Day 1 Team USA quotes from Osaka

Day 1 Team USA quotes - August 25, 2007

Men's

Men's Marathon

Mike Morgan (Rochester Hills, Mich.): "We knew people would go out too fast. I was close to last at 5k, but that's what I visualized. It went better than I expected for me. The second half was really horrible, but I knew it was going to be."

Kyle O'Brien (Shelby Township, Mich.): "We all came in here looking for a high individual place, but as a team, we knew if we ran well, we could place higher than Helsinki. We knew it was going to be a tough day. You can't outrun the heat, and can't outrun the humidity. It was OK. I was moving up the entire time. I had hoped to place in the top 20 individually. This race meant the world to us. We were focused 100 percent on the World Championships. For me and my teammate Mike Morgan, it was important for us to make the team and get the international experience."

Fernando Cabada (Bloomington, Ind.): "It was hard. It was just so hot and humid, there was nothing you could do. I felt terrible from 5k on. It's the worst conditions I've ever run in. You could go 30 years and never experience something like this."

Mbarak Kipkorir Hussein (Albuquerque, N.M.): "I was hoping to place a little bit higher than I did, but the conditions were too much. I was conservative for the first half. The second half was a challenge. The humidity got to me. I think we finished fourth which is great. We have a really young team. The guys ran great. They gave it all they have."

Men's Shot Put

Reese Hoffa (Athens, Ga.): "I went out there, and got in one throw. I'm now going back to rest and get something to eat. (On the heat) It's not hard to throw. It's kind of like this in Georgia. I've had this kind of weather for two months now. It doesn't bother me. (On teammate and defending champion Adam Nelson qualifying for the finals) If I'm going to win this, I want to win it with the defending champion there. If I don't win and he wins it again, hats off to him. He's an incredible competitor."

Adam Nelson (Charlottesville, Va.): "I went out and had a little glitch on the first throw, but it was a good throw. I felt real good. I went out on the second one and took care of business. (On the heat): It's warm, but I'm from Georgia. This is par for the course. It's warm, but it's something to deal with. They have us covered with a big tent and plenty of fluids. (On teammate Reese Hoffa being in the finals) It will be fun. We have a good friendly, competitive rivalry. It will be a lot of fun to have another American there."

Dan Taylor (Carbondale, Ill.): "It wasn't good. I felt ready and my second throw was good enough to advance, but it landed out of the sector. I couldn't put it together. I don't know what it was."

Women's 3,000-meter steeplechase

Jennifer Barringer (Boulder, Colo.): "I think I ran a good race. My water jumps were good on six of the seven. I was able to catch people there. I learned an important skill. I stayed calm and worked my way up."

Lindsey Anderson (Morgan, Utah): "It was kind of a bummer for me. I ran as hard as I could. I didn't go through, but that's OK."

Anna Willard (Ann Arbor, Mich.): "It was hot and I was flat. I didn't make a move when I should have. I really wanted to make the finals, but I don't think I did."

Men's 1500 meters

Bernard Lagat (Tuscon, Ariz.): "It's beautiful to run with this uniform (laughs)! I think I'm going to sleep with it tonight. I felt good today with my race. The only thing is that I didn't run as smart of a race as I normally would. I'm not the kind of person who will run, get tripped, and get boxed in the middle. I learned a lesson today, and I'm going to run differently in the semis. Running as bad as I did, I really feel strong. On my medal prospects, I'm gonna hunt for it."

Leonel Manzano (Austin, Texas): "Running against these guys was a new experience. When you run here, you have to bring your "A" game. I plan to come back next year and do it again."

Men's 100 meters

Tyson Gay (Fayetteville, Ark.): "It went well. Words can't describe the track. I wanted to run 10.3 but I couldn't run that slow. It's the fastest track I've ever run on. I'm really looking forward to this evening and tomorrow."

Mark Jelks (Kansas City, Kan.): "I took a nasty spill on the warm-up track and twisted my ankle. I felt it from my knee to my ankle. I'll be OK for the relay."

J-Mee Samuels (Fayetteville, Ark.): "I did pretty good. My hamstring is sore and I gotta get past that. I got out of the blocks good. The track is fast and bouncy."

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For more information on Team USA at the World Outdoor Championships, visit www.usatf.org/events/2007/IAAFWorldOutdoorChampionships/