Day 2 Quotes
5/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Track & Field
QUOTE SHEET
Friday, May 27
DECATHLON
Chris Randolph, Seattle Pacific -- National champion (7,309 points)
On winning the decathlon: "It was such a great competition. I knew he (Decosmo Wright) was going to have a great first day and it would probably come down to the last three events."
On his strategy going into the final event: "Talking to my coach going into the 1500 I knew I had to beat him by about a minute. I just had to go out and do it. It was a great bunch of guys to compete with and encourage each other throughout the two days."
WOMEN'S SHOT PUT
April Burton, Cal State-Bakersfield -- National champion (50-5.25)
On winning the national championship: "I'm coming down a little bit. After the event, I just felt burnt out and tired and happy the season is almost over. This is the first time to compete at nationals in the outdoor shotput; it is not really my main event. That would be the hammer throw. This is more of an experimental event for me."
On winning both the indoor and outdoor shot put: "I really don't think about having both the indoor and outdoor titles this year, but I do have the hardware to show for it, but I don't really want to flaunt it. In a few years when I can't do what I can do now, I will probably appreciate it more. For now, I just want to use the abilities God has given me the way I know I am able."
HEPTAHTLON
Anastassia Kyvelido, Nebraska-Omaha -- National champion (5,780 points)
On her expectations entering the meet: "I was expecting the worst and best at the same time. I had a little bit of nervousness because of my injuries, but I got in and did the best I could."
On her second-day performance: "I was really happy with my first throw in the javelin, and my first jump in the long jump was very good. I haven't thrown the javelin in six weeks because of my elbow injury."
MEN'S SHOT PUT
Clint Prange, Northwest Missouri State – National champion (66-1.00)
On his national championship: "I can't even begin to fathom this. I have always been good at the discus. I want to thank God for the ability He has given me. People always dream of hitting the last shot or making the last goal, well this was my time to step up and make the last throw. If you'd have told me I'd throw that far earlier in the year, I would have laughed at you."
Winning the shot put: "Winning the shot put was my goal coming into the event, but I knew there would be great competition. The top four or five guys could have won the event any other year. This was a dogfight, probably one of the best year's ever. It feels good to be able to say I finished on top of both the shot and the discus. I just knew when I let it go, it was going to be a good throw. And both mine and Chris's (Figures) would have been a great throw at any level."
Chris Figures, Cal-State Bakeresfield -- National runner-up (65-11.00)
On the shot put competition: "I fell great about the competition. I am not disappointed at all becuase I gave everything I had. Everyone gave it there all today and it was a great event."
On going back and forth in the event: "After I broke Clint's (Prange) record, I had no worries because I knew I could compete. I just went and attacked it as much as I could. I think everyone did well. We were all gunning for each other. There was not just one dominant person; we were all feeding off each other's marks. I was pushing for my teammate Van (Mounts, and he was pushing for me. I told myself I had to show up today. There were three of the best shot putters here tonight. Hopefully we will see each other in the future. This is not the last showdown."
WOMEN'S 3000 METERS
Alisha Williams, Western State -- National Champion (9:28.00)
On her fifth national championship: "It's great. It's my fifth championship, but it gets more exciting every time."
On her approach going into the race: "My goal was to not let a gap happen, to not get a lapse in concentration and counter every move in the race, which is easier said than done."
MEN'S POLE VAULT
Matt Campbell, Missouri Southern -- National Champion (17-2.75)
On winning the championship: "It's exciting. A lot of work went into this all year. I was bummed about the weather, with the crosswind, it caused a lot of guys to no height. It's not typical good vaulting weather, but still, I had a good day."
On setting a personal and school record: "I knew I could do it, but there was a lot of tough competition here. (The weather) made it tough to get the steps down, I just happened to be on and being able to visualize and put it all together."
WOMEN'S HIGH JUMP
Lavern Spencer, Albany State -- National Champion (6-1.25)
On winning the national championship: "I'm a little disappointed because I was expecting to clear 6-4. But I am satisfied with my performance. I know I could have done better, but I'm happy with the win."
MEN'S TRIPLE JUMP
Brandon Roulhac, Albany State -- National Champion (52-1.75)
On his goal entering the meet: "I wanted to jump 54 feet so that I could qualify for the U.S. Outdoor championships. I didn't reach my goal, but winning a national championship is great."
