Athlete Quotes - Friday

Men's Weight Throw

Parker, Mens Weight Throw, 1st place: Todays performance really wasnt bad. Ive been training really well. I was expecting a big mark. I came in and warmed up well. The first throw was a foul. The second throw was safety throw and the third throw wasnt that great either. It took me until the final to take a warm-up then I found it again, found my feel, my technique. In the finals I gave it a good shot, of course, two PRs.

I was really pleased with my performance today. I left it strong until the end and I think thats what helped me win it. I think I was surprise to most people; Ive never been a strong competitor in this event. Im one of the smallest guys out there, probably one of the smallest guys out there in terms of height and maybe weight also.

A.G. Kruger, Mens Weight Throw, 2nd place: Im really happy with improving by a foot this year, going 73 last year and 74 this year which was good at the meet. The bad thing was that I didnt win. Last year it got me first, this year it got me second. James had a real good throw and he did real well, so thats a good job for him. Im happy with the performance and happy to do it this early in the morning, be able to come and compete and do this well.

Women's Weight Throw

Erin Gilreath, Womens Weight Throw, 1st Place: Obviously what went well is that I won. I would really like to improve my distances;. Ive been throwing 76-77 since November, so I really think I should throw farther. A lot of times when you come to competitions like this, things arent necessarily ideal, especially the warm-up the day before, how you handle traveling things like that. You cant be disappointed with a win, but I definitely wanted to throw farther.

Ive had much better days where Ive been able to feel things a lot better. I think maybe I came into this a little hyped up and maybe wasnt necessarily feeling everything I should.

Anna Mahon, Womens Weight Throw, 2nd Place: I felt great. This is definitely my best season, my best meet in about two years. I threw pretty well. The thing that I was really pleased about was that it felt like the hammer and thats what weve been working on all the time in practice. I wanted to come in here and end with a really positive note and I felt like I did that. I felt like I competed really well and it was really good. I felt great.

My last throw was my best technical throw and it was my second farthest throw. If Id have gotten that a little earlier in the competition, I probably couldve thrown a PR which is kind of what I was looking for today. I look it (competing indoors) as getting into the competitive mode.

Women's 800m - 1st round

Hazel Clark, Womens 800m prelims: I just wanted to get out, get in the front and keep it going smooth. I wanted to keep the pace honest. Because sometimes when you slow it down too much, somebody sneaks in on you, then youre not in the final. I just kept it smooth, I felt good. Im the type of runner I dont think about it much (my competitors). I just do what I have to do and where I end up is where I end up.

Chantee Earl, Womens 800m prelim: I was excited about the race, looking forward to qualifying. The object is to get out soon at a comfortable pace, relax and maintain until the last 400. I thought it went very well.

(on Saturdays final): I pretty much want to focus on the middle. Sometimes I fall asleep there. I just want to maintain with the people who are leading and try to make that world team.

Nicole Teter, Womens 800m prelim: It was kind of hard to run because you had to win this semi to advance. I didnt want to go big sometimes so I basically took it at a pace that I was comfortable with, and I just controlled the race, trying to make it as easy as possible. I took some of the spring out of these girls because thats what youve got to do. My goal tomorrow is to make the team.

Jen Toomey, Womens 800m Prelims: Ive been working on different parts of the 800m because Ive really been in my comfort zone. I want to get out of my comfort zone a little bit by running hard the whole way. I have been doing a lot of pace work.

Men's 800m - 1st round

Michael Stember, Mens 800m Prelims: I felt very confident. I just wanted to find a way to get the next round, whatever it took. You never know whats going to happen in this heat. There are a lot of good kickers in the next round and I think my fitness level and strength should pay off in the later part of the meet. I think am in the right position and I dont think no one can beat me in the world.

Men's 60m Hurdles - 1sr round

Ron Bramlett, Mens 60mH prelims : It went ok- I advanced. I won. I like that there are rounds. Each round you get better. I hope I can get faster each round. Larry Wade, Mens 60m H prelims: It was good. I went out, got it out of the way, and then go back to the hotel.

Allen Johnson, Mens 60m H prelims: With the way the first rounds went, it was a lot faster than I thought it would be. My race went well.