POSTED: Sunday May 17th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2009 adidas Track Classic

ATHLETE QUOTES

Ian Waltz, men’s discus winner
 
I’m just happy to be healthy. Last year at the (Olympic) Trials I tore my adductor muscle in my stomach. I’m finally throwing pain free.
 
I feel like I’m a month or two behind where I need to be but that’s okay because World’s are in August.
 
No matter which meet it is, it’s about winning no matter what the distance.
 
Hazel Clark, women’s 800m winner
 
I wasn’t really happy with the beginning. I kept my composure and held on at the end. I think my coach will be happy.
 
Every week I want to get faster and stronger and get ready for nationals.
 
It wasn’t really a smart race or a clean race.
 
I stopped setting goals for Worlds and the Olympics. I found it was just so much pressure. 
 
Kerron Clement - men’s 400m hurdles winner
 
I’m really happy to come out and compete against the top guys like Angelo (Taylor) and James Carter. I just stayed focused on myself and came up with the win.
 
 I knew something was wrong after the 7th hurdle. I just took it regardless. I was a 110 hurdler so I know how to adjust. I just didn’t let it affect me at all.
 
Natasha Hastings - women’s 400m winner
 
I’m used to running out hard. I got out pretty good.
 
Once I came off the final turn. I gave it all I had.
 
It makes me feel good that I can run well with one shoe and then run well with both shoes on this week.
 
Dawn Harper - women’s 100m hurdle winner
 
We restarted it seemed like 3 times, so I had to get refocused. My start was okay. I thought I was flat a couple in the middle.  I knew I had to leave it all on the line at the end with Perdita (Felicien) and that’s what I did.
 
The time may not show it, but I’m ready for strong competition.
 
Terrence Trammell - men’s 110m hurdles winner
 
I’m happy with the win. I feel good. I’m looking to do some big things. Things are working out really well.
 
Carmelita Jeter - women’s 100m winner
 
The race was a little scary with so many false starts and someone getting kicked out of the race. My coach and I have been working on coming back and keeping my composure. I’m usually the one that lays back in the blocks. This time I didn’t do that.
 
Dwight Phillips - men’s long jump winner
 
I’m satisfied with the win today. I wanted to do a lot better. I already have the world leading jump but it was a little windy out here. I am coming out to redeem myself and win the World Championships.
 
Darvis Patton - men’s 100m winner
 
I was happy to come out and win against this great competition. Beating the Olympic silver medalist is always good, but the whole field was strong. Coming out with a victory is always good. It’s a good indicator and a confidence booster.
 
Bernard Lagat - men’s 1,500m winner
 
I am really pleased with winning.
 
I was feeling good all the way. Even at the bell I wanted to go. So I had to wait, wait, wait. So I went at about 150 and it worked out.
 
LaShawn Merritt - men’s 200m winner
 
Before the race my calf was cramping a little bit. I didn’t get out as hard because of it. It was a little sluggish. I was just going to build into it. I came off the curve and had the strength to hold.
 
I’ve been doing some speed work during the winter. I just wanted to test it out. It felt good.
 
Allyson Felix - women’s 200m winner
 
I’m just pleased to get out there and have a good performance. I had hoped it would be a little faster than it was. I always try to run home strong.
 
It’s really special to run here. This is the only time many of my family members will get to see me run.
 
Jenn Stuczinski - women’s pole vault winner
 
I’m a little disappointed. I should have had 4.93m with the pole I was on. It’s early.  I love coming to LA and competing at the adidas meet. I’m looking for a little more consistency. I feel stronger. I’m definitely a lot stronger. 
 
Jeremy Wariner - men’s 400m winner
 
I executed better than I should have. Right now I’m just focusing on every part of the race. I recently got back with my old coach (Clyde Hart). Coach Ford is a wonderful coach. Experience made the difference. I went back with Coach Hart.
 
Anna Willard - women’s steeplechase world
 
It was good today. I was kind of going for a PR. I’m a little disappointed. I respond to competition a lot more than running out there by myself. I need someone breathing down my neck.
 
I did well today, it’s a good opener.

About USA Track & Field

 
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
 

For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
 

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Keywords · U S Track and Field · athletics · Ian Waltz · Hazel Clark · Kerron Clement · Natasha Hastings · Dawn Harper · Terrence Trammell · Carmelita Jeter

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Name: Vicky Oddi
Organization: US Track and Field
Email:
Phone: +1.317-713-4670
URL: http://www.usatf.org/

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