Oregon vs. UCLA Quotes
04/19/08 | Track and Field
Oregon vs. UCLA
April 19, 2008
3000 meter Steeplechase winner Henry Hagenbach (UCLA):
On overcoming Chris Winter's (UO) large lead:
“I didn't always feel comfortable that he was within range, but probably with about 1000 meters to go I saw him tiring since he had been out there working so hard.”
On the weather:
“As distance runners, we run in weather like this in cross country all the time. We were just looking at this as another cross country meet.”
Steeplechase runner-up Chris Winter (UO):
“This year my mantra is to be more competitive. I was able to get out there and open up a big lead, but give credit to Henry (Hagenbach). He ran a great last 200 meters.”
1500 meter winner A.J. Acosta (UO):
“Scott (Wall) did a great job of setting it up for us, and I just gave myself a shot to make a big move the last 300 meters. We did a great job as a team of not letting people get past us. This puts us in great position to win with eight big points.”
1500 meter runner-up Jordan McNamara (UO):
“It's been early June since I have been in a meet. I was so happy to be back out there. I am really happy with my performance. The fans were amazing. My ears were ringing on those last 50 meters.”
Javelin Throw winner Mike Simmons (UO):
“My goal going in to today was to stay healthy and go one, two, and three. There was a lot of pressure on us to perform well. It felt really good to be able to PR today especially since I was coming back from a groin injury.”
Javelin throw runner-up Alex Wolf (UO):
“Today I was looking to stay healthy and just make it to the next week. It was really important for us to go one, two, and three going into the meet, so accomplishing that was good.”
Hammer throw runner-up Jordan Stray (UO):
“Today coach told us to throw far. We knew the weather wasn't going to be the best, but I grew up in
800 meter winner Andrew Wheating (UO):
“My confidence level was through the roof. Once I got out there in front I knew I was going to win it.”
“I like the 800, because there's not too much thinking involved. You go out hard, push yourself, and finish strong.”
Jared Huske (UO):
“My three wins were big victories for us. I didn't get the times I wanted, but it looks like we're going to win the meet, and that was the goal.”
On his exhaustion:
“I sprained my ankle on Monday so I didn't get to work out all week. It's also difficult in a dual meet, because there's so little time in between races.”
On his 400 meter hurdle victory:
“That last curve is where I usually chill, and I could feel him coming, but I knew I had enough energy left to hold him off. I was tired, but the crowd brought me home.”
Discus winner Greg Garza (UCLA):
“The conditions were a little difficult. We had a left tailwind, which made it tough, but I felt I performed well. It's still early in the season, but I feel pretty good with how I did.”
On the dual meet in Eugene:
“I love coming to Eugene. You have to love the crowd here, and they get especially into it when it's a dual meet. I love coming up here and competing.”
UCLA Head Coach Art Venegas
“I knew we had to have a perfect meet today to get the win. I'm really pleased there were no injuries, and I think it shows how good these training staffs are.”
On
This is a special place and this meet hopefully will always be held up here. My kids said they really enjoyed the competitiveness of the meet and that they had a lot of fun. They have done a great job keeping the tradition of
“Now if this meet were to be in UCLA I think we would beat them pretty good, but next year I can guarantee we win.”
Oregon Coach Dan Steele
“This was a lot of fun seeing people stepping up and making a difference. This is a great meet to rally on and to prepare for the Pac-10s. The guys we expect to perform well at the Pac-10s showed today that they have what it takes. To UCLA's credit they weren't at full force. I think this is a very good team and today we found out that we had more depth than we expected.”
On Jared Huske
“Jared had been injured earlier this week, with a sore ankle, and he showed up and had a great day.”
Oregon Head Coach Vin Lananna
“Everything needs to start someplace, and I think this dual meet is a return back to the big time. Our program has great potential to grow.”
“I think UCLA realizes what they have to bring next year. And, I think they will be in for a surprise because
“All the way around today, our kids rose to the occasion.”
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Marcus Dillon (UO)
“We really stepped up as a team today. I felt good in the 100 and 200, and especially in the relay because it was a team effort.”
“I don't pay attention to the rankings. People run fast, no matter what the rankings say.”
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Hammer Throw winner Colin Veldman (UO)
“Recovering from my injury has been a long process. But, I am feeling really good and today is the first day I saw a big improvement.”
“This is our house and we wanted to step up and perform and win this meet. Next up we have the Pac-10's.”
Ashton Eaton (UO)
“This is historic
“If UCLA want to comeback to historic
“This win will have a snowball effect leading into the PAC 10 meet; we'll go in with quiet confidence looking for a repeat.”
“I think the weather played a small factor, if I was coming from UCLA and hail started falling on me I would be like I'm done, lets go home.”
Players Mentioned
