USA Track & Field – News – Day 2 Quotes – U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field

July 2, 2016
U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field
Athlete Quotes

Women’s 10,000m, final

Jordan Hasay, ninth place, 32.43.43
“I expected that Molly would take me at some point, but her taking it from the gun was pretty tough. In this heat was going to make it tough because she ran just about my PR to win. I did my heat training, but it was tougher than I expected to keep at that pace.”

Men’s pole vault, qualifying

Brad Walker, DNQ – NH (American Record Holder)

On Competing in the Trials: “It wasn’t really on my radar until one of the coaches I was working with said my mark from last year got me in. I decided to spend the month of June after the college system got out and tried to put together some solid training. Coaching has been front and center on what I was doing and most of my energy. Once I freed myself up from that situation I went out to see what I could do.”

On how he did today: “I was pleasantly surprised. I put good height over 40 and I was on poles that weren’t too far away. I was going in here with no real expectations other than to enjoy the meet, have fun. Being in the Trials is a neat environment and atmosphere.”

On this being his last Olympic Trials: “I’m 99.9% sure this is my last one. I have a responsibility now to get the Washington State program up and running and I want to get those guys jumping high and that is where I’m putting my focus.”

Women’s 800m, semi-finals

Heat 2

Ajee’ Wilson, first place, 2:00.81

“There were a couple position changes, so I just wanted to match them and stay close with three to go. I was prepared if anyone came up toward the end. There's only so much you can see from behind and looking at the screen. I don't want to focus on it.”

Men’s 800m, semi-finals

Heat 2

Clayton Murphy, first place, 1:46.97

On the semi final: “I felt good, still adjusting to going out in 24 (seconds), but I felt a lot better today than yesterday. I was ready to go at 200 but didn’t want to swing into lane 4, so I waited until 100m (to go). I feel like if I’m there i dont like to get beat the last 100 meters, so as long as I’m there with 200m to go i give myself a decent shot.”

Brandon Johnson, 2nd, 1:47.02
“I’m here to compete hard and just the fact that I made the final means I’m really pleased with myself. The work is not done, but I’m happy I came here to do what I needed to do and I’m in the final. Whatever happens in the final happens. You have to be in it to win it, right?”

Charles Jock, 3rd, 1:47.35
“Last year I was in great shape the I got hurt the Saturday before about six days out. After that I turned my focus to this year. This is the biggest meet of a track athlete’s career to try and make it to the Olympics.”

On Monday’s Final: “It will be fast and I’m comfortable with that. My last two meet have given me the chance to remember what it is like to run an 800 and I’m pretty happy with that.”

Amanda Brooks
Marketing and Communications Manager
USA Track & Field
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