Athlete Quotes - Day 1

Benjamin Shorey - winner, men's race walk

"We've been planning on this for about a month now since the NAIA Nationals (which he won). My first goal was to finish this race and it went well until I started to slow down in the final 6K. The last mile went a little faster."

With his performance today, Shorey has acquired the qualifying mark to compete in the 2002 World Junior Championships.

Marvin Lewis - winner men's long jump

"I hadn't jumped in a while because I have been hurt (pulled left hamstring). It was frustrating because my mark keep going off, so finally I just had to bust one."

Sanya Richards - winner women's 200m

"I got out really well, I thought and then when I came off the turn, there was this terrible head wind. I tried to stay relaxed, but she (2nd place finisher Allyson Felix) was right there with me. We were going at it together and then she just happened to fall."

"It was my decision and my parents, but I wanted to compete for the U.S.A. I am happy and when I go there (World Junior Championships), I can hopefully compete well in front of my home crowd."

Wes Felix - winner men's 200m

"I was watching her run (younger sister Allyson in women's 200m final) and that always gets me a little pumped up. When I saw her go down, I was a little nervous. It was a tough win. This race was a nice temperature, but that wind was crazy."

Erica McLain - winner women's long jump

"It was really windy today. I don't think any of us jumped as well as we wanted to. Usually 19-3 is an opening round jump for us. Triple Jump is my better event, but I really wanted to do well here in the long jump too. With the wind I really wasn't sure what I was going to be able to do. I didn't get the mark I wanted on my last jump, so I had to sit and keep my fingers crossed. I was able to relax a little bit, because I knew coming in that I already had a qualifier for the worlds."

Tommy Skipper - winner men's pole vault

"I felt really good today. I didn't sleep very well last night, because I was nervous about the meet. Usually I don't get nervous. I got here today and I was feeling good. My legs felt good and my run was on. The wind was kind of blowing from the side and it was really unpredictable and hard to get off a good jump. I'm really happy with the 17-6. My goal is be consistent around 17. Today was the best day I think I have ever had in a competition. I think without the wind I may have been close to the meet record (he attempted a new MR). I have never been to Jamaica and I am really excited. I am really looking forward to the international competition."

Michael Robertson - winner men's discus

"This was my second meet back on U.S. soil since I was in the eighth grade. I competed last week in Raleigh (National Scholastic Meet). I felt a lot better than I did last week. It was a little tricky with the new two-kilogram discus. I think it was kind of hard for a lot of the guys. I really didn't know what I was going to come out here and throw. I got a good throw early and then kind of messed up a little bit in the middle. When I realized I was going to win, I was able to relax and get a better throw. The conditions were pretty cloudy and windy when we started, which reminded me a lot of Belgium. It felt like I was back home. I've had the opportunity living in Belgium to compete against a lot of good throwers, which was really good experience for me. Then I had to come here and compete against another group of really good athletes. I was very happy. I will be back in the U.S. competing for SMU next year

NOTE: Robertson represents the International School of Brussels

Dan Glaz - winner men's 10,000-meters

"This was my third 10 k of the year, so I felt pretty comfortable and knew what to expect. My training has been going really great. I was just waiting to find when to make a surge and try to put the group away. My coach Robert Gary (Ohio State U.) has done a really good job getting me ready for this event. I had a disappointing cross country season and wanted to win a junior championship to kind of make up for that. I am really excited about going to world juniors and representing the U.S. It is such an incredible honor."

Lindsay Zinn - winner women's 5,000-meters

"It (the event) was exciting. I have never done anything like this (national championship meets) before. In high school I tried to stay away from the big events. My coach at Purdue talked me into trying this. It was his idea and I agreed and went for it. I didn't really have a strategy tonight. I just used a plan I used in high school. I let the other girls lead and then when I feel comfortable, I make a move. I am really excited about going to world juniors in Jamaica."