. My season is officially done. My body’s slowly tearing down, so I’m going to nurse some small injuries I’ve accumulated, and take some time off to let my body heal.

Diana Pickler (Sacshe, Texas), Women’s heptathlon

I came in so prepared. I went in here faster and stronger than I’ve ever been, and I felt mentally prepared. It just didn’t start out this way.

The first day was a struggle, and it was so frustrating, because I knew that I did everything to prepare right for this meet. It was hard to go out there and be disappointed with the way things went yesterday. I was nowhere close to where I should have been.

Today, I just tried to block everything out. I was really happy with setting a PR in the 800 after what I went through the competition. Setting a PR in the 800 is going to make me mentally stronger.

Sharon Day (Costa Mesa, Calif.), Women’s Heptathlon

I’m very happy about my performance. It’s my first major competition at the international scale. I couldn’t be happier with 10th place in the world right now. (On the fast start in the competition) That’s the way it goes with the heptathlon. You are going to have some bumps and some ups and downs. You have to take it in stride. It was a really good experience to compete at a world level. I’m going to put this in my pocket and keep training.

Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.), Women’s 100 meters

I think I had a great race. It was a season best. Everything seems to be coming together. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I’m really excited that things are turning around for me. There are some really fast times. There are many sub-11s. My competitors have done it many times. I think there have been eight people that have been under 11 seconds. I haven’t gotten there yet. But 11.06 is going in the right direction. I am going to give it my best tomorrow and hopefully get on the podium.

Muna Lee (College Station, Texas), Women’s 100 meters

I am working on the beginning part, like I said. I wish I could go a round without a false start. It will be a hot semifinal, probably the best field I have seen in a while.

Carmelita Jeter (Inglewood, Calif.), Women’s 100 meters

It was a good race. I got out of the blocks real well. I am going to go back to the hotel, get some rest and come back tomorrow. Tomorrow is when it really counts. I’m satisfied with crossing the finish line healthy. That’s the only thing that really matters.

Rae Edwards (Kansas City, Kansas), Men’s 100 meters, semifinals

I gave up too much at the start. It’s as simple as that. As I re-watched it, I gave up too much at the start. Then I let the whole field get away from me. I’m not down about because obviously that was my purpose to be here. God has a plan for everyone. That was his plan. I’m not down about it. I had fun. In all reality, I’m not disappointed at all because I know I wasn’t even expected to get this far. Just to make it this far shows how beautiful God is. I’m disappointed at all. I would love to be in the finals. But I’m not.

Debbie Dunn (Norfolk, Va.), Women’s 400 meters

(Set a personal best in getting one of the two at large spots to the finals.) I needed that. I’m so happy, so happy to run again. I’m so happy to come out here, representing the United States for the world championship. To get a PR and make it to the finals, that was the goal. Now, the next step is on Tuesday. We’ll see what happens there.

(On waiting for the last heat to be completed to see if she qualified for the finals) I was nervous because with one heat to go, you never know when someone may drop a 49.04, and I could end up not being in there. I was kind of happy, but I had to see the last race. But after the last race, I went, “Yes.” I’m happy with the time and making it to the finals. I felt like I was on the bubble when I didn’t make top two.

Walter Davis (Baton Rouge, La.), men’s triple jump

It didn’t go to well. I had a little bit of runway trouble in the first jump. The second one, I started getting it together. The third one was going good. I just broke down going into my step. I wasn’t able to get out of it. We’ll shut down the season, then get ready for USA Indoors.

Brandon Roulhac (Tallahassee, Fla.), men’s triple jump

I felt good. I just struggled with my runway a bit. I’m now going to get ready for indoors. I plan to do a couple of more meets. It was a great experience. Now I know what to expect the next time.

Kenta Bell (Decatur, Ga.), men’s triple jump

I didn’t do as well as I wanted to. But it has been a long, rough season. I’m thankful to be here at this point. I had some injuries at the USAs. But to be on the team and be here is a blessing.

Jessica Beard (College Station, Texas), Women’s 400 meters

It was a decent race, but it wasn’t my best. I just went out and did the best that I could do, and I just have to be happy with what I gave tonight.

I’m looking forward to the relay and keeping my mind focused on the task at hand. Hopefully I can contribute to that.

Kerron Clement (Gainesville, Florida), Men’s 400 meter hurdles

My plan was to stay focused and take care of business, and run a strong last 150. I was really pleased that I did that, and got my 13 strides down. I’m feeling really confident going into the finals.

Bershawn Jackson (Champaign, Illinois), Men’s 400 meter hurdles

My goal was to come home with a strong kick, because that’s what it’s gonna take to win a gold medal here. So many guys are running fast and this event’s so competitive. With so many guys who are bigger and taller than me, I’ve got to make up for it in the second half.

Overall, I feel good, and I did what I needed to do.

About USA Track & Field

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For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org

Day 2 Morning Quotes, 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships

Genna Gall (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Women’s 800 Meters

The pace wasn’t as fast as I thought it would be. I was up there in the mix. It was a little bumpy at times. There was a big spill with 150 to go. I was right behind that pack. I don’t know how it all went down. I was paying right attention to it. I jumped right over those girls. I focused on the finish line, getting there, top three, and I did. I was real happy about that.

(On how close to the spill) I was right there. I had to slow down, pretty much jump, and then realized I was in the front. I had to gear up and get back on again. I wanted to get off the rail and get around those girls. Something happened and I jumped right over them. I’m excited to go to the next round. I can’t wait.

Hazel Clark (Knoxville, Tenn.), Women’s 800 Meters

I took the lead. I really didn’t want to. I saw that fall in the other heat. I was in lane 1, so I wanted to get in the front, get clean, and then let someone else take over. It was a good race for me. It’s always good to get to the next round. I got there as quickly as possible. I don’t feel exhausted. I’m excited.

Maggie Vessey (Soquel, Calif.), Women’s 800 Meters

The game plan is difficult because you don’t know what everyone else is going to do. You have to play it by how the race starts out. That seemed like the best thing to do for this particular race. The conditions were fine. Everything was good for me. What helped me out was I was paying attention to the monitors. Since I was out front, I wanted to see where I was in relation to everyone else. The point was to get to the next round.

Jillian Camarena (Tuscon, Ariz.), Women’s Shot Put

It was definitely a rough one out there today. I didn’t put it together. I’m happy one of us got through. I’ll be out there cheering tonight for Michelle (Carter).

Kristin Heaston (Opelika, Ala.), Women’s Shot Put

Let me just say I am always proud to represent the United States. I work hard for everything that I get. I can’t control injuries. Unfortunately, it just got me and I couldn’t open up. I have a knee/hamstring issue that has been going on for two years. I haven’t had the means to get it fixed. Hopefully, I can get it corrected. Now I can come back tonight and cheer on Michelle (Carter). I can put in all my energy into all my teammates and my training partners for Auburn, Ala.

Michelle Carter (Ovilla, Texas), Women’s Shot Put

I’m going to go out there tonight and do my best. My goal was to make it to the finals, and I am taking it one step at a time. It was a little bumpy for me. But it’s OK. I can make the adjustments I need to make for this evening. I just focused on me. Because if I know I can continue to increase, that I will get close to the automatic mark, if I don’t hit it. I was a few centimeters short of it, and that was OK. I did make it to the next round.

Joshua McAdams (Cordova, Tenn.), Men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase

The last four months, I have had a little bit of a lower ab/groin problem. I have run through it most of the time. After Stockholm, I could barely run. I was doing about an 8-minute pace per mile with my wife the day after. Monday I was feeling worse off. I took a week off. I saw the doctor on Friday and he gave me some pain killer anti-inflammatory. I thought I was feeling good. We did some faster stuff earlier this week. I could tell my calves haven’t done much in a while. I was just flat.

I probably went out a little too fast for myself. I should have held back on that first lap. But we are here at the World Championships you put yourself in it, top four or five. I want to be top four or five all the way through. I wanted to finish. With three laps left, 1,200 to go, I thought about dropping out. I’m wearing USA. If it were just me, it’s another thing. But wearing USA, they didn’t fly me all the way over here just to drop out of a race. It was tough. But I wanted to finish.

Dan Huling (Columbus, Ohio), 3,000 Meter Steeplechase

I wanted to get out front early, but my coach told me not to be the one to push the pace. The plan was to run 8:19-8:21, but I don’t know why I didn’t. I feel like I was in shape to do that.

It was a bit of a shock to be up front then all of a sudden be in the back. It wasn’t like they accelerated the pace. My legs got deader and deader. It wasn’t what I was looking for. Overall, I can’t complain and be too down on myself–there’s a bunch of steeplers back home watching.

Kara Patterson (Lafayette, Ind.), Women’s Javelin

I felt awesome today, but I’m frustrated and confused. I’m ready to be more consistent. The fact that I didn’t pull it together today is upsetting.

I had a conversation with (US womens assistant coach) Carrie Lane an told her about what my cues are. I knew what I was doing, but I like to have a little conversation to reinforce what I’m doing. I felt great after that and had my best throw of the day, but it was still pretty bad.

(on her first year as a pro) I now have a better idea on what to expect. I had an awful experience traveling to London (for the London GP), but I’m now ready for anything after that. With experience, things will get easier.

Rachel Yurkovich (Eugene, Oregon), women’s javelin

I’m really ecstatic (to be the first American to make the final in the javelin since 1983)!

(On the first throw which qualified her for the final) I knew what I had to do, and that’s throw high 59 to 60 meters to make the final. I’ve been consistent up there all year. I knew that I could do it, and I know how to throw the javelin, so I went with my gut and went back to the basics, had some adrenaline, and got it out there. I’m not only happy to make the final, but I’m happy that I can throw this far this late in the season. This was either my seventh or eighth time over 59 meters this season.

I just focused on me today. I can’t focus on what’s happening around me, and just focused on what I need to do.

Lauryn Williams (Miami, Florida), Women’s 100 meters

The goal was not to do anything that will mess you up from going into the second round.

Muna Lee (College Station, Texas), Women’s 100 meters

It wasn’t bad out there. I was out there cruising. It was pretty easy.

For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit www.usatf.org.

Day 2 Wrap Up - 2009 Nationals

Day 2 of the 2009 USA Track and Field Championships was full of surprises.

Can you run 10.78 and lose a race? Muna Lee did, by a fraction of a second. In the 100m finals, Carmelita Jeter beat her by a hair. The clock read 10.78 for both women, but Jeter’s was .001 faster. Lauryn Williams was right behind in 10.96. Jeter was ecstatic to defeat the defending champion and make her first world championship team.

“It’s a new year for me in 2009 and I’m really doing well,” Jeter said.

There was no Tyson Gay in the men’s race, but that did not take much away from the competition. Michael Rogers flew through in 9.91 with Darvis Patton and Manzavous Edwards.

“I came here with a lot of confidence. And when I get to Berlin, I think I can medal. I just have to train hard and stay humble,” Rogers said after his win.

Believe it or not, the most exciting race of the day was a distance race - the men’s 5000m.

“It was a hell of a race,” according to German Fernandez. Fernandez finished 5th and ran a new American Junior record, 13:25.56.

Anthony Famiglietti certainly made the race interesting. He bolted to the lead and did not let go, but Matt Tegenkamp and Chris Solinsky were close on his heels with Bolota Asmerom and Evan Jager. With one mile left, Asmerom moved to first and Famiglietti fell to the fifth position.

“Fam is notoriously a front-runner,” Tegenkamp explained, which helped him mentally through the race.

As the pack slipped away from Famiglietti, he made a bold sprint back to the front with 3 laps to go. However, he expelled too much energy with that move, Asmerom reacted in the last 800m, and Solinsky, Tegenkamp, Jager and Fernandez all went with him.

“I lost today, but the fans won,” Famiglietti said with a smile.

At 4800m, Tegenkamp, Solinsky and Jager took over and let the energy of the Oregon crowd carry them through the finish line for a 13:20.57 win for Tegenkamp.

All three men are members of the Oregon Track Club, but according to Tegenkamp, there is no team strategy for a championship race.

Another Oregon Track Club member, Kara Goucher, is one of the most versatile athletes in women’s track and field. This year she will run the world championship marathon, but the 5000m today despite her focus on the marathon.

“This has been the hardest season I’ve ever tried to put together,” Goucher described.

The endurance paid off as she hung on for a blistering final 3 laps with Jen Rhines. Goucher and Rhines cruised with the pack consisting of Erin Donahue, and gradually made their way to the front. Then with 3 laps to go, Rhines pushed to the lead and threw down a 69.4 lap. Goucher went with her as they left the field in the dust. Then Goucher unleashed her kick at the bell to finish in 15:20.94.

There are two more days of competition at the US Track & Field Championships, and more amazing races to come.

The much-anticipated Barringer vs. Willard match is Sunday, but today both women ran conservatively in their preliminary heats.

“Today I was going out and trying to be as easy as possible. I wanted to stay in my rhythm,” Willard said.

Geena Gall makes a smooth transition to the professional level so far, and says she believes she can make the world team. Not only did she run a fast time in her semifinal heat (2:01.99), but she showed that she can remain focused in a tactical race. Phoebe Wright tried to make a move on the home stretch, but Gall was able to hold her off.

Khadevis Robinson is in good form this year as he won the first heat of the 800m semifinals, followed by Ryan Brown and Christian Smith. Tevan Everett led most of the race, but could not stay there for long.

“We had a guy that took it out and made an honest race of it. That’s what we need, that’s what we want,” Robinson said.

Oregon favorite Nick Symmonds won heat 2 with a slightly faster time. Symmonds will duel Robinson on his home turf in the finals on Sunday. It will likely be a close finish between the two, but if the 5000m is any indication, OTC green is a lucky color.

2009 Reebok Grand Prix athlete quotes

Press Release by USA Track & Field.

Adam Montague, men’s javelin winner

It was my first competition since surgery (elbow). I started with 70 meters and it felt good. I didn’t know what to expect. My elbow held up, everything held up and things worked out.

Stephanie Brown Trafton, women’s discus winner

I’m very satisfied with today. Usually my first throw is my best. Today, I had an okay first throw, but the rest got better and better. I wanted to come out and do that.

Michelle Carter, women’s shot put winner

I felt good, the weather is great. I started out kind of slow. My last two throws were pretty good. My last throw was probably the best, but I fouled.

I’ve been training through some of my track meets, and I’m getting to my peak phase. I feel pretty good.

Tasha Danvers, women’s 400m hurdles winner

When you have the Olympic champion in the race, you’re always aware of the potential threat. At the end of the day, I had to stay focused in your lane so that’s what I did.

It was a good performance for me. It’s been a trying year for me already. We know that Melaine (Walker) can run 52 in her sleep.

It’s a fabulous sunny day here in New York with a fabulous crowd.

Bershawn Jackson, men’s 400m hurdles winner

My coach had a strategy and all I did was stick to the game plan. It feels great to come here and be victorious in New York.

I’m upset that I got a bronze medal in Beijing. It’s time to redeem myself and show that I’m the best hurdler in the world.

Lashawn Merritt, men’s 400m winner

The wind really played a part on the backstretch. By the homestretch, I was tired. I wanted to get the win and that’s what I did. I felt good before the race. The wind was really strong in the backstretch.

I feel stronger, training is going well. I plan on going to Berlin and doing something great.

Christin Wurth Thomas, women’s 1,500m winner

I felt good. My workouts are going phenomenal. To come out and lead from the gun is phenomenal.

Today was getting one under my belt, getting the cobwebs out. The goal is to keep improving.

Leo Manzano, Men’s 1500m winner

It was a great race. All the guys ran tough. I’m excited I got this race out of my system. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I wanted to race, run and have fun.

I think I’m in really good shape. My coaches have definitely prepared me well.

Carmelita Jeter, women’s 100m winner

I have a new coach (John Smith). My training is a lot more difficult, my mindset is much better, my technique is better.

With track, you can’t count anyone out, anyone can beat anyone on any day.

Allyson Felix, women’s 400m winner

I’m still in heavy training right now. I’m working to get better each week. I’m more focused on the 200.

Mike Rodgers, men’s 100m winner

It feels good. I have to stay humble and keep working hard. The Trials are in a couple of weeks.

I had a lot to shoot for this year. Last year I raced about 45 races. This year I’ve raced a lot less and gotten stronger.

Carolina Kluft, women’s long jump winner

I didn’t have a good feeling before. I’ve been injured all winter. I kept running down the runway and kept saying, “its okay, its okay.”

I feel good. I will not be in my best shape until the end of July or August.

The long jump is a new challenge. I definitely like it and I’m going to stay with it.

Terrence Trammell, men’s 110m hurdles winner

Today was better. I wanted to make sure I attacked the first part of my race. I should have stayed more aggressive. I feel good how things turned out.

On the last two hurdles I didn’t get my lead leg down like I wanted. It’s still a month until USA Nationals. By then, everything will be okay.

Khadevis Robinson, men’s 800m winner

Usually, I feel really good coming in. I had that extra confidence and get really amped up. Today I didn’t feel so good getting ready to run. I wanted to run a more strategic race.

I have to really focus on the last 50 meters. I thought I had it, I was looking and not focusing

A win is a win and at my age, its time for me to start enjoying all this.

Anna Williard, women’s 800m winner

The plan was to show I had another gear at 700. Even though I was third, with the last 100 I knew I could just kick and win.

Micah Kogo, men’s 5,000m winner

I’m happy this is my fast race. I needed to run under my PB. I was hoping to run under 13 minutes but the wind made it very difficult.

Lauryn Williams, women’s 200m winner

I always do better after a round. I always say I’m good for rounds so having to run the 100 set me up to run a better 200. I think it was a god race.

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show with Carmelita Jeter

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jay Hicks and John W. Davis recap the U.S dominate performances at Penn Relays, comment on building successful Team U.S. relay teams, and the duo catch up with Carmelita Jeter about anchoring the 4×100 meter relay at Penn Relays and the difference this year resulting in her world leading time of 10.96 in the 100 meters.

- USA vs. the World
- Sam Chelanga breaks NCAA 10 k record
- Runnerspace Video: Shannon Rowbury sets world lead in 5k

Special thanks to Carmelita Jeter. PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show, where the real playas come to hang out!

Instantly Analysis: Campbell-Brown Leads Jamaican Entourage In Shanghai

-Shanghai, China-Anytime Olympic champion Yelena Isinbeyva of Russia enters a meet, there is bound to be fans in the seats. But on Saturday all eyes were focused on Vernonica Campbell-Brown, who lead a group of Jamaicans athletes wrapping up their season at the 2008 IAAF Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.

The show stopper was a Jamaican-surprise. The 200-meter Olympic champion from Beijing, Veronica Campbell-Brown won a blistering late season race in 11.01 at 100-meters. Lauryn Williams of the U.S., ran a solid 11.26 to earn second place honors.

She may have been tired from the long season but she was definately entertaining. Yelena Isinbeyeva, did not break her own world record, but she cleared a modest 4.60 meters. The greatest women’s pole vaulter ever cleared 5.05 meters in winning the gold medal in Beijing and in the process rewrote her own world record.

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell did not compete in Shanghai, but Jamaican Michael Frater took the men 100 race in 10.05 and Nesta Carter was a close second.

It doesn’t matter if the one lap race has hurdles or not for the Atlanta resident. You have to respect the talent of Angelo Taylor. The 400 was won by Taylor in a very respectable 44.94 over Gary Kikaya of the Democratic Republic of Congo (45.09).

Not to be out done–Dawn Harper did a repeat of her Olympic gold medal performance. Harper flew over the 110n hurdles in first (13.56), which is a new stadium record. How good is Hyleas Fountain? The Olympic silver medalist Fountain took an impressive third place finish in 12.96.

Fresh off a winning the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart last week, he did it again. David Oliver finished strongly to win the 110s in 13.25.

Olympics gold medalist Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain continued her post-Olympic performance decline. She finished a distant fourth place (52.30). Jamaican’s Shericka Williams and Shereefa Lloyd took first and second place, respectively in 50.88 and 51.24.

Click here for full results.

Jay Hicks For Prerace Jitters.

Jamaicans Go 1-2-3 in Women’s 100

Lauryn Williams takes fourth place.

-Beijing-The Jamaicans proved they are the fastest humans on the planet. First, Usain Bolt of Jamaica won the men’s 100-meters while doing dance moves the last 15-meters of the race. The only thing missing from the performance was a dj and spinning some of that legendary reggae dance music.

Oh wait, that came after the race.

The Jamaican women picked up where Bolt left off. Shelly Ann-Fraser finished first in 10.78 seconds, well ahead of silver medalist Sherone Williams and bronze medalist Kerron Stewart, who were both timed in 10.98.

After the race Ann-Fraser jumped up and down in celebration after witnessing her wide margin of victory on the jumbo screen, similar to Bolt’s win yesterday.

The Jamaican sprinters came in with top times and put together consistent races leading up to Beijing.

Lauryn Williams, the silver medalist in Athens, was fourth, and Muna Lee, the Olympic Trials champion, was fifth. Veteran sprinter Torri Edwards was eighth.

After the race Williams said, “It was incredibly close. The only thing I could say about the photo finish was ‘oh-oh, not again.’ I thought the photo was between me and Sherone for third, but it wasn’t. I put what I had on the line today. I’m not upset. 10.78 was a great time.”