The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
2023 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship Quotes
06.06.2023 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Quotes will be updated throughout each day. Refresh the page to view the latest quotes.
| Saturday, June 10, 2023 |
RHASIDAT ADELEKE, Texas, Jr. (Women's 4x100m Relay Champion, 41.60)
[On why this relay team is special…]
We know each other really well. We're friends on and off the track. We have a really good bond, we have really good team chemistry, so it's more than just running for our school, we're running for each other, we're running for each other's families. We're just really close, and it makes it that much more special.
EZINNE ABBA, Texas, Graduate (Women's 4x100m Relay Champion, 41.60)
[On why they're able to create magic…]
It's definitely just keeping in mind that we just want to have fun at the end of the day. We're just here to have fun, get the stick around, celebrate, do more and just do something special.
KEVONA DAVIS, Texas, Jr. (Women's 4x100m Relay Champion, 41.60)
[On the responsibility of being the anchor…]
Honestly, it's not really that big of a burden, but I trust my teammates, and when they bring the stick around, I know that I have to get across the line.
JULIEN ALFRED, Texas, Graduate (Women's 4x100m Relay Champion, 41.60)
[On with it being her birthday, if winning was on her birthday list…]
Definitely, but if we do anything, it's to win a team title. That would be a good birthday gift to me.
[On how she's feeling with the 100m and 200m coming up…]
I feel great. We started out great, all we have to do is just keep it going, and we'll see where it leads us.
OLIVIA MARKEZICH, Notre Dame, Jr. (Women's 3,000m Steeplechase Champion, Facility Record 9:25.03)
[On her strategy…]
I went into the race not wanting to lead it, but stick on the leader and try not to lose contact. I had a bad habit of letting the leader get ahead of me and then have to catch up. I just wanted to stay up with (the race leader) and close as hard as I can.
[On her sub-9:30 time…]
I went into the season knowing I could go sub-9:30, I just didn't know if I could get it here because of the hot conditions.
[On her father also being track national champion at Notre Dame]
This is something I have been dreaming of, and my dad is my biggest role model, so I'm super happy.
MAIA RAMSDEN, Harvard, So. (Women's 1500m Champion, 4:08.60)
[On how it feels to be National Champion…]
I can't really believe it right now, I'm just kind of processing.
[On the strategy to win the race…]
Coach was kind of like, 'Don't worry about the splits. I know it sounds cliche, but run your own race and don't necessarily go with the front pack if you think it's not sustainable, and then just be patient and maybe some girls will come back to you.' I think I've been really working on staying really patient and efficient. I think at Indoors, I was pretty bouncy in the race and wasted a lot of legs and energy. So, working on staying a little smoother, tucking in and then just being ready so that I can really get the most out of my kick – and that's what I did today.
[On getting stronger across the three seasons to this result…]
You don't really take that much time off between Cross and Indoors, so you feel fit and fast the whole time. I think the big thing for me this year that was different from last year was having to kind of regroup after Indoors, and it was such an emotional high and all happened so quickly. So, taking the time to step back and figure out how to start again, Outdoors was tricky, and I feel like it's only been the last month of the season where I've got my mojo back. But now that I'm here, I'm very happy and I'm really excited for next year.
ACKERA NUGENT, Arkansas, JR. (Women's 100m Hurdles Champion, Season Best 12.25)
[On winning the indoor and outdoor championship…]
It feels amazing to know that I've just got to trust my coach, and I follow instruction very, very well. To be able to follow those instructions and see the time, I feel very pleased.
[On the race…]
Through that race, after running the 4x100, I had to regain my focus. With the hurdles, there are 10 obstacles. I had been working for this, it's our time to shine. I'm patient, and I just need to stay in my lane, stay focused. Don't listen to the crowd around me and just keep going.
[On maintaining her health…]
That's the most important thing as an athlete, because there's aches and pains, and to be smart about your entire season. The main thing that really matters is a championship. You've got to make sure you stay healthy between every meet and work on the important things you need to work on to get to that championship.
RHASIDAT ADELEKE, Texas, Jr. (Women's 400m Champion, Meet Record 49.20)
[On the team's success…]
Coming over (to the track), we were just so excited. Really good vibes (on the team), we all really enjoy each other. I feel like we bounce the momentum. When my teammate won, it made me more excited for my own race.
[On winning the 400m…]
It was kind of a blur. I just went out trusting myself. Not really sure what I went through the 200 (mark) or anything, I just put myself into position coming into the home stretch, and it was the kick at the end, which is something I've been doing well all season.
JORINDE VAN KINKEN, Oregon, Sr. (Women's Discus Champion, Meet Record 65.55m)
[On her win…]
Obviously, it's great to win another title, you know that's always something to be super proud of. It's really just the icing on the cake of all these years of hard work, and it's amazing to me to end my collegiate career this way.
[On how she keeps her momentum competing in multiple events…]
Yeah, that's always tough, especially in the shot, you've got to physically be in great shape. And then at the same time, your technique needs to be lined up – it's crazy. In the discus, it's more a matter of staying relaxed and more dynamic.
[On setting a meet record…]
It was kind of crazy because I set it two years ago, my first year in college athletics. So, it would have been possible obviously throughout last year, but then it was raining a lot. So, then I didn't really have the chance. My main goal today was to deliver some good technique and hopefully throw the distance, and I think three throws over 65 is a very good accomplishment.
JASMINE MOORE, Florida, Jr. (Women's Triple Jump Champion, Collegiate Record 14.78m)
[On her overall thoughts on the day…]
Yeah, I was definitely very nervous today, especially coming after long jump and getting third. That was really tough for me, so just honestly being in the right mindset coming in today was the big thing. I just needed to have confidence the whole entire competition, so I was just trying my best to stay calm.
[On a record setting performance…]
I've been wanting to get it for a long time. Keturah Orji was someone I looked up to so much. So, to finally knock that down and finally get the school record in the triple jump, that's been tough. And so, just lots of prayer and lots of confidence get to today.
[On getting a confidence boost…]
It's definitely a mental boost just knowing that you can jump far, that you're fast and everything like that. Of course, everyone loves to win. I needed to just kind of forget about long jump. I didn't want to be so stuck on that one event that I ruined this event.
SAVANNAH SUTHERLAND, Michigan, So. (Women's 400m Hurdles Champion, Personal Best 54.45)
[On her win…]
That was just amazing. Going in, I knew I had some really great athletes behind me, so I just had to get out and leave it all on the track. This is my last race of the season, I had to go for it.
[On not being the favorite…]
I think it honestly helped calm me down a little bit. The focus was on them, and I really had nothing to lose. It really helped me get after it and give it all that I got.
JULIEN ALFRED, Texas, Graduate (Women's 100m, 200m Champion, Season Bests 10.72 in 100m, 21.73 in 200m)
[On her growth…]
My coach (Edrick Floréal) has been my biggest influence in my life, my five years here at Texas. Prior to beginning the championships, I went to speak to him, and he said let's not focus on myself, focus on the team. That changed the pressure. It made a huge difference.
[On her wins in her last season…]
Changing my mindset coming into the season, I knew that this was my last year. I wanted to go out with a bang. On my hard days, I made sure I was dedicated to it, putting my dedication into those hard workouts.
MICHAELA ROSE, LSU, So. (Women's 800m Champion, Facility Record 1:59.83)
[On the win…]
It's just been a journey all the way from freshman year to this year. In my freshman year, I didn't make it at all in the 800, and I knew I was capable. Putting in the work and trusting what coach had for me and trusting God and everything – just to come here and win it the next year. It's just amazing, so amazing.
[On what she would tell people going through a tough journey…]
I would say stay patient. Your coaches do know what they're doing. Communicate and just give your best because that's enough. If you're here running track and field and you've got a passion for it, just grind deep and find it within yourself to perform well.
[On the difference from not making it last year to winning this championship…]
Honestly, my spiritual growth. It's been a journey. I've learned so much. I've gotten so much closer to God and just stepping to the line with a deeper purpose, trusting that what He's putting in me is enough. And also, during cross country, coaches put me in longer races. I did the 6k, that dreaded thing. So, I feel like having more stamina for the end of my races has been a huge difference, because if you watch a lot of my races last year, I just didn't have it.
[On finishing strong to the line…]
I had told myself to not look back because I wanted to give everything. Any millisecond looking back could have cost me. I saw on the board where they were, and I still had something in me, I was just going to go to my form and push through the line.
PIPPI LOTTA ENOK, Oklahoma, Fr. (Women's Heptathlon Champion)
[On the joy of winning a national championship…]
I think it will take a few days to understand, because right now I can like believe it. A year ago, this wasn't possible, but as a freshman, I think it's a huge thing for our program.
[On what it means to be an Estonian on this level now…]
Now we have only like eight women who have gotten over 6000 in the heptathlon. So, it's a huge thing after a while for somebody to get over 6k. You know, we have to just keep up with the heptathletes.
CHARITY GRIFFITH, Ball State, Jr. (Women's High Jump Champion, Personal Best 1.93m)
[On Ball State's growing success…]
A lot is going on. Everybody's popping off, doing exactly what they're supposed to, not changing what we've been doing in practice and just continuing to do what we do.
[On her confidence to win the event…]
I've always had the drive to win an NCAA championship since my high school years, even though I was always such a mediocre athlete in high school. I've always told myself I was going to do it. So, finally happy that I can put it into action today.
[On the approach of jumping against the bar and not against the other jumpers…]
I'm just out here having fun. I just want to do what I can do and not do it for myself. Nothing that I do is going to be for myself, it's going to be for God. So, I'm just going to go out there and have fun and encourage others around me to do the best they can, as well.
PARKER VALBY, Florida, So. (Women's 5000m Champion, Facility Record 15:30.57)
[On her approach today and how it feels…]
Coach Palmer told me to trust my instincts, trust my gut, and I did. It worked out. I'm so excited. I've gotten second place one too many times, so this is awesome.
[On the final lap…]
I took a glance every lap, and they were with me for most of it. That's my strategy – just go for it, hold on and push and give it all I got.
[On the ups and downs of the season…]
I trusted Coach Holloway and kept the faith through the whole thing. There's been a lot of ups and downs, but it all worked out.
ROSEY EFFIONG (Anchor Leg), Arkansas, So. (Women's 4x400m Relay Champion, Season Best 3:24.05)
[On the emotions of winning the national championship…]
Very emotional, it's coach Harter's last run, and a lot of our seniors and other teammates' last year, as well. So, I was just happy to be out there and do something that can give them a memory of a team who had spirit and knew how to win.
[On if she could hear the crowd on her last lap…]
I hear it, but I'm just thinking, 'Let me finish, let me finish!' I love hearing the crowd and hearing all of the people who love track and field.
[On what to expect from her in the future…]
Expect me at Worlds and expect to see me next year at the University of Arkansas.
EDRICK FLORÉAL, Texas (Women's Team Champion)
[On winning the National Championship…]
When you see something in them, and they don't really see it, and then watching them actually physically execute the plan, it is so rewarding. Watching them realize their own potential is like the coolest thing.
[On the teammates competing for each other…]
They all agreed it isn't about anybody's record or time, it was about supporting their team and fighting like hell, and that is what you saw today. It was really about Texas.
[On how competing for each other helps everyone perform…]
Fear and anxiety goes away, because you're not doing it for you. You're not worrying about your time. You're just trying to help your team, and when you free yourself, you can perform at the highest level.
| Friday, June 9, 2023 |
NATHAN GREEN, Washington, So. (Men's 1500m Champion, 3:42.78)
[On what was going through his mind in the last 200m…]
All that was going through my mind is that we had the opportunity to go 1-2-3, and I wasn't going to be the one to not let that happen. I didn't know anything was going on once Adam Spencer kind of broke the pack, and I was just following Joe [Waskom]. I mean, that's all you really can do. Team leader, you've just got to follow.
[On what Washington does to win three different NCAA 1500m championships…]
The team culture. I mean, there are no rivalries. There's no, 'I'm trying to be better than Joe.' It's not, 'Just trying to be better than me, or better than Luke.' We're just trying to be better together. And then our goal was to go, obviously 1-2-3, but in what order, we had no plan. It was just whoever was there.
[On the friendship between the Washington runners…]
Yeah, we've known each other for years like in high school. We became really good friends, and we probably talked every single day.
KENNETH ROOKS, BYU, Jr. (Men's 3,000m Steeplechase Champion, 3:42.78)
[On his win…]
That last lap, I felt good. I really like to lead going fast, because I get a clear look at the barriers, and it helps me gets some clean hurdles. It gives me a lot of confidence when the person behind me is starting to drop a little bit. I really like being in the lead when I'm going fast.
[On feeling some pressure the last lap and pulling away…]
I could see his shadow, and I was also peaking over my shoulder at the water jump, but I didn't look back at all after the water jump.
DA'MARCUS FLEMING, LSU, Jr. (Men's 4x100m Relay Champion, 38.05)
[On tonight's race…]
It wasn't our best race. It was fast, but it wasn't our best. We will take the win, and we will come back faster and stronger. It's fun and it's competition. We're just having fun, and we love it.
PHILLIP LEMONIOUS, Arkansas, Jr. (Men's 110m Hurdles Champion, 13.24)
[On the win and his time…]
To be honest, I didn't predict any specific time. I didn't think it was going to be fast or slow, I just wanted to go out there with confidence and just have fun.
[On maintaining his focus during the race…]
It was very hard on me. We've been practicing that, like, the whole season. Coach knew that my weakness had been the last three hurdles, as you guys could see. I just tried to recover pretty hard, and it worked out.
[On running into the high jump zone after winning…]
It was just happiness. I don't know how to celebrate, but that was just pure. And I just thank God for this because I've been praying very hard, you know for this thing.
JAYDON HIBBERT, Arkansas, Fr. (Men's Triple Jump Champion, 17.56m)
[On his performance tonight…]
I'm really thankful. I came out injury free, and I went with the crowd. I haven't performed in front of a crowd like this one here at the national championships. I'm really happy.
ROMAINE BECKFORD, South Florida, Jr. (Men's High Jump Champion, Personal Best 2.27m)
[On what made the difference and competing against Vernon Turner of Oklahoma…]
Yeah, I only had one miss, and I try to always keep everything clean and get it on the first attempt. Versus him, I made a mistake earlier, and I was just trying to make sure I made up on it.
[On feeding off of the crowd…]
Since high school we always got a crowd, so I feed off the crowd. I had a small team of about four or five, and I just looked for them in the crowd, and I just started going.
[On winning the title and being the defending champion…]
It means a lot to Indoor and Outdoor, and I'm just looking forward to bigger things. It just sets up my future for later on.
[On what to expect from him going forward…]
I'm hoping to make the World Championship team, so I'm just trying to stay healthy and train hard when we try to get collegians that World Championship.
COURTNEY LINDSEY, Texas Tech, Sr. (Men's 100m Champion, Collegiate Leader 9.89)
[On his performance tonight…]
It was a fast race. I wanted to get off to a good start, but I didn't. Once I got out, I just stayed tall and let my speed carry me.
[On his mindset after the DQ in the 4x100 relay…]
My mindset was we needed to get points. We were very disappointed (about the DQ), but I had to keep my head focused and go out there and try to score for my team. I tried to win the thing, and that's what I did.
TURNER WASHINGTON, Arizona State, Sr. (Men's Discus Champion, School Record 66.22m)
[On the emotion of his sixth throw…]
It was a lot better than most of the sixth-round throws from a couple of days ago. It was just one of those things where it's the first time I've experienced people talking smack. I knew what I could do the whole season, and I feel like I'm better than a 60. That was my last NCAA throw. It was like, let's put something together and let's create a moment.
[On being a National Champion and what he will do later…]
Well, I'm going to give my girlfriend a big kiss, and I'm going to see what Austin, Texas, has to offer.
UDODI ONWUZURIKE, Stanford, So. (Men's 200m Champion, 19.84)
[On the win…]
I'm just so thankful. It's been a long year of working hard by me, my teammates, my coaches, my friends and my trainers. It really took a village to get here.
[On winning for Stanford…]
I speak for myself. I can be fast anywhere, whether it be in junior college, in the SEC, in the Pac 12 or in the Big Ten. It means more to do it for Stanford. We run for Stanford, and we want people to take us seriously. To be able to come out here and win means everything.
WILL SUMNER, Georgia, Fr. (Men's 800m Champion, Facility Record 1:44.26)
[On breaking his PR by two seconds…]
It was just a matter of trusting my training, trusting my coach. All the work we've been putting in throughout the fall, the winter and the spring, it just all comes together at the end of the season and for moments like this, and it's really just an honor.
[On if he was surprised at a modest time on the first lap…]
I wasn't surprised. I didn't really expect anyone to take it, so that's why I wanted to go position myself in the front. I could have done a little more to make it a little more honest, but I just wanted to be as relaxed as I could be, and 53 ended up being the number, I guess.
[On being confident in making his move with 200m to go…]
A lot of the work I've been doing has been pushing through and learning how to extend the 800 pace for more than just 200m or so, and really working on my finish. That's really all it's been, and I feel like I put it together well today.
[On processing all his accomplishments at age 19…]
It's honestly just amazing. I came out here knowing that if I did everything right that's what would happen, but to be able to actually do it is another thing.
KY ROBINSON, Stanford, Jr. (Men's 5000m Champion, 14:04.77)
[On winning the 5000m and 10,000m…]
I mean, I feel like I'm about to wake up from a dream. This is something that I wanted to do in my four or however many years that I'm here at Stanford. You know, third year, third time here. I have no words.
[On if this feels like the best he's ever run…]
I think over this past week, yes. I mean, I've obviously had some great performances in the past, but I'm putting it all together right now. Indoor obviously didn't go my way in the least. So being able to come back, heal, you know, prove myself that I can do it, it was something I'll remember forever.
[On why he was able to put it together this week…]
I feel like the heat played a little bit of a factor. You know, I came from a hot climate. So, I was able to adapt to these conditions pretty well. And I mean, I just had to put faith in my training and my coach, he's gotten me this far. And now it's just my turn to do what I can do, do the best I can do, and thankfully I came out here did that.
CHRIS ROBINSON, Alabama, Jr. (Men's 400m Hurdles Champion, Collegiate Leader, Facility Record and Personal Best 48.12)
[On his win…]
I mean, getting out in the race, I felt pretty good. I got out of rhythm on hurdle three, I stood up a little bit, but I was able to get back into my rhythm. When I got to 200m, I said, 'Ok, I'm feeling good. Time to kick it in and bring it home.'
[On if he almost hurt himself celebrating…]
At the beginning of the year, I was trying to work on my celebration, and I was inspired by someone on Instagram. It was a nice celebration to do, and I know I had the crowd riled there for a second, but I'm good now.
EMMANUEL BAMIDELE, Florida, So. (Men's 400m Champion, Collegiate Leader 44.24)
[On his mentality all season…]
We've been training all year for this. We've been focused and I know I've been working, so it's just a mentality of 'do your best.' I trust my teammates.
[On his win…]
I'm just grateful for every moment. No matter the outcome, I'm really grateful for where I am and where I came from.
MIKE HOLLOWAY, Florida, Head Coach (Men's NCAA Team Champion)
[His thoughts on the team's performance and winning the title…]
I'm extremely proud of everybody. Everybody contributed. It was an amazing week. We trust each other, and we put a lot of faith in each other. At the end of the day, this is for the guys, and I'm blessed to be their coach.
| Thursday, June 8, 2023 |
STEPHANIE RATCLIFFE, Harvard, So. (Women's Hammer Champion, Collegiate Leader 73.63m)
[On winning all eight of her meets this year…]
I think it's really exciting, especially since I haven't had that much experience with hammer throwing back home in Australia. There are only like a few high-level meets, so it's really exciting to get to have more opportunities to compete against higher quality athletes. I guess when the standard rises, I rise to the occasion, and that's the most exciting part. So, I was very excited for this week just have other athletes watch me and just see what I can do.
[On how her first throw felt…]
It felt really good. Honestly, my goal is just to get a decent throw that'll make it to the finals. That's usually my strategy. So, it's exciting to be able to get it really far on that first throw, and I did a pretty good job of not getting too excited. I just tried to stay calm and try to push up.
[On setting personal bests in each of her last two meets…]
I mean, the excitement from my season has carried over. My goal for this season was just to pass 70 (meters), and I've done that a few times now. So, that's really exciting. Today, I wanted throw better, honestly, so I'm not totally satisfied, but I am very happy.
RHASIDAT ADELEKE, Texas, Jr. (Women's 4x100m Semifinals, Collegiate Record 41.55)
[On the importance of coming out strong in the prelims…]
It's amazing, and it's cool to get that momentum going to kind of give us energy for the rest of the championships.
[On how they decide the order they run in…]
You know, as we say, Flo (Texas Coach Edrick Floréal) knows. So, whatever he says we trust him. You know, he's been in the game for so long, and we have somebody who is well respected in the game. So, anything that he says goes. He kind of put us up together as a team, and it's worked out. It's all about chemistry, and we have that as a team.
[On if she knew how fast they were running when she got the baton…]
I knew we had the lead, especially since Julien Alfred was starting us off.
[On if they saved something for the finals…]
We'll see. I always feel like we can go so much faster, so, we'll see.
LEO NEUGEBAUER, Texas, Jr. (Men's Decathlon Champion, Collegiate Record, German Record, 8,836)
[On how it feels to win the National Championship and set a collegiate record…]
It feels amazing. The fact that I was able to come out on top and with a record, especially here in Austin, I'm more than happy.
[On also setting the German record…]
Yes, yes, my coach told me that. That makes me the greatest of all time in the whole country – I can't even realize it yet.
[On his celebration after the pole vault…]
The pole vault was the most emotional moment of my life. I never cry, and I cried whenever I cleared the 5.20 bar. I ran away because I couldn't even control my body, it just wanted to take off. There definitely was a tear involved, but this just shows how much that means.
JULIA FIXSEN, Virginia Tech, So. (Women's Pole Vault Champion)
[On her win tonight…]
It feels really good. I've worked really hard for a long time. Even when I was a gymnast, I've always wanted to be a champion and a world champion. This feels like a really good step one for me, and who knows what's in the future!
[On how she handled everything mentally tonight…]
Probably the best I have all season. I felt like I've done this before and I know what to do. I've had really good practices and I have been jumping well over the bars, so I felt really comfortable, I also had other teammates with me which made it even easier. It just felt like I was at home.
[On the support she received from the crowd…]
I had 15 family members here, so it was kind of a little bit of pressure for me to do well. They all came out to watch me and it was 10:30 at night. I honestly didn't think about it, but I really appreciated them cheering me on every time. Being able to greet them when it was all over and take lots of pictures was really great.
RHEMA OTABOR, Nebraska, Jr. (Women's Javelin Champion, Collegiate Leader, 59.49m)
[On setting a personal best to win…]
One of the big things I wanted to keep in mind coming into the competition is not to overthink, just let my body do what it knows how to do and just go there and have a breakthrough, and I feel like that's what I did.
[On her improvement since being a freshman…]
It does take a lot of dedication and a lot of consistency in terms of making sure I'm disciplined enough to work on my technique and work on getting stronger. I feel like just as you mature in whatever sport that you take up, you eventually get better.
[On her coaches' impact…]
I mean, I feel like it contributed a whole lot. Coach Justin was able to look at my technique from last year and help run me through things that he felt were some major fixes to my run up that would help me. I feel like we've definitely touched on this stuff, and I feel like I've done progressively better.
EVERLYN KEMBOI, Utah Valley, Jr. (Women's 10,000 Meters Champion, Facility Record, 32:39.08)
[On racing with defending champion Mercy Chelangat…]
I've been we've been racing her the whole season. So, I've been watching videos, doing my studies, working on my training, and waiting to see what I would do in nationals. And I knew I would do good.
[On if she plans to go home and train in Kenya…]
Yeah, I want to go professional, so I'm going to go home to train. We have lots of good runners in Kenya, and my goal is to go to the Olympics.
[On if she's coming back for her senior year…]
No, I'm done. I want to go home.
AXELINA JOHANSSON, Nebraska, So. (Women's Shot Put Champion, Facility Record, 19.28m)
[On her winning throw progression and the big one on the final throw…]
I think it's the best series of my life. I was very, very consistent. Almost everything was 19 meters. I think I had a great throw in me. I didn't really get it today, but it will come, I have a long summer.
[On competing in the Sweden versus Finland match…]
No, I don't think so, because school starts in the middle of August, and I don't want to miss school.
[On the feeling of getting the win at the Outdoor National Championships…]
I've been working for this really hard. At Indoors, I finished second, so today was very special. It felt awesome. I had a great series, very consistent.
ACKELIA SMITH, Texas, So. (Women's Long Jump Champion)
[On what was going through her mind with the final jump to win it…]
I was like, 'This is my track, I'm not going to lose on it. My team needs the points, and I'm definitely not losing.'
[On finally seeing the fruits all her hard work pay off...]
I'm so happy, and I am really proud. I've gone through a lot this season, and I've overcome a lot, and coming out as a champion, it means a lot.
[On what it means to be a champion on her home track…]
My coach is so proud. I know that for sure. He had the biggest smile on his face. I've trained here – blood, sweat, everything goes on here. So, it's an honor to actually be on this track, be here with the home fans, and just showing them what it's like to win and just giving them that relief that we can win a championship here.
| Wednesday, June 7, 2023 |
KENNETH IKEJI, Harvard, So. (Men's Hammer Champion, Facility Record 77.92m)
[On winning the title on the very last throw…]
I visualized it so many times exactly how this happened. So, when I got to the last round, I was like now's the time. And you know, it came together. I still don't even have the words yet. Now's a good time to do it, so I'm just happy.
[On producing the best championship mark since 1996 and fourth-best title throw in meet history…]
It feels amazing. I never like to limit myself. So, when I saw it, my mind was blown. But at the same time, I believe I can do this, I believe I can do more and I keep having to believe that I can go further. I'm very, very happy, but hopefully my name will go higher on those rankings at some point.
[On where to move forward from winning the title as a sophomore…]
Just keep focused on my training. Everything is just training, training. I'm going to work hard and now I'm more motivated than ever. I'm going to keep pushing and building. You know next year is the Olympics, and I'm hoping to defend this title and get there. My head is down now and I just want to work. The goal is just to work hard.
TZURIEL PEDIGO, LSU, Jr. (Men's Javelin Champion, Personal Best 79.79m)
[On the atmosphere tonight compared to 2021 in the pandemic…]
It was an empty stadium (in 2021), and so you were running on fumes. The energy here is electric. Texas is one of the best places to have it. It's a world class stadium. You get a bunch of world class athletes together and put them in a world class stadium, and magic happens. It's just beautiful to be a part of this whole thing. It's surreal. It's amazing.
[On winning his second NCAA championship for LSU…]
It's about putting LSU on the map. This is what your job is as a collegiate guy, especially being that it's my own community. LSU is such a big part of Baton Rouge that it supplies so many resources to that area. It's great to do something that's a positive thing for LSU. We're trying to win a championship. We also have Shawn Burrell, who is a Louisiana native from right outside of Baton Rouge. I think it's really awesome to make my city proud.
[On getting closer to the 80-meter mark…]
Eighty meters is an absolute number. It's a set number, but it seems like it's getting further away the closer that I get. Seeing that number tonight (79.79m) just makes me feel comfortable that I'm doing the right thing. At the end of the day, I just have to keep working on what I've been working on.
LEO NEUGEBAUER, Texas, Jr. (Day 1 Decathlon Leader)
[On the emotion shown after the 400…]
Yes, definitely being here running almost 46 just means so much to me, especially because I've been putting a lot of hard work into running. Then it finally pays off. It's just so relieving, especially because you die every single day. You don't get the results. It's really hard to keep going. Then finally seeing what I get from all this practice is so emotionally exhilarating.
[On getting the results at home at Myers Stadium…]
That I get all these results here in Texas and Austin with such an amazing stadium, just the feeling, the energy here is so high. Especially for me as a Texas athlete, it just means so much to me and it's just amazing to compete here.
[On his mindset heading into tomorrow…]
This feels almost like a practice to me just because it's in my stadium and it's so familiar. I think that's why I have a little advantage. I'm just taking all of that with me, and I'm trying to get more PRs tomorrow. So tonight, I'll take an ice bath and might do some TikToks. Who knows? Yeah, and then tomorrow morning, get back out on the track.
JORDAN GEIST, Arizona, Sr. (Men's Shot Put Champion)
[On winning a national championship…]
It feels great. Pretty slow start in the competition, but I was able to build throughout, and on the last one, finally get one that was decent enough to take the lead.
[On preparing for the heat…]
Yes, we did a lot of preparation for that. We did many double sessions in the day. We can't prepare for the humidity, but we have plenty heat in Tucson.
[On executing throws…]
You know what you're working on every day. So it's just about doing that during the meet with the adrenaline flowing and just trying to execute when it matters.
KYLE RADEMEYER, South Alabama, Jr. (Men's Pole Vault Champion)
[On the improvement tonight over his first two NCAA appearances…]
Each of my first two years I struggled with injuries, so it's really good to see the hard work from my rehab and then training pay off. I'm really proud of myself and very thankful to God for protecting me this season so far and allowing me the ability to reach good heights.
[On becoming just the second NCAA champion in track in South Alabama program history…]
Really? I didn't know that fact. That's great news to me.
[On the facility here at Texas…]
I've never jumped very well here at this track. I can't say this is my favorite track, but I know it is a good track for other people.
KY ROBINSON, Stanford, Jr. (Men's 10,000 Meters Champion)
[On finishing 1-2 with teammate Charles Hicks…]
Spectacular. We look back at cross country, and Charles went number one. We work together, we train together, we live just down the hall from each other, and so we're best friends both on the track and off the track. To have someone your age and your best friend up there with you, and to finish 1 and 2, it's fantastic. Couldn't ask for anything more.
[On the feeling of winning…]
It feels pretty good. I mean, obviously you've got to hope that happens, but realistically, I didn't necessarily expect it to happen. I didn't think the 10k was my event. I thought the 5k or the short stuff, I did a few 15s this year and they felt good. I had those wheels as I came down the stretch.
[On the game plan and if the race executed the way he wanted…]
The pace structure was up a little bit more, but that was sort of expected. I wanted to stay out of trouble and not go anywhere near the lead and just sit around out of trouble. I just wanted to sit around the three and eight spots, and let those guys do the work.
CAREY MCLEOD, Arkansas, Sr. (Men's Long Jump Champion, Tied Facility Record 8.26m)
[On doing well early…]
I just told my coach I'm not going to give him any more gray hairs. I had a plan just come out here off the first jump and get it over with. I think I did a good job of that, as you can see the way everybody was thrown off. That's one of the things I said I'm not going to do, wait until late. So, I just did it on the first one.
[On being in a great space and atmosphere with the team…]
It's been good, because you know once you're in an environment where you're not worrying about competing, but you're in a safe place where you can be yourself, you can just be more relaxed. If you're trying to jump right, you can't jump far being intense all the time. So, it's just like a calm environment.
[On representing Arkansas at the National Championship…]
It's been a long, long, long time coming. Coming out of high school, I'd signed with Arkansas, but you never know where life takes you. I'm happy that I'm back in Arkansas because I think this is where I was supposed to be. I definitely look at it as a blessing in terms of falling in the right place at the right time. I'm happy with that.
