Day 5 evening quotes, 2009 IAAF World Championships

Bernard Lagat (Tuscon, Ariz.), Men’s 1,500 meters bronze medalist

That was the hardest box ever. This is a box that was happening a little too close to the finish. Normally, when it happens, with 300 meters to go, you can make your way out of it. This one happened at the wrong place, with 150 meters to go. I couldn’t do anything.

Lopez Lomong (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 8th in Men’s 1,500 meters

It’s good, it’s hard and it’s nice. This was a good experience for me. It was fun here, running with the best of the best in the world. It was fantastic. I was right up there. I was caught up in a little situation. I got boxed in a little bit. I’m not going to beat myself up just because I lost today. I’m going to use this for my confidence and get ready to go. I hope for next time it will be a little bit different. I had a great time here in Berlin. I talked to Bernard. I congratulated him. He ran a fantastic race. He was able to bring home a bronze medal.

Leonel Manzano (Austin, Texas), 12th in Men’s 1,500 meters

These guys are the best in the world. I was glad to be in the mix. It was a great race for everybody. You work very hard. You can’t make any mistakes when you are competing at this level. The big goal was to make the world championship team. The next goal was to advance to the finals. Once in the finals, I was going to give it a good go. I tried to give a good go. I gave it my best. The first couple of laps, I tried to get in there. I gave it a good shot. It didn’t happen. I don’t think I’m disappointed. Finishing 12th in the world isn’t that bad. It was a great season and the season is still going on.

Ginnie Powell (Los Angeles, California), 6th in Women’s 100 meter hurdles

The race was very messy. I felt good, especially over the first four hurdles, and then I was trying to press so hard that I was clipping hurdles. I clipped one real bad and that threw me off.

It’s sad that two of America’s top hurdlers couldn’t medal, and especially under Bob Kersee. It’s the first time in a long time that he didn’t get a medal in a major meet.

Anyone on that starting line could have won that race. (One of the girls) was saying that if you make one little mechanical mistake, no matter how fit or strong you are, it’s over.

Dawn Harper (Los Angeles, California), 7th in Women’s 100 meter hurdles

I had a real good start. I hit hurdle 2, and there’s not really much you can do when you hit it. I hit it real hard and I almost fell. It’s hard to regroup when you’re chasing 12.51.

I feel like I let my coach down (Bob Kersee). Ginnie and I were both ready to go. We just didn’t execute our race.

You cannot count out anyone in that race. Everyone there was ready to go.

Casey Malone (Ft. Collins, Colorado), 5th in Men’s discus

This German crowd was really incredible. They were cheering for everybody, and especially for Robert (Harting) the loudest. These folks really know their discus out here.

I felt like my throws got better and better as the competition went on. It’s funny that I kept throwing better and better but I could never throw out of that fifth spot. Technically speaking, my throws got more relaxed towards the end. I wished I had more throws. Maybe I could have gotten fourth, but I wished I could’ve gotten that one big throw.

Ashton Eaton (Eugene, Oregon), Men’s decathlon

Coming into this meet, I knew that Trey (Hardee) and I were the fastest, so I wanted to set the tone early.

I felt good going into the long jump, and was excited about that PR. The shot was tough to manage. It’s going to be a while before I am competitive in that, so I have to manage it. The high jump is something I’m a bit inconsistent with.

The key to the decathlon is consistency. I just have to do my normal stuff.

Trey Hardee (Austin, Texas), Men’s decathlon

I came out like a cannon in the first three events, Point wise, I have to be happy with where I’m at, and I’m looking forward to getting some rest.

I’m looking forward to an exciting second day. These guys are excellent competitors.

Shawn Crawford (Los Angeles), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

I was hoping that would be a sub-20 race. I have to change my race strategy. That strategy right there is for the birds. Trying to run hard from the blocks to the turn is not for me. I think the final is going to be fast. My goal is to run 19.51. I would be very happy with that.

Wallace Spearmon (College Station, Texas), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

It was pretty good. I’ve been trying to go out there and run a little bit harder in each round. But at the same time, I know Usain Bolt is an animal, and I am going to have the best race of my life to beat in the finals. I look forward to my chances and I look forward to tomorrow. I’m going to look for a PR tomorrow and try to get on that medal stand.

Charles Clark (Virginia Beach, Va.), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

My goal was to go out there, run hard and make it to the finals. It’s an honor to be here to represent the USA. I take pride in that.

Allyson, Felix (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I felt good. I wanted to come out and focus on the start and control the race from there. I want a personal best. I’d love to defend my title here in this stadium. That would definitely be special.

Muna Lee (College Station, Texas), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I ran more in control. I got some sleep. I’m just taking a day at a time. I want to be in control of my race. I don’t want to mess up.

Marshevet Hooker (Pflugerville, Texas), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I felt really good. I worked really hard. I didn’t know if I was going to see anybody. (Running in Lane It was the first time I have ever run in Lane 8. My main goal was not to see anybody. Now I know I can do it. It’s one more thing to add to the resume.

Charonda Williams (Richmond, Calif.), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I have been waiting for this. Now it’s finally here. I just have to run the rounds. My race went pretty well. I was racing just to make it to the next round, which I have accomplished. I ran relaxed and good. I like my start. I was very aggressive there.

Jarred Rome (Chula Vista, Calif.), Men’s Discus

I felt great yesterday. My legs felt great. My technique felt good. Everything felt good. Then today, nothing felt good. I couldn’t even hit one throw. I had high expectations and I don’t even know what happened.

Damu Cherry (Winter Garden, Fla.), Women’s 100 hurdles, semifinals

If I’m supposed to be in the final, I will be there. If not, I gave it my best effort.

Lionel Larry (Compton, California), Men’s 400 meters

It was a lot better than the last time I came to the world championships, when I didn’t finish. I can walk away with some dignity in my head so I can’t be too mad.

LaShawn Merritt (Suffolk, Virginia), Men’s 400 meters

I set it up real good. I had a great race. I wanted to come out today and set the bar. I wanted to set the tone today.

I moved a little bit harder than I did yesterday, and that’s what makes my times drop. I’m the type of person that thrives off adrenaline, considering the crowd is great and the track is great.

I didn’t run as hard as I could have, as I wanted to save a little bit for the final on Friday. People are ready to come and run hard–this is the biggest competition of this year.

I’m expecting a win–it’s not really a time. What it takes to win is what I’m gonna run.

Jeremy Wariner (Waco, Texas), Men’s 400 meters

It was real good.

**Beginning tomorrow, quotes will be posted LIVE to www.usatf.org in the evening sessions, updating periodically throughout the competition.

Day 3 Wrap - U.S. Ready For the World

The Nick Symmonds vs. Khadevis Robinson show unfolded beautifully in the 800m final. Tevon Everett led the pack through the first 400m in 51 seconds. As usual, Symmonds began his signature kick from fourth to first at 600m. Symmonds and Robinson were neck and neck over the last 100m, but Symmonds had the home turf advantage and the roar of the crowd to pull him past the line first in 1:45.86.

Two young stars, Geena Gall and Phoebe Wright, trailed three-time Olympian Hazel Clark in the women’s 800m. Clark led from the gun through a 59.43 first lap. She struggled some on lap 2, but pulled ahead to win it in 2:00.79.

Jenny Barringer and Anna Willard expectantly went 1-2 in the 3000m steeplechase. Willard has raced a lot over the past few days as she also competed in the 1500m, so she did not quite have enough left to challenge Barringer. She did, however, have a good race with Bridget Franek and Lindsey Anderson.

Barringer went to the lead and stayed there. She cruised along with Anderson and Willard close behind.

“It was really windy out there so I wanted to take command of the race from the beginning,” Barringer said.

The breeze was no problem for Willard because she had Franek and Anderson with her. With about 1200m left in the race, Barringer surged ahead to open a 30-meter gap. Franek made her move to second on the next lap and dropped Anderson. Then it was a battle for 2nd place as Willard went with Franek. Willard beat her to the line about 6 seconds behind Barringer.

Shawn Crawford ran a fast 19.73 in the 200m. He had a good start among the talented field. He dominated the race with Charles Clark behind him in 20.00 and Wallace Spearmon in 20.03.

“It was pretty controlled,” Crawford said. “I’ve been practicing driving through the first 120 and letting my body carry me the rest of the way.”

After winning the semifinals, Allyson Felix also started well in the women’s race to win her fifth national title in 22.02, followed by Muna Lee and Marshavet Hooker.

“What I wanted to do was just really focus on the start, and just work on driving out,” Felix said.

The 1500m was an exciting race. Leonel Manzano, Lopez Lomong and Will Leer led the first 800m, but then Stephen Pifer sprinted to the front. He could not hold the pace as he was passed by Lomong, Manzano and Leer. Lomong moved in front of Manzano with 200m to go, and Dorian Ulrey kicked for a surprising 3rd place. Ulrey came into the race as one of the underdogs and was elated with his race. Cloud nine is not the limit for Ulrey. He said he was on cloud 10.5 after this accomplishment.

In the 100m hurdles, Dawn Harper won her first national title and ran 12.36. Virginia Powell and Damu Cherry were close behind.

Bershawn Jackson ran the fastest time in the world this year in the men’s 400m hurdles, 48.03 seconds. Johnny Dutch was surprised by his 2nd place finish, ahead of Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor.

“I looked over to my left and noticed I was 2nd or 3rd and thought ‘oh I made the team!’” Dutch said.

Taylor seemed disappointed not to win, but said he was glad to be on the team. Jackson agrees that the main goal is Berlin.

“Once you make the team, everything will take care of itself,” Jackson said. “We have the greatest hurdlers in the world.”

Lopez Lomong, Texas Invite

Lopez Lomong, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Texas Invite - PreRaceJitters’ Live Coverage

-Austin, Texas.

-Live Results

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Almost overnight the Texas Invite went to be a low key track meet the place to be. The meets stature was upgraded with the presence of Baylor and Texas A&M.

With U.S. less than six weeks away, a group of talented professional runners such as Tyson Gay, Wallace Spearmon, Andra Manson, Lopez Lomong and Lionel Larry hit the Mike A. Meyers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

He has gotten his season started. 2007 World Champion Tyson Gay finished third in the 400 meters, setting a personal best time of 45.75. The winner Tabarie Henry of Barton County Community College scorched the track in 45.09, ahead of Lionel Larry in 45.27. Speamon finished seventh in 47.33.

Texas senior Tevan Everett won a loaded 800m race in 1:47.39, the fastest collegiate time in the nation. Also in the heat were Olympian Lopez Lomong, All-American Chris Gowell and his brother Tevas Everett.

The first lap Tevas came through the 400 in 49 seconds, with a 16 meter lead over the field. The pack began closing the gap by the 600 meter mark where Gowell and Ali Al-Deraan, and Lopez Lomong had caught up. Tevan dropped a kick in the final ten meters to win the race. Ali Saad Alderaan of Saudi Arabia was second in 1:47.45 and Baylor’s Chris Gowell finished third in 1:47.73.

Spearmon doubled up finished second in the 200 meters running 20.60 to place second in heat behind winner Kellie Willie in 20.45 and ahead of Michael Rodgers (20.61). In heat #2, Brendan Christian won the event overall running 19.98, however the wind (+2.8) was overall the allowable limit. Trey Harts finished third overall, the top collegiate runner, in the men’s 200 meters with a time of 20.33. The time is the second-fastest in the NCAA this season, behind Harts’ 20.29 set at the Michael Johnson Classic.

Baylor’s Tiffany Townsend won the women’s 200 meters with an NCAA-leading time of 22.63, breaking her own school record of 22.75 set at last year

In the men’s high hurdles, Ryan Brathwaite ran 13.05, but the the +3.6 wind at his back was over the allowable limit. BartonCounty’s Alonzo Edward won the 100 in 9.97 but was aided by a +2.3 wind.

Men’s 400 meters, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Men’s 400 meters, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Men’s 800 meters, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Tyson Gay, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Andra Manson, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Men’s 200, Heat #2, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Wallace Spearmon, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Lost Boy,” Lopez Lomong Chosen to Carry U.S. Flag at Opening Ceremonies

His selection couldn’t be more spot on.

What a difference eight years can make. Eight years ago, Lopez Lomong was a man without a country, without his family, and without much of a future at that time.

Yet today the 1,500 meter runner was selected to the prestigious role of carrying the U.S. flat the Opening Ceremonies on Friday in front of a packed house at the National Stadium.

His life’s experiences are every bit harrowing and inspiration.

Lomong is a “Lost Boy” of Sudan, a group of youth forced from their homes and traveled sometimes hundreds of miles through unimaginable conditions and survived against all odds. Thousands died along the way.

While praying at church Lomong was kidnapped at the point of a gun at age 6, by militiamen trying to turn children into boy soliders. As a prisoner, he watched other boys die of dysentery and starvation. With the help of friends, he escaped confinement and walked for days to a refugee camp in Kenya.

He then spent ten years in that refugee camp. In 2001, he was brought to America as part of a program to relocate lost children from war-torn Sudan.

It would be 15 years later before Lomong would learn that his family was alive. When he was presumed dead, the villagers of his home in southeastern Sudan held a ceremonial burial, putting objects in a grave to symbolize Lomong’s presence. Upon his return there in December, Lomong took part in another ceremony to disinter the symbols, effectively bringing him back to life.

I couldn’t be more proud at this selection. The 1,500-meter runner is the embodiment of what this country is about. Only in America could this ‘Lost Boys” story have lived out to this dream scenario.

This may all sound cheesy but some where there is someone in the worst of possible situations that will hear Lomong’s story and they will find an extra gear to rise out of their seemingly impossible situation.

This person may hear how Lomong in 2000, walked five miles and paid five shilling to watch the Olympics on a fuzzy black and white television only to become inspired by Michael Johnson’s gold medal 400-meter performance.

That’s what the Olympic Games is all about.

Jay Hicks