Athlete Quotes - Saturday

Women's 20 km Race Walk

Michelle Rohl - winner

I guess it went pretty much as I expected. I sensed that Joanne Dow was slowing down at the end and I was able to get around her and go on to win. I would've liked to get the "A" standard, but I'm happy with how I walked. I felt like I expected to feel.

Women's 3,000m steeplechase

Briana Shook, winner

My plan was to run this race like any other race. I treated this race like any other race. (On taking it out hard) That happens a lot. I always take it out hard. If the others go, then they will go. I was concerned that someone may catch me. But I'm not going to alter my race for someone else.

Kathryn Andersen, 2nd place

I was still tired from nationals, but I felt pretty good. I kept telling myself 'be strong, finish the race.' My body was tired, but I was still trying for it. I'm always excited for USA's, so I was ready today. I think now I'm going to take a break and focus on cross country for this fall.

Men's 400m

Tyree Washington - winner

I am really happy with the time. I think now at this point in my career and I look at myself and see that I am the underdog, you know I am very humble. I just want to take it (everything) day-by-day and meet-by-meet. After 1997, I wanted to change my running style. I just went back to the basics. I plan to run every race like it is my last race. Calvin and Jerome are excellent competitors.

Jerome Young

My strategy was to run my own race and make the team. I am satisfied with my time. I know these guys were going to do a good job. I think we will have a great team going into the world championships.

Calvin Harrison

Running in lane one is never easy with a field like this one here. There is a lot of depth. No one wants to run in lane one or lane nine. We have to make it a positive. My key to was to stay with Anthuan (Maybank) because he is a strong 200-meter runner in the 400.

Women's 400m

Sanya Richards - winner

I felt pretty good in the race today. I geared my training to this race today. I was really excited with the win. This is a big accomplishment, this is my first time running in the seniors. I tried to get out aggressive (from the start).

Demetria Washington - 2nd place

It means a lot to me to be on the world team. My goal was to make the final in the 400m final at worlds (world championships). I think we have a really good chance of winning. We're going to be fine.

De'Hashia Trotter - 3rd place

This race seemed a lot tougher than NCAA's. The times were a lot slower, but maybe because everyone was tired. Making the team was my first priority. Earlier this year, I wasn't planning on running the 400 til SEC's (Southeastern Conference Championships), My times weren't very good earlier.

Women's 400m Hurdles

Raasin McIntosh - winner

I could've finished second or third and been happy. Between the NCAAs last week and this event, it's a huge mental barrier with so many races. I'm a fighter and I'll fight hard for whatever team I represent, whether it's the University of Texas or the USA. This was a perfect day to race and I'm happy to get the win.

Joanna Hayes - 2nd place

I wish I could've run from a different lane because I couldn't tell where I was against the competition. I thought I might've been in sixth place. All I know is that I'm going to Paris and that's good enough for me.

Men's 3000m Steeplechase

Steve Slattery - Winner

If you're a competitor, you always find something in the last 100 meters. I felt smooth the whole time. When I saw that finish line, I just wanted to jump up and land on it. I'm in the best shape of my life. I think I'll run some fast times in Europe the next couple of months. Today was just the first step.

Daniel Lincoln - 2nd place

I went for it. It could have been better. I wanted to win the race, but I needed to make the team. I have never made a US team before. I was a little flat on my kick at the end. I shuffled in the kick. I did have a good race.

Robert Gary - 3rd place

My plan was to take the lead in the beginning. Once I got strong, I just tried to keep it going. At the end I was trying to fight off third, other than trying to outrun Dan.

Women's 1,500m

Regina Jacobs - winner

It's very exciting. She has lots of ability (on Tiffany McWilliams). But today we saw the future. It felt like (the race) slowed down, then picked up. The race, when we get to Worlds is going to be very different.

Suzy Favor Hamilton - 2nd place

Today was just to make the team. I am looking forward to Europe (world championships) to show my true form. . I am delighted with today. All in Europe go out hard and run an honest race.

Tiffany McWilliams - 3rd place

I'm excited. This is a new experience for me. I have had a very long season. I'm ready for a break. I am looking forward to the cross-country season. We have a great group of ladies coming out. I'm hoping to win the SEC championship.

Men's Shot Put

Kevin Toth - winner

We all have to stay healthy. We all have hurt fingers. We don't have the luxury of the NFL by getting guaranteed money. Pain is part of the game, but I did what I had to do to get the job done today.

John Godina - 2nd place

As far as competition it is all going to be tough. The competition here is always going to be tight. That's why we do so well at the worlds and the Olympics. It's hard to get there, but the competition here is always great.

Reese Hoffa - 3rd place

I am very happy. This year has been very special. I hoped to have the opportunity to break into this group. I just let the cards fall where they may.

Adam Nelson - 4th place

I'm excited that I made it. But I'm not excited with how I got there. My first throw felt good, but it was a foul. I made my second throw a safe throw just to get a mark. I have many more good throws in me.

Men's Javelin Throw

Breaux Greer - winner

This was first my meet using the full approach, so I think my performance was crap. I think it's still possible to throw 90 meters. My timing was there, I was just missing it. This was just my first meet, but I have a lot in Europe. The more meets you do the more comfortable you get. In Paris I just expect to have fun. I'm just focusing on next year. Everything that happens between 2000 and 2004 is a bonus because next year is what matters.

Men's 110m Hurdles

Allen Johnson - winner

Once the gun went off, I was focused on my lane. I ran as hard as I could. Technically it was an OK race. I've had better races. I feel good about the Worlds. We have two months to go. There is a lot of work to be done. I'm on the right path.

Terrence Trammell - 2nd place

I'm happy about today's race after my long layoff due to injury. This was my first race since March. This race was a lot faster with the wind. My technique is a lot better. I've had a lot of time to just focus and mentally prepare for what I am doing.

Larry Wade - 3rd place

I'm used to running with the elbow problem now. I wouldn't know how to run without the pain. I'm going in the right direction right now. Today didn't go as well as I wanted, there's a lot of work to be done.

Men's 200m - 1st round

Maurice Greene

It was all right. I wasn't trying to do anything special. I ran at about 80 percent today.

Women's 200 Meters - 1st round

Allyson Felix

I'm really excited about competing here. My high school graduation was last night and we drove all night to get here. We arrived about 3:00 in the morning. I'm confident and I've prepared well. My family helps me a great deal. Making the World Championships team has been my goal all season.

Women's Pole Vault

Stacy Dragila - winner

All in all I competed well and I'm happy to get the win. My coach (Greg Hull) and I have been working on some new things. I've trusted him from the start and I'm confident in what we're doing. I wanted to come here to compete well and win. I'm leaving tonight for a couple meets in Europe before coming home to train hard with longer poles.

Men's Decathlon

Tom Pappas - leader after 1st day

Everything was pretty much expected except the long jump. I think realistically I can get another PR in the second day. I think I am better shape than three weeks ago. I had some pretty good marks and to have a PR in the long jump today is a bonus. After the long jump I was pretty fired up and everything kept clicking from there.

Brian Clay- 2nd place after 1st day

I'm concentrating on taking one event at a time. I'm trying to just stay mentally strong and so far it's working. If I keep plugging away, we'll see what happens tomorrow.