Athlete Quotes - Day 6

Sunday, July 21, 2002

Ivory Williams, Gold medal in Mens 4x100m (38.98) Third leg **World Junior Record**

"I saw we were in third place. I saw Wes (Felix) coming hard and I was trying to do was come in first so Willie (Hordge) could finish off hard. If I come in first, I knew he was going to do it, I knew we were going to come in first.

Willie Hordge, Gold medal in Mens 4x100m (38.98) Anchor leg **World Junior Record**

"I saw him (Usain Bolt) right behind me, so I was trying to keep on pulling out. I had to do what I had to do.

I was hoping to get the lead in first and I was hoping to finish off in first. Thats what I did. Our goal was to run 38 and thats what I accomplished.

Wes Felix, Gold medal in Mens 4x100m (38.98) Second leg **World Junior Record**

The crowd was great and they were cheering their team on. So we just wanted to go out there and run our best. The second leg ran a great leg and I was just trying to bring it in hard to Ivory (Williams), because I knew he was going to get the stick around to Willie (Hordge) and lead us to victory.

He (Orion Nicely) was pushing me right along. Thats what competition is all about. The other guys are just as good as you are, you just go out there and you both battle. We battled today and today we came out on top.

We come on these junior trips and they tell us that we are the future of USA Track & Field and we try to go out there and perform like we are the future. So we come out, we do our best and we work hard and we try to carry on the legacy.

We were definitely determined to come out and win, but we were doing it more for ourselves. We were coming out to win medals, not coming out to beat the Jamaicans, because the Jamaicans are a great team, this is a great country and weve had a great time here. We were doing this for us, not to beat your guys.

Christina Hardeman, Gold medal in Womens 4x400m (3:29.95) Lead off leg **American Junior Record**

I was just trying to stay with the girls and pull through. If anything happened, just keep going. When it came to the last straightaway, I just wanted to give it all Ive got. I did everything I could and it feels great.

Tiffany Ross, Gold medal in Womens 4x400m (3:29.95) Third leg **American Junior Record**

Im just excited that everyone went out there and did their best. Ive been dealing with this hamstring injury the whole meet. Im just glad that I came through for my country to help us get a gold medal.

Lashinda Demus, Gold medal in Womens 4x400m (3:29.95) Anchor leg **American Junior Record**

I got boxed in a little and Im not used to running from the back. When she saw me coming up, she kind of went to the inside and I got boxed in. It messed up my steps but I still came back strongly at the end.

Monique Henderson, Gold medal in Womens 4x400m (3:29.95) Second leg **American Junior Record**

I came here and did everything that I wanted to do. I am very satisfied and very happy.

(Before the relay) We just prayed that together wed all be strong. We knew that we had a lot of adversity, but we all had confidence in each other and we pulled it off.

Jonathan Fortenberry, Gold medal in Mens 4x400m (3:03.71) Anchor leg

He (Jermaine Gonzales, JAM) was gaining, but I knew I was stronger. I had to run with the lead all day. There was no pressure, I was running against myself, but he was a very hard challenge to battle off.

Darold Williamson, Gold medal in Mens 4x400m (3:03.71) Second leg

We just ran our best and went out there to do our thing.

Kenneth Ferguson, Gold medal in Mens 4x400m (3:03.71) Lead off leg

Im just geeked and pretty excited right now. I all wanted to go was run well and give them a cushion to run with.

Ashton Collins, Gold medals in Mens 4x100m & 4x400m (38.98) & (3:03.71) Lead off (4x100) & Third leg (4x400) **World Junior Record in 4x100m**

I feel great. I came out here all nervous and now Im leaving all happy.

It was a long week for everybody and all of us had confidence in what we were going to do and everybody came out there and did their part.

Antwon Hicks, Gold medal in Mens 110H (13.42)

"I just went out there and did what I had to do which was to get out of the blocks, because of what happened last night, the slow start. Once I got out there, I just ran a good clean race and came out with the victory.

He (Dongpeng Shi) gave me an excellent race. I knew coming into this World Junior Championships that he was going to be one of my strongest competitors. I just tried to get out there and go as fast as I could.

Marshevet Hooker, Silver medal in Womens 4x100m Relay (43.66) Anchor leg

"The relay got changed up a little bit (with the injury to Sanya Richards on Saturday), but we had to relax and deal with the situation. It wasnt meant to be and the time will come.

Ashlee Williams, 4th place in Womens 100H Final (13.36)

"For me personally, I knew she (Cubas Anay Tejada) was a great athlete. I was just trying to pace myself off of her. I had a great start, I just didnt finish strong like I should.

Kenneth Ferguson, 5th place in Mens 110H Final (13.91)

"I started out pretty good, I just didnt finish the race. I banged my knee on the hurdle, which knocked me off balance. Ive got to learn from my mistakes

Chris Lukezic, 11th place in Mens 1500m (3:46.01) Personal Best

"It felt good. I made my move, but then I got tripped up. When I was recovering from that. Everyone just pulled away and I did not have time to respond. It was an alright race, but I think it could have went a little better. Thats the way racing goes.