Athlete Quotes - Day 6

MEN'S 200m QUALIFYING

Heat 1

AARON ARMSTRONG, Nike

"I feel good, and ran well enough to advance. It was good to let your legs loose after competing in the 100. In the next round, I plan on going out a little harder. We have four rounds, so that's tough on the body. You just have to go each round based on how your body is feeling."

WALLACE SPEARMON, Arkansas

"I expected (Justin) Gatlin to run a great race and I tried to stick with him. Coach said to get out, but not to push too hard. That's all I wanted to do was save energy for the next round. I got a wind-legal PR, but I felt like crap. In the Olympic Trials, you have to expect a PR at any time. You don't want to go out and be left behind."

JUSTIN GATLIN, Nike

"I came out trying to have a good showing, and prove to all the competitors that I'm ready. I've had some problems with my curves, so I went overseas to work on them, but my straight-away was phenomenal."

Heat 2

DARVIS PATTON, adidas

"I didn't think lane three would be that hard of a lane, but I was trying to advance."

About Shawn Crawford's 19.88 in the third round: "I've seen all kinds of times in different rounds. If he can do it all four rounds, I'll be impressed."

WOMEN'S 200m QUARTERFINALS

MONIQUE HALL, LSU

"They were holding us for a long time down there, and the wind was horrible down the home stretch, so the times were a little off. I wished Torri (Edwards) luck before the race and told her not to worry. This is my first 200 of the year, I ran a 200 here last year at NCAA's and got 6th, but I've been focused more on the 400 this year to build up my strength."

MUNA LEE, Nike

"I felt fine and it was an easy run. I was running off my training partner (Stephanie Durst). I've never come in here with a lot of confidence, but that helped to motivate me. The 200 is long enough, I don't want to race any race that is longer."

INGER MILLER, Nike

"This is my first 200 in a while, so it was a good showing. I'm feeling much better health-wise. Last Saturday was a freak thing. It was good to get on the horse, it was a shaky race and I felt awkward."

ANGELA DAIGLE, Nike

"It felt pretty good and I got a PR. I didn't go out hard, but I built up speed. Towards the end, I have a habit of getting out too hard, so I tried doing the opposite. Once I came off the curve, I was able to look around a little to see where everybody was, and pushed it on home."

MEN'S 1500m SEMIFINALS

PAUL McMULLEN, Coast Guard

"I didn't have the foot speed at the end of the day tonight. These young guys really go fast. I needed more speed work, I needed to run more 800's."

CHRISTOPHER ESTWANIK, Farm Team

"I saw I was in good position with 150 meters go. It's always easier to slingshot around 3-4 guys on a curve. It's the first time in my career I've been able to peak at the right time. In the off-season, I trained with James Lunn. He took me under his wing and he was a great training partner.

As for Sunday, I'm going for broke. I have absolutely nothing to lose."

GRANT ROBISON, Reebok

"I had plantar problems in my foot since January and have tried to cross-train through it, but I'm still missing that edge. Right now, I have a manageable level of health and I have another month to get stronger. I'll keep training hard and hopefully I can get back to the 3:35 or under level. I'm not happy with my race."

MICHAEL STEMBER, Nike

"Alan (Webb) is the only guy that can outkick me, so I wasn't surprised he was out there in front. I'm ready to give it my all in the final, and I'm confident in my abilities."

DONALD SAGE, Stanford

"I don't see many "A" qualifiers on Sunday, but I do think we have a lot of guys capable of that time in the next few weeks. It's been an up and down year for me, and I'm glad to make the final. Come Sunday, I hope the adrenaline is pumping and will carry me through. I do need to work on my positioning. I'm a small guy (5-9, 130), and I got pushed around a little tonight, but everybody was pushing everybody, so it was nothing personal."

WOMEN'S 1500m SEMIFINALS

JENNIFER TOOMEY, Nike

"Our race was more tactical, so it was fairly slow. With all the big races, I get incredibly nervous, so it wasn't any different. I know that, in general, I recover fairly quickly, so I'm not worried about recovering for the final. I made it to the final, and that's all that matters."

SARAH SCHWALD, Nike

"If you have a good finishing kick, you can prepare for this. I've been through a lot in my career with injuries, but sometimes just being here gets you through. I'm in the top five, I made it to the finals. I hope I have a lot left in terms of energy.

"I'm more happy when the race is fast because you get a good time even though you don't win. I love Sacramento and it's a lot nicer than I expected. I actually began my running career in Concord, Calif., in the first grade (1980). The heat and humidity is not a factor for us, it just keeps us loose."

SUZY FAVOR HAMILTON, Nike

"I've been injured, so I've only had four weeks to train. The race was good, and I'm glad it turned out as well as it did. Let's just pray for a good one on Sunday."

CARRIE TOLLEFSON, adidas

"The first lap, it felt slow and then I heard 61 seconds, so I knew it was time to run. I'm glad we still ran 4:09, because it felt good and didn't take a lot out of me. I'm glad this was fast, so the final will feel even better. I knew coming in, that the 1,500 had a really strong field."

SHALANE FLANAGAN, Nike

"I'm a little tired after the 5k (Monday). Coach said I'd have to do a workout today, so I decided to race today instead. His workouts are harder than the races. I was chopping my steps, I didn't have a lot of rhythm and I wanted to get in the final. I was surprised that I was only two seconds off my PR. I think I have a 4:07 in me when I'm fresh, but I've run 4:09 this year."

MARLA RUNYAN, Nike

Whether or not she would compete in both the 5k and 1,500 in Athens: "The 5k is tough. I think everyone will try to get the "A" standard. Everyone is trying to get in the top three. We'll just see who is ready on Sunday."

MEN'S 5000m FINAL

MATT LANE, Nike

"I'm severely disappointed to finish fourth for the second Olympic Trials in a row. This is devastating, I'm kind of in no-man's land (regarding whether or not he will attempt to get the "A" standard). The strategy was to run faster, but it didn't work out."

JORGE TORRES, Reebok

"I wasn't in the shape I needed to be in today, so I have to be realistic about how I ran. I tried to go with the pack, but I had some 66-second laps and they got away after 3K. The last 1.5 laps, I tried to close some, but didn't have enough. I have to accept my place for what it is, and hopefully I still have a few Olympic games ahead of me.

"I got injured at USA Cross Country and hadn't been able to carry the fitness I had then, or I would have been in 13:15 shape. I do have the "B" standard, so I will go over to Europe this summer and try to get the "A" standard. Even if it doesn't work out, it will still be a good experience."

TIM BROE, adidas

"I had a bad race a few weeks ago, and people started to write me off. Since then, I've been feeling very good. The hardest thing is keeping your confidence.

"My grandmother passed away two months ago, so I ran this for her. When I was out there, I imagined her there on my shoulder saying, 'You can do it.' It's been a long four years since 2000, and I'm glad it all came together. I'm still not on the team quite yet. I have to get an "A" or "B" standard in the next couple of weeks.

"I never run well when I worry about the clock. Usually, if it's a good race, the time will come with it. I'll race in two weeks in London at the Crystal Palace GP to get the "A" standard there."

JONATHON RILEY, Nike

"I think Tim (Broe) has a great shot at the "A" standard, and I'm in an interesting position. For me to qualify, he either has to run under 13:21 to get the "A" standard or slower than 13:25, so he gets neither standard. I came in expecting to win, but knew Tim would probably be the biggest competition. That's why they have the race, you have to go out and earn it.

"I just tried to say relaxed and composed the first half of the race, then I wanted to move up to a good position with 2K to go. With two laps to go, I felt great, but then at 600, I started to run out of gas and that's when Tim (Broe) put in a good move. I wish I would have had more left."

BOLOTA ASMEROM, Nike

"I felt O.K., but I made a big mistake. I didn't race the way I normally do, and tried to do something different. I made too many moves too early, and let the shifting in pace get the best of me.

"The "A" standard had never been on my agenda. I just learned to have a good race."

WOMEN'S 10,000m FINAL

KATIE McGREGOR, adidas

"I tried to take the race as two 5K's. After the first (half or the race), I knew we were off the "A" standard, and I started having a hard time. Coming in, I felt fit enough and wish I would have run a lot faster. In fact, one minute faster. I haven't thought past this race to what is ahead. I'll probably go over to Europe and give the 10K one more shot."

ELVA DRYER, Nike

On stepping up to the 10k this year: "I think I'm better suited for the longer events. The 10K is still new to me. I came in this meet in top shape. I put myself in position to make the team."

With Deena Kastor's decision to forgo the 10K for the marathon, how did that affect you? "That was a bit of a safety net for me, and I wanted my position guaranteed so I was aiming for the top three.

DEENA KASTOR, Asics

"I definitely felt this competition is the toughest 10K team we could send to Athens. I will forgo my 10K position on the Olympic team. My motivation was strictly based on how my workout have gone over the last few weeks.

"There was never a thought in my mind of doubling (competing in the 10K and the marathon in Athens). Being here tonight was in the spirit of the Olympic Trials. They do such a great job here, the people of Sacramento, the local organizing committee, the energy of the crowd, I wouldn't replace it for anything. It's so much better than sitting at home doing a work-out."

On making the Olympic Team in 2004 vs. making it in 2000: "Now, I feel like I belong there. I really believe that in the marathon, I have the best chance of medaling."

WOMEN'S POLE VAULT QUALIFYING

STACY DRAGILA, Nike

"Sacramento has always been special to me. It's home to me. It was a little chaotic out there, but I just started to settle (the crowd) down. We prepare for this, elite athletes train for this since October. I like the heat, I've always done well here. I always encourage the crowd to clap for me when I'm going down the runway. The warm weather keeps me looser."

KELLIE SUTTLE, Nike

"I started at my normal opening height and got it on my first jump. I skipped the lower height because I knew that height wouldn't qualify. Tonight was easier than the men's prelims in that the crosswind wasn't as strong. I feel like I'm in my best shape sine 2001."

BECKY HOLLIDAY, Unattached

"This is my first post-collegiate season, so I'm still getting my rhythm. I don't need to peek just for this meet to make the team. I felt good and the conditions were also acceptable. I'm from nearby Penryn and I have 15 friends and family here."

WOMEN'S SHOT PUT FINAL

ADRIANE BLEWITT, Ashland Elite

On her shirt that read "I Kicked Cancer's (Butt)": "Last October, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and started chemotherapy in October. I've been cancer-free since April and had three solid months of training after the chemo. I didn't do much the first three months of the treatments except fuss around in the weight room. In January, I started to get serious and started rebuilding the strength I had lost. My first meet was the Sea Ray relays in Knoxville two weeks after my last treatment. Overall, I lost 20 pounds and probably 40 percent of my strength. This has totally changed my outlook on throwing and I have a great appreciation for my family and friends who supported me.

"Coming in to this event, I had hoped to just make the finals, so to get fit is so rewarding. I can't stop smiling. I'm ready to go another four years. The top girls are super athletes and all bring a special energy to the event."

LAURA GERRAUGHTY, North Carolina

"Yesterday, I came to the meet and had the jitters. I'm a lot more calm now. I'm more focused, I'm so calm and collected, I knew I could get it together.

Regarding her referencing the meet as a national championship: "For me, that made the meet less threatening."

KRISTIN HEASTON, Nike

"I've probably been to more big meets this year than anybody. I finally hit the "A" standard at UCLA, and I did it twice there. I've never been so emotional at a track meet as I was at UCLA. With tonight's performance, hopefully I've jumped to the next level. We have so many awesome throwers, it's a good group, and a good situation to be in.

Note: She wore her father's sweats (her Dad, Steve, passed away in 1999 and was the assistant men's water polo coach that won gold at the 1988 Olympics).

JILLIAN CAMARENA, Stanford

"Today, I felt good. I think I'm ready to hit the "A" standard. As long as I can do that, everything else will work out. If I don't do it on Sunday, then it's back to work on Monday and I'll be looking for more meets."

MEN'S DISCUS THROW QUALIFYING

ANDREW BLOOM, Nike

"This is three straight nationals that I've come up short. I injured my back 6-8 weeks ago - this is my first major injury in four years - but I don't want to blame today on that. I should have still qualified for Sunday. I'd like to think I would have put up a hell of a fight on Sunday. I still thought I would qualify until the last throw when the 180-foot line started to look far.

JARRED ROME, Unattached

"I wanted to map out what I wanted to do on Sunday, because Sunday is the real deal. I wanted to work on foot work, not foul and not doing anything dumb. Each throw got better, which is exactly what I wanted. It's about getting into the top three and making the team. With the nerves that come with the event, you don't always throw as far. It's going to be a battle among 5-6 guys for the top three spots."

MEN'S DECATHLON - DAY ONE

TOM PAPPAS, Nike

"My high jump was very disappointing. Other than that, I'm pleased. I didn't execute the way I'm capable of. I know there is a lot more there. I'm here to make the team. It's just about being in the top three. My shoulder is good. I'm a first-day guy this year, and I'm excited about the second day tomorrow.

"Now, it's all about making the team. I kind of know what he (Bryan Clay) is capable of. The better the competition, the better the scores. I had a feeling that Bryan and I would be close after the first day, so it should be interesting."

BRYAN CLAY, Nike

"My 100 wasn't very good, and during the race, I dinged my left hamstring. I almost didn't long jump, but I got treatment and, after that, I was at about 85 percent. That's the way things go, that's the breaks."

BEVAN HART, U.S. Army

"My high jump was mediocre, and I thought I'd run faster in the 400. This is the best first day I've had in a long while, so I'm happy. My PR is within reach."

STEPHEN HARRIS, Unattached

"I messed up in the long jump, but came back strong in the high jump and I really like my chances tomorrow."