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Athlete quotes, 2004 Payton Jordan U.S. Open
June 1, 2004
Courtesy of USATF

Jenny Adams, winner 100m hurdles
It felt good out there. The wind was not too crazy, and it was nice and warm. The conditions were good. For my first big race, I'm pleased where I'm at right now. I'm not going to do the long jump this year. I am sad about that. No one else can do it at a world level. My run (on the runway) is all over the place. My rhythm is fast and hard. The events are not compatible to each other. I will pick up the long jump at some point.

Miesha McKelvy, second 100m hurdles
My training is going good. I am working on technical things. Now I am more focused on getting it right than running fast and winning. If I get it technically right, the fast time will take place.

Laban Rotich, winner men's 1,500 meters
The race was fast. The weather was nice. My training is right where I want to be.

Charlie Gruber, second men's 1,500 meters
I was happy with the race. It's a slow start to the season, but I'm physically fit. I just need to commit to the race from the gun. I think I ran a 3:38, which is good, but it's not the A standard. I just need to focus and keep believing.

Gabe Jennings, men's 1500 meters
Regardless of the last 500m, I felt good. I don't have much to say right now. Until I perform, there is no story, it's just Gabe the myth. I feel great and I'm motivated. I have nine races confirmed before the (Olympic) Trials. The fitness is there, I just need to practice racing. My family support has been great. I just want Gabe the myth to become Gabe the reality.

Anjanette Kirkland, third, women's 100 meter hurdles
I didn't feel good today. I can't feel anything on my left side. It's just another race. I need to get my left side healthy before the Olympic Trials. I've proven in the past that I can run 12:98 and then come back and run 12:60.

Allen Johnson, winner, men's 110 meter hurdles
I give myself a C technically and an A in the way I competed. If I can turn my technical part to an A, I will be happy. I had no problem with the wind. I didn't feel it at all. I am healthy. I did have some type of bug a few days ago. I was tired and had a sore throat. But I am fine now.

Terrence Trammell, second, men's 110 meter hurdles
This is the fastest I've run in a consistent basis this time of year and I'm happy about that. Mechanically, it felt good. There are still a couple of things that I need to work on. This is the fastest that I have run at this time of year. I am happy about that.

Nicole Teter, winner women's 800 meters
I've been having some low back and mid back problems and I've been really tight. I am really pleased and surprised with this race. I thought someone would come and take it over, but they let me lead wire to wire. It didn't feel that fast. I felt Sasha come up on me and I thought I'd press a little more. At 200m to go I felt great, but my coach said to wait until 120 meters, so that's what I did. Each race will get progressively better, not by time, but just finishing.

Grace Upshaw, winner women's long jump
It was great with the home crowd here. The weather was good. It was a little windy, but I'll take it. Technically, nothing felt brilliant. I have been working on my speed down the runway. That's been my main focus. Technically, I'll give myself a B- because my takeoff was off. Once I get comfortable with that, it will be fine.

Elliot Blount, winner men's 800 meters
This is the first time that I received flowers after winning. I won at the Brutus Hamilton meet and got a nice watch. At Occidental, I won and got a plaque. This is the third time I have won this year. At Home Depot, I finished second and got a nice pat on the back. My season is going well for me. I am looking forward to the Trials. I am very close to getting a qualifying mark for the Trials.

Aretha Hill, winner women's discus
It's been really consistent this year. I don't want to push it though. I felt great today, good weather, great meet. I love throwing here. I started out flat, but the last 4-6 throws came around to where I like them to be. I' m just being patient and staying relaxed & getting ready for the Olympic Trials. I love competing because it lets me know where I'm at. I plan to go to Portland, take 3 weeks off, and then maybe go to 1 or 2 meets before the Olympic Trials.

Stacy Dragila, winner women's Pole Vault
I felt good today. Got great height and I'm where I want to be right now. I have four meets coming up in Europe and I feel like everything will come together. I know everything will come together. This is a great meet and gives people in the local area a chance to see all of the athletes who will be competing at the Trials. Everybody is really fired up and excited going into Sacramento. My family and friends already have tickets and I know a lot of people from this area will be there.

Toby Stevenson, winner men's pole vault
I wanted to jump higher than I did, but Jeff pushed me, so I felt I competed well. I don't take winning for granted. My main goal is to get out there and jump well every time. My confidence is as high as it's ever been. If anyone is gong to beat me, they're going to have to jump damn high. If they do, great. I'm right where I want to be.

Latasha Colander, winner women's 200
In the curve, it was a little windy. Then, down the straight the wind was at our backs. I'm in the mix for the top three (at the Olympic Trials.) There are a lot of us in the mix. Five have gone 22 seconds. My times in practice have been exceptional.

John Godina, winner, shot put
The crowd was into it the whole time. Most of the time, the fans here are laid back. But this crowd was intense. This is a good next step to the Trials. You can't make it in one huge leap. I would like to have PR'd today. But this was a good throw for me.

Sarah Schwald, second, women's 1,500
This was my first race of the year, and I didn't know what to expect. I'm training for the Olympic Trials. I didn't have a clear idea what type of time I would get. I'm happy with 4:09.

Justin Gatlin, second, men's 100
It was windy out there. I'm trying to get my technique down. I'm young and I 'm learning something new every day. With no wind, I have been running at 10 seconds. With wind, I'm in the 9.9 range.

Maurice Greene, winner men's 100
I'm pleased with the beginning of the race. I accomplished what I wanted to do today. I was aggressive at the start. I'm in great form and the races are showing it. When I'm in a race with no wind, we'll see what happens. I am 100 percent healthy. When I'm healthy, the sky's the limit. The Trials will be great. I say everyone will be fighting for second.


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