The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
03.26.2015 | Texas Relays
Manzano breaks own 800m record
2015 Texas Relays Headquarters
Marquette senior Kathryn Koeck - women's hammer winner
On what it means to win Texas Relays: It's pretty exciting. I was pretty happy with my performance. Of course I want to do better the next time, but it was a great start to the season.
On what she's looking forward to in the outdoor season: I'm really hoping to get to nationals. Because I got to regionals two years ago, I want to keep moving my way up and hopefully get to nationals.
Arkansas junior Alex Gochenour — heptathlon winner
On her impressive performance: It's really special. This is my first hep[tahlon] win in a very long time, so to be able to come out here and consecutively put up numbers that are either near my best, or are a very big PR [personal record] [makes it] an exciting day.
On if this win inspires her for the rest of the season: Yes, definitely. The whole goal of this meet was just to come out and have fun. We've been under a real big pressure cooker the last couple weeks, so I wasn't expecting much out of the meets. So, to come out here and not only PR, but to break 6,000 points on the very first meet of the year is really exciting.
Florida senior Kyle Strawn - men's hammer winner
On what he improved from last year: My technique is a lot more solid this year. It's my second year doing four turns in the hammer and I feel a lot more consistent. I was struggling toward the end of my throw but I definitely feel like I'm moving in the right direction.
On the atmosphere of the Texas Relays: I love it. I love Austin, I love the town, I love the meet. It's a great atmosphere with lots of competition. Texas is one of my favorite states, so it's awesome.
On his goals for the outdoor season: I just want to score again at NCAAs. Of course I'd love to win. I just want to improve on my PR. There's a lot of great throwers out there so I just want to compete as good as I can.
Stanford freshman Harrison Williams - decathlon runner-up
On his first Texas Relays: It's a pretty awesome experience. There are so many good athletes. Trey Hardee is here and it's pretty cool to compete next to him. The weather is great, and the wind is amazing.
On his performance: Overall it was pretty solid. It was a good, first collegiate decathlon. It was good enough to get to NCAAs, which I was really hoping for.
Texas A&M junior Hector Hernandez – anchor of winning 4x800m team
On the team's performance: We did pretty well. Coming in, we already knew we had a better chance than anybody else. I've got to give it to Gaines [Kinsey] on the third leg. He did a great job, so for me it wasn't stressful. I went out there and just did my run and make sure I didn't get passed. We wanted the record, which we already have, but we wanted our four guys to have it, but we had a little bit of a slow start with the wind. So at this point, we just wanted to focus on the win and it feels good. We lost the last year two years and got second place, so it feels good to come back and win.
Baylor junior Olicia Williams – anchor of winning 4x800m team
On experience of competing at three Texas Relays: This is a good opener for me. They said my split was 2:04, 2:05. I'm happy it's just a good start.
On what its like to run the 4x800 relay: It's supposed to be for us and a kind of race to work us out. It was a good outcome.
Texas-ex Kendra Chambers – women's 800m Invitational winner
On how it felt getting to come back to compete: It feels great. This track is always fast with a warm welcome, considering I came here and did so much work here. It really is a blessing to come back and be able to show I'm still a part of the Longhorn family.
On how this year compared to previous Texas Relays: This year's special. They added women's 800, and it's one of my events I'm focusing on for my professional career. It's awesome to able to run your own event in a meet that focuses on relays. Also, I'll be running the USA 4x400 so I'm excited about that. This Relays definitely has topped the other years but nothing tops wearing the burnt orange on your own track.
Texas-ex and Olympic medalist Leo Manzano – men's 800m invitational winner
On coming back to the Texas Relays and getting a win: It's just incredible and a special moment. I've had some up and downs but my training is on track for the outdoors. I was glad I could come out here and perform at the Texas Relays on my home turf.
On setting a meet and Myers Stadium record: It was incredible again. This is something I've been looking forward to. I've been training all fall and this spring in Mexico doing altitude training. The fruit of my labor is finally coming to fruition.
UTEP senior Anthony Rotich UTEP – winner men's 1500
On what it means to run in the Texas Relays: I've been competing in the Texas Relays for the past 4 years. Whenever I come here, I try to win a race. Running in the Texas Relays is a really cool place to be
Adidas /Rogue Mary Goldkamp – winner women's 3000m steeplechase university/college
On competing in the Texas Relays: Last time I was here, I was injured and it feels good to come back fit.
On setting the meet record: This is a great event so to have a record here is awesome.
Wayland Baptist sophomore Benard Keter – winner men's 3000m steeplechase university/college
On performance: I was pretty impressed. That's a pretty fast time. This is my first time at the Texas Relays. The guys in my race went pretty fast to start. I like Austin. The crowd was cheering me and I realized that I had it.
Austin Bowie High School junior Marissa Flournoy – winner women's 2000m steeplechase high school
On the experience: It was amazing. It's my first time. It was competitive, but everyone was so nice. It was an amazing performance and I loved it.
On winning: I honestly didn't think that would happen. It feels amazing running on the same track that such amazing runners have run on. I loved it.
New Braunfel High School sophomore Samuel Worley - winner boys 2000m steeplechase high school
On the experience: To come here and have to qualify to race is a real blessing and opportunity. It's a great experience.
On the race: I knew the Texas Relays wouldn't be easy but I truly think I have one of the best coaches in the state. I have one of the best coaches in the state and she had faith in me.
South Dakota junior Amber Eichkorn - winner women's 5000m university/college
On Texas Relays: I've competed last three years and this has been the best year. My best was third last year, so this feels great.
On running the fastest time in the nation: It feels pretty good. I know there are plenty of girls running the 5K this weekend, but this is just a great stepping stone for later in the season.
Texas senior Eduardo Rodriguez – men's 5000m university/college winner
On the race: It was tough towards the end. At first, I wanted to see how it would feel. I thought I was going to run a slow time, but I picked it up pretty quick at the end.
On how it feels to win in his last Texas Relays: It feels great. It felt really close on the last lap, and I couldn't disappoint so I did my best.
On his experience at the Relays: It's been my second year. Last year was pretty tough. This year I wanted to hang around the top runners, and I did, so it feels really great to win here.
