US Athlete Quotes from adidas Track Classic

2009 adidas Track Classic

ATHLETE QUOTES
(overall winners)

Ian Waltz, men’s discus winner
 
I’m
just happy to be healthy. Last year at the (Olympic) Trials I tore my
adductor muscle in my stomach. I’m finally throwing pain free.
 
I feel like I’m a month or two behind where I need to be but that’s okay because World’s are in August.
 
No matter which meet it is, it’s about winning no matter what the distance.
 
Hazel Clark, women’s 800m winner
 
I wasn’t really happy with the beginning. I kept my composure and held on at the end. I think my coach will be happy.
 
Every week I want to get faster and stronger and get ready for nationals.
 
It wasn’t really a smart race or a clean race.
 
I stopped setting goals for Worlds and the Olympics. I found it was just so much pressure. 
 
Kerron Clement – men’s 400m hurdles winner
 
I’m
really happy to come out and compete against the top guys like Angelo
(Taylor) and James Carter. I just stayed focused on myself and came up
with the win.
 
 I knew something was wrong after the 7th hurdle.
I just took it regardless. I was a 110 hurdler so I know how to adjust.
I just didn’t let it affect me at all.
 
Natasha Hastings – women’s 400m winner
 
I’m used to running out hard. I got out pretty good.
 
Once I came off the final turn. I gave it all I had.
 
It makes me feel good that I can run well with one shoe and then run well with both shoes on this week.
 
Dawn Harper – women’s 100m hurdle winner
 
We
restarted it seemed like 3 times, so I had to get refocused. My start
was okay. I thought I was flat a couple in the middle.  I knew I had to
leave it all on the line at the end with Perdita (Felicien) and that’s
what I did.
 
The time may not show it, but I’m ready for strong competition.
 
Terrence Trammell – men’s 110m hurdles winner
 
I’m happy with the win. I feel good. I’m looking to do some big things. Things are working out really well.
 
Carmelita Jeter – women’s 100m winner
 
The
race was a little scary with so many false starts and someone getting
kicked out of the race. My coach and I have been working on coming back
and keeping my composure. I’m usually the one that lays back in the
blocks. This time I didn’t do that.
 
Dwight Phillips – men’s long jump winner
 
I’m
satisfied with the win today. I wanted to do a lot better. I already
have the world leading jump but it was a little windy out here. I am
coming out to redeem myself and win the World Championships.
 
Darvis Patton – men’s 100m winner
 
I
was happy to come out and win against this great competition. Beating
the Olympic silver medalist is always good, but the whole field was
strong. Coming out with a victory is always good. It’s a good indicator
and a confidence booster.
 
Bernard Lagat – men’s 1,500m winner
 
I am really pleased with winning.
 
I
was feeling good all the way. Even at the bell I wanted to go. So I had
to wait, wait, wait. So I went at about 150 and it worked out.
 
LaShawn Merritt – men’s 200m winner
 
Before
the race my calf was cramping a little bit. I didn’t get out as hard
because of it. It was a little sluggish. I was just going to build into
it. I came off the curve and had the strength to hold.
 
I’ve been doing some speed work during the winter. I just wanted to test it out. It felt good.
 
Allyson Felix – women’s 200m winner
 
I’m
just pleased to get out there and have a good performance. I had hoped
it would be a little faster than it was. I always try to run home
strong.
 
It’s really special to run here. This is the only time many of my family members will get to see me run.
 
Jenn Stuczinski – women’s pole vault winner
 
I’m
a little disappointed. I should have had 4.93m with the pole I was on.
It’s early.  I love coming to LA and competing at the adidas meet. I’m
looking for a little more consistency. I feel stronger. I’m definitely
a lot stronger. 
 
Jeremy Wariner – men’s 400m winner
 
I
executed better than I should have. Right now I’m just focusing on
every part of the race. I recently got back with my old coach (Clyde
Hart). Coach Ford is a wonderful coach. Experience made the difference.
I went back with Coach Hart.
 
Anna Willard – women’s steeplechase world
 
It
was good today. I was kind of going for a PR. I’m a little
disappointed. I respond to competition a lot more than running out
there by myself. I need someone breathing down my neck.
 
I did well today, it’s a good opener.

About USA Track & Field
 
USA
Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and
field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States.
USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, some of the
most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and
junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult
runners in the United States.
 
For more information on USATF, visit
www.usatf.org

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