Quotes - Thursday - USATF Outdoor Championships
Men’s javelin final
Sean Furey, winner with final-round throw of 272-7/83.08m
On winning his second national championship (his other USA win came in 2010):
“These are the moments that make you glad you stick with this. It’s why I’m 32 and I’m still doing this.”
On moving past leader Riley Dolezal (264-11) with his sixth-round throw:
“I said when I started throwing the javelin that I wanted to win 10 national titles. This is just my second, so I’m going to have to throw until I’m 90 to make it. On my last throw, I knew that I would at least finish second and go to worlds, but I stopped myself and said, ‘No, you only have so many chances to win championships. Go for it.’”
On how far he’s capable of throwing:
“I know there’s a lot more. People would say I’m crazy if I told them how much more.”
Men’s hammer final
Kibwe Johnson, first place, 252-5/76.95m, top throw by an American this year
“Things have been going well later, after years of not going so well.”
On the fact that the top three finishers (Johnson, Conor McCullough and A.G. Kruger) all have the IAAF A standard and will be going to the World Championships:
“I can’t remember the last time there has been so much quality throwing in the U.S. We have a lot of good talent coming up. I’m so glad Conor is back. (McCullough competed for Ireland before switching to the U.S. this season.) He’s going to be a good one for a couple more Olympiads.”
On his expectations for Beijing:
“This was a good meet to build on. If I could get another meter I’d be fine. I’d like to throw 78 meters and see if that gets me on the podium.”
Men’s long jump final
Marquis Dendy, first place, wind-aided 28-5 3/4/8.68m (longest jump in the world this year under any conditions)
On whether he considers himself primarily a long jumper or a triple jumper (he won both events earlier this month at the NCAA Championships):
“Now that I’ve jumped 28 feet, it’s dead even. I can’t say which I like most.”
On registering a wind-legal career best 27-6½/8.39m in the sixth round:
“That was the one (Florida) school record I didn’t have, so it was nice to get it.”
Marquise Goodwin, fourth place with a wind-aided 27-5½/8.37m
Goodwin, a receiver/kick returner with the Buffalo Bills, was competing in his first track meet since the 2012 Olympics:
"I asked my agent if there was anything in my contract that said I couldn’t come here. I first started thinking about it about a month ago. I was just messing around in the gym and went up for a dunk. I thought, man, I can still jump. I’ve still got a little juice in the tank. That’s why I’m here.”
On whether he’ll continue to jump in the future
"I don't know man, it depends on what the Bills will allow me to do. Football is my main deal right now.”
Men’s discus final
Jared Schuurmanns, winner, 212-1/64.64m
On winning his first national title:
“I didn’t come here with any plans other than to win. It went exactly to plan. I wanted to open with a throw of 62 or 63 meters, something safe, to make sure I advance to the final three throws. Then I wanted to throw 64 or 65 meters in the second round. I was able to do that. The wind was kind of tricky in the later rounds, but I think there’s a lot more to come this year.”You take thousands and thousands of throws before you get here. Then it’s just time to execute your throws.”
Women’s shot put final
Michelle Carter, first place, 65-8¼/20.02m (sixth USA outdoor title)
“Every year is different. It’s almost like you’re building a pyramid, and you’re trying to reach the top.”
On getting her winning throw in the opening round:
“I surprised myself today. My first throw isn’t normally my best, so this put me in a different situation, where I spent the rest of the competition trying to top it.”
On reaching the 20-meter mark for the first time since 2013:
“Now we know what I have in the tank. It’s hard to go through a whole season without throwing 20 meters. Today it’s like I said, ‘Hey, I’m still here!’”
Women's 10,000 final
Molly Huddle, first place in 31:39.20
On frequently checking her watch during the race:
"I'm not used to 10k pace, I just wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing, that I wasn't going too slow or too fast. I wanted to keep a good pace, stay in that zone, I felt good."
On switching from 5k to 10k:
"I felt good during the 10k’s I did on the road, but they’re a little more intense on the track. I'm happy with how it went. I was pretty confident in my kick."
Shalane Flanagan, second place, 31:42.29
“My initial plan was to be aggressive, knowing that I don’t necessarily have the track wheels that Molly and Emily do and some of the other younger legs out there. But I just realized as I got six laps in that the headwind and the heat would take too much of a toll so I had to revise literally on the fly and tuck in for a bit and recuperate and make for another push at some point.
“I knew with Molly being right there, I could tell she felt really good and I knew with Emily, her training has gone exceptionally well, that it was going to be a battle.”
“The goal was to get it down to three people by the last few laps so we could absolutely secure Emily and me making the team.”
Men’s 10,000 final
Galen Rupp, first place, 28:11.61
On the distractions of the past couple of weeks:
"The people here are so great, the support I've received down here and everywhere has been tremendous, I just wanted to thank everyone for their continued support over the years and obviously I was happy to win, too."
"I just want to get ready for the 5k on Sunday because it's going to be a tough one."
Ben True, second place, 28:14.26
“I knew Rupp would make a strong effort at the end. I was going to try and match anything he did. I did the best I could, but I was drained at the end there. I can’t complain with second place.
On the upcoming 5,000 meters:
“I was not comfortable, I can tell you that right now, but I’m happy to make my first world team. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow, see if I can come back and run a 5k. That was my focus all along. We’ll see what happens. This heat took a lot out of me.”
Junior women’s discus final
Josephine Natrasevschi (Brown), first place, (175-7/53.52m)
On winning the event:
“It’s a great feeling. This is big for me. I have Olympic aspirations, and this is one of the steps.”
On returning to Eugene after placing 16th at the 2015 NCAA Championships with a best mark of 51.38m/168-7:
“I felt kind of flat at NCAAs. I was really struggling with my energy level. Today was much better.”
Junior men’s javelin final
Curtis Thompson, first place, 237-4/72.34m
“Really, I’m not here to compete against other people. I like to compete against myself. I was really thinking about finally securing a spot and looking more forward to seniors.”
Thompson competed in the senior men’s javelin final later Thursday, placing sixth with a best of 237-9/72.45m.
Women’s 800m first round
Ajee Wilson, winner of first women’s 800 heat in 2:01.96
On winning the heat
“My coach wanted me to go out and lead it, or try to lead it. I wasn’t sure what Alysia (Montano) was going to do. At the top of the (final turn), he told me to bring it home.”
Looking forward (semifinal Friday, final Sunday)
“I’m not counting anyone out.”
Molly Ludlow, winner of second heat in 2:03.73
"I'm getting the cobwebs out, my legs were feeling a little flat because I've had zero practice this week really. Just getting the job done."
"I'm really glad the field is deep, 2:03 to win in the first heats. It's going to force me to move forward."
Brenda Martinez, winner of third heat in 2:02.33
“I felt relaxed most of the way. I tried not get overly excited. It felt good.”
On her form this season:
“I’ve been a little inconsistent in my racing. I’m trying to concentrate on what I’ve done in training. We backed off on the some of the volume recently and I’m starting to feel more like myself .. snappier.”
Chanelle Price, winner of fourth heat in 2:02.60
"Coach just said go out there, lead it and be smooth. Have something left. The goal is to make it to the next round."
On the depth of the field
"I love it, it's anybody's game. Just make it to Sunday. I love how it's wide open. There's no heavy favorites."
Men’s 800 first round heats
Duane Solomon, defending champion and winner of first heat in 1:47.39
“There are certain times when I don’t know how the body’s going to react, like in New York. I’ve been running with a calf injury all year. But I was confident today and look forward to defending my title.”
Erik Sowinski, winner of second heat in 1:47.80
“I tweaked my hamstring a little in a race in Birmingham (England), and I wanted to go out today and prove to myself that I’ve got it figured it. It felt good and I’m looking forward to Friday’s semifinal.”
Nicholas Symmonds, second place in third heat in 1:46.37
“I think the semis will be quite a bit competitive tomorrow. I probably won’t goof around as much in those semis.”
“I never watch rounds that much. I think they’re a little anti-climatic. Usually the favors get through with not much trouble and a lot of times guys come out flat in the first round and great in the second round or vice versa so I just need to focus on myself.”
Brannon Kidder, winner of fourth heat
"I just wanted to get out. Going into the second lap I got wide and started moving up. I moved up on the backstretch. It's just about getting to Sunday."
Women’s 400 heats
Allyson Felix, winner of first heat in 51.40
“It’s a little windy out there. I just wanted to get through (and advance).”
On whether she might run the 400m at the World Championships (she has an automatic spot in the 200 meters):
“I’ll focus on this and see. I’ve got to make the team first (before deciding).”
Quanera Hayes, winner of second heat in 51.31
"I was doing what I need to do to get to the next level in my career. One of the main things I was working on is my third 100. We've been working on that in practice every day. That's what I was looking for."
Sanya Richards-Ross, winner of fourth heat in 51.93
“It felt pretty good - my first race in three weeks. I’m a little bit rusty, but I’m looking forward to (Friday) and then a great final.”
Francena McCorory, third heat winner in 51.25, Thursday’s fastest qualifying time
“It felt nice and easy. I’m happy with the time. I train in Virginia so the heat doesn’t bother me.”
On being in one of the U.S. women’s top events:
“The 400 is always stacked, so I’m used to it. It’s a lot of fun to run against such good competition.”
Men’s 400 meters first round
David Verburg, winner of first heat in 45.20
“I’m happy with the outcome. The heat doesn’t have much of an effect on us. We were training in 100-degree heat all last week so we feel right at home.”
“The wind was a little strong down the backstretch and I’m not the biggest guy out there so I just held my composure and I knew the wind would be on my back coming home so I just waited.”
LaShawn Merritt, winner of second heat in 44.95
"I just need to take it one race at a time. I haven't ran three rounds in a couple years. I’m pretty sure it's going to be hot in Beijing, so this is perfect weather to prepare me."
Marcus Chambers, winner of third heat in 45.27
“It felt smooth. I felt good. I just need to recover and see what happens next. Your confidence has to be really high if you want to race against these guys, and I think I can race with anybody. I’m just going to go out there confident and run my race.
“I’m not nervous, I’m confident. I know I can race with these guys. If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t run my race. I’d run a 46 and be out of here.”
Vernon Norwood, winner of fourth heat in 45.49
"I can't make any bold predictions. I'm just coming out to do my best, shoot for the stars. I hope to do something big."
Men’s 400 hurdles first round heats
Michael Stigler, winner of second heat in 49.66, Thursday’s fastest qualifying time
Other than the final, the first round is the toughest race, because you have butterflies but don’t want to waste too much energy. To get it out of the way and advance is the big thing.”
Bershawn Jackson, winner of the third heat in 49.96
“The first round is always the hardest round. It’s hard to go slow.”
“My confidence is pretty high. Now it’s time to reload and get ready for (Friday).”
Johnny Dutch, winner of fourth heat in 50.43
"I felt relaxed and in control. That was the most important thing for me, to qualify for the next round. I definitely have the confidence, this is about my seventh year here. It's more so just me putting pressure on myself."
On competing unattached
"I'm like a blank canvas, waiting for a painter to paint me. I'm blank, I have a support system in my family and even though I don't have a sponsor, I'm blessed to have people who love and support me."
Women's 100m first round
Jenna Prandini, winner of first heat in windy 10.90
“I worked a lot with the trainers and they got me ready and I feel great.”
“I was looking at the heat sheets and I was like, Wow every single person on here is really good. I was excited to come out here and compete against the best people in the United States.”
“I’m really happy about my race. Any time you qualify is good, and I really executed today.
On running in front of the home crowd:
“I love racing here so anytime I get to do it, it’s always special to hear all the fans screaming and yelling. I definitely get that sense of the Hayward magic.
Jasmine Todd, second in second heat in wind-aided 10.87
“That was absolutely outstanding for me because I felt so much better about myself after NCAAs running not too good of a race so I’m really happy to come here and make it to the semis so it’s a great feeling.”
On running well after failing to make the women’s 100 final at the NCAA Championships:
“I was so sad. I was devastated, but I didn’t really have the time to feel that emotion because I had another duty to do which was long jump so I kind of had to let it go to the side. It was a learning experience for me because I didn’t run my race at NCAAs. I had a bad start so I freaked out instead of running my race. It actually really prepared me for this. I knew I needed to come out and run my race and do my best and use my top end speed.”
English Gardner, winner of heat three in wind-aided 10.92
"It's the first round, I'm always the most nervous for that round. I just went out there and did what my coach said. He told me to run a good 60 and kinda shut it down. I used my peripherals to see who was around me. I'm happy I was able to run 10.92 with a reasonable wind. Not too shabby for the first round.
"I'm gonna go back and watch some film, learn how to cope with the nerves and be ready to go tomorrow."
Men’s 100m first round heats
Isiah Young, winner of heat one in wind-aided 9.85
“It felt good. Today was all about execution and I think I came out and did that today. I have two more rounds to go so I’m still putting stuff together to make sure I’m feeling how I’m supposed to.”
Michael Rodgers, winner of heat two in 9.92
"I kind of stumbled at the beginning, but coming out with the victory is pretty nice. Two more rounds tomorrow will tell a lot. The field is great, tomorrow will tell more, today we are all kinda spread out, we'll see a lot more tomorrow."
Tyson Gay, second place in heat three in wind-aided 9.85
"I just wanted to get through as easily as possible. My coach told me Remontay (McClain, the heat winner in 9.82w) would run pretty well. I just wanted to run comfortable and make it to the next round. It felt good to get the nerves out of the way and go from there."
Trayvon Bromell, first in fourth heat in wind-legal 9.84, making him the equal-10th fastest 100-meter man in history
“I’m really surprised by my time because when I slowed it down, I didn’t think I was going to run that fast. This is crazy. I wasn’t planning on running that fast in prelims.”
On running so fast after finishing second at the NCAA Championships earlier this month:
“It’s all about having a championship mindset. You have to understand that you can’t win them all. God has a plan for everybody. Maybe it wasn’t His plan for me to win NCAAs, but maybe it was for me to come out and make the world championship team. It all happens for a reason.”
Men’s 1500m qualifying
Andrew Wheating, winner of first heat in 3:47.91
“At first I was nervous. When I picked it up at 600 meters, I hopped on it and I realized I’m not afraid of anything. I’ve been training to do this all year so I needed a race like that to kind of slap me back into reality and get in the mindset that I’m a professional and that I’m good at what I do and to stop thinking otherwise.”
Matt Centrowitz, winner of second heat in 3:44.39
“Everyone wants to get that qualifying spot, so I expected someone in the last lap to come up on me.”
On predictions for the final:
“I’d be surprised if it was really fast, but it could be an honest pace.”
On his current fitness level:
“I’m 25 years old. I would say I’m in that sweet spot of my career. I had a nice PR in the 800, I’ve now taken those guys wire to wire at a Diamond League race, so I feel confident going into these world championships.”
Women’s 3000m steeplechase
Stephanie Garcia, winner, first heat (9:37.44)
"We're always nervous for the prelims - everyone is. It just feels great to get through it and feel smooth."
Emma Coburn, first place in second heat (9:36.90)
“The heat wasn’t a factor. It was more more the wind working alone on the backstretch that was noticeable. I got really impatient at about 150 meters so I just went ahead, I wanted to be out of traffic. It was a fun race. Now I just need to recover and prep for Saturday.”
Looking ahead to the final:
“I think there are a lot of girls whose fitness shows that in the right race and the right division they can run really close to 9:20, so I don’t think that anyone can really count themselves out.