USA Indoor Championships quotes, day 2

Below areathlete quotes from day 2 from the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, a part of the Visa Championship Series.

Quotes Day 2:

Gwen Wentland, Women's High Jump winner: This is my third competition since having my baby. The crowd (support) was great.

My technique was the best it could be with my foot being injured. I'm probably 10 years older than my competitors today. As a matter of fact, I recruited Kaylene Wagner (runner-up) and Sharon Day (tied for third-place) to compete at UC-Irvine while I was coaching there. I'm happy I could come out and perform well against them.

I want to dedicate this win to Ed Mikinski (father-law), who passed away this week. I want to get ready for the outdoor season and hopefully be ready for (USA & World Outdoor) Championships.

Jill Camarena, Women's Shot Put winner: It was a little rough out there and frustrating. It's good to compete and win, but I just didn't feel quite right. I felt a little slow and my technique was a little off. Hopefully it'll be there for the outdoor season.

Brian Johnson, Men's Long Jump winner: The mark is not what I wanted, but I am happy to be back on the scene and get a good jump in to win

My technique is getting better because my training is going really well. I've been able to work with Kenta Bell. He has worked with me on my up and my drive phases.

This will be my first full season competing in track & field because I played basketball at Southern (University) the last four years. Now, I'm just focusing on track and trying to get better. My goal is to make the top three in the world this year.

Tora Harris, Men's High Jump winner: This is the best (mark) I've jumped this year being as though I flew in from Europe just a few days ago. This is my third meet in six days. This is a good place to jump.

I've made some small changes in my technique with my improvement slowly ongoing. This year is all about working to better my performance.

Jamie Neito, Men's High Jump runner-up: I'm disappointed with my performance. Everything was going great in the beginning.

This is a fast surface and I kept running into the bar. I had great height, but I pressed to hard and then I missed. I just did not do what I needed to do (for the win).

Jennifer Stuczynski, Women's Pole Vault winner: The win has not set in yet. I just want to know what happened on my last jump.

My legs felt tired going down the runway, but I kept pushing. I did not feel everything was on top (regarding performance). I have a lot of work to do on my technique.

I just plan on training hard after this because I have a lot of things (regarding technique) to perfect.

John Godina, men's Shot Put winner: I thought for sure that I'd won (after his winning throw) but those guys kept trying, Adam (Nelson) and Reese (Hoffa) especially. I'm not going to lie, it was a good, good throw for indoors. I thought it was about 73.

(About his training): I'm very determined to stick to a plan, even if it costs me some early meets. I'm going to stick to it. It's fun to win one again because we all trade off all the time. I knew what we were doing was working.

Reese Hoffa, Men's Shot Put runner-up: I was not putting everything together (in technique). I just wanted to get a good throw in and I'm happy that I got a personal best, both indoors and outdoors.

I am motivated for the outdoor season. This was the meet I really wanted to go out and win. My main focus is winning.

If (today's competition) is an indicator of what is going to happen for outdoors; this is going to be a very competitive outdoor season.

Adam Nelson, men's shot put third place: I had a tough time getting going. I've had a problem with my right foot for a week and a half. It's some kind of a big toe strain or sprain. I wanted to wait until after Nationals to get it looked at. This week I'll go in for an x-ray or MRI. I knew that after fouling on my first two attempts that I needed to get one in. After that, I went for it.

Tim Seaman, Men's 5,000m RW winner: It was tough out there. After the Olympics I've had to deal with a couple injuries and it's been tough to motivate myself. I have a typical race walker's injury where it hurts my shin when I point my big toe and it causes pain. I think I need to rest it for a while.

Shayne Culpepper, Women's 3,000m winner: I felt real good. My training has been better than ever. I felt poorly at the U.S. Cross Country Championships two weeks ago. This was a small, but strong field, which is good because there's less room for elbows. I tried to kick a little earlier than usual to see where I am. I'm looking forward to the World Cross Country Championships in a couple weeks. We have a real good women's 4 km team. I think we have a good chance to get on the podium.

Jonathon Riley, men's 3,000m winner: It's been a good three years for me at the Reggie Lewis Center. I'm happy that Nationals are going to be here the next three years, until 2007. The crowd has been so supportive. I just want to win for them.

This championship was similar to the first one, it was a pretty steady pace. This one was the hardest one. It had a progressive buildup, the pace got faster and faster. It was very draining just to keep the pace up. I just hoped that I'd have enough left to get in front of Bolota (Asmeron) and I did.

Jennifer Toomey, women's 1,500m winner: I didn't know what to expect going into this race. I was surprised to be in the lead so soon. Once I was there I just decided to take it out, which was good practice for me. Sometimes you have to expect the unexpected. To win here on my home turf bodes well for me.

Scott McGowan, Men's 1,500m winner: We all went out quick and then the pace got slow. It couldn't have played out any better for me. It's been two years since I've had injury problems and I've been able to increase my mileage. My main goal this summer is to make the U.S. team to compete in Helsinki (World Outdoor T&F Championships).

Rose Richmond, Women's Long Jump winner: I'm happy that I won, but not with my performance. I am still having some technical problems, but I will get it together for the outdoor season. I wish I would have jumped further because my goal was to come out and jump 6.60m.

I am happy to win my first championships. This is something else to add to my resume.