Quotes From Big Ten Indoor Championships Winners – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
February 21, 1999
Quotes from the 1999 Big Ten Womens Indoor Track and Field Event Champions
Kierstin Doyle, Purdue: Pole Vault “I had been thinking all week about the possibility that I could win. It was also a possibility for my other two teammates to place very high. I was very excited all week about it. To actually see it happen and to go 1-2 and also fifth was amazing. It was so much fun. Not only is it a new event, but its also the first year Ive ever done the pole vault and for me, its been so much fun because Ive been a hurdler my entire track career, since I was 11. To do something brand new, kind of near the end of my collegiate career is really exciting. I love to even go to practice and do it because I feel like I learn something every time.”
Brandy Bentley, Michigan: Long Jump “After my last year indoor and outdoor season I wasnt very happy with my performance. So, I worked very hard with my number one goal of coming back and being Big Ten Champion and a national qualifier. Some of my goals I havent been accomplishing, but that was one I was really focused on accomplishing. My coach was a very good jumper in the Big Ten and in his freshman year jumped 25 feet, so hes really technical and helps me with my form. He pumps me up and tells me to go get em, but he also keeps me focused on each phase of the jump.”
Toyinda Smith, Purdue: Weight Throw “I was hoping for a better throw, but I did my best on this day. I have two more competitions, the USATF and NCAAs to think about, and if I can throw what Ive been throwing, then I can make them both. I thank God for blessing me with this win. It was definitely for the team.”
Khadijah Conda, Purdue: 400 meter dash “This win has been a long time coming. I was ranked number one coming in last year and got very close, finishing a painful second. This year I tried to stay focused, with no injuries. I train with excellent people and in fact some of the best quarter-milers in the Big Ten are at Purdue University. I knew some of the top contenders would be here in the 400.” Kerry Ann Richards, Illinois: 60 meter dash “It was a surprising victory. I knew I was in the top three coming in, but its been a very tough season. I wanted to make this year a comeback year. Its a satisfying feeling to come out with a win.”
Carrie Hoblet, Ohio State: 800 meter run “The whole race was really crowded the whole time. I felt like I changed positions about ten different times and I didnt know where I was going to end up. It was a good race with a lot of very good competitors. I thank the Lord because I was praying down the entire homestretch. I havent had a very good season so far since I transferred from Miami (Ohio), so this win today is very special.”
Christine Gulbrandsen-Kurth, Minnesota: Triple Jump “I had a hard day yesterday with the long jump and pole vault. When I warmed up, though, I felt awesome. This is good for my confidence with the other upcoming championships. I know I can do it now and am on my way to being able to jump even farther.”
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Adrianna Hunter, Michigan: 600 meter run “I wanted to do well and I felt like I wanted to be in the race. As the race was going, I kept thinking that the pace was so fast. I just had to convince myself that I could catch [Ohio States] Reece by keeping the right pace, and I was able to.”
Donica Merriman, Ohio State: 60 meter hurdles “I was very surprised at the start of the race because I was challenged by [Toyin] Augustus from Penn State. All I could think about was that I had to catch her, and I did.”
Nicole Forrester, Michigan: High Jump “I wanted to come and repeat since this is my senior year. I didnt want to do anything but win, so Im glad and thankful that I did that. Setting a new Big Ten record allows me to set the standard even higher, which will allow for even better representation for the Big Ten. I wanted to jump 6 feet, 6 inches, but I didnt know if that would have been too big of a jump. Im there, though, so it will all come in due time. When it came down to myself and Carri Long from Purdue, all that went through my mind was Im here, Im a senior and this is my last Indoor meet. I finished second at the Outdoor Championships last year, and I know how much that hurt, how bad I felt after that. I knew that no one was going to hand me anything and that I would have to go out there and take the victory.”
Erica Palmer, Wisconsin: 5,000 meter run “I took it out really hard, and went even harder near the end because I didnt want to lose. I definitely really wanted to win.”
Michigan Head Coach James Henry “I feel relieved. Now I can go home, relax and enjoy. This is probably the hardest Championship we won. I know weve won a few, but this one is better for us because we were balanced and we had a lot better competition across the board. Purdue is a team to look out for, and today was just our day. If these teams met again, it might be a different story, but today is our day. Our women fought from beginning to end and we deserved this one, more than any we have ever won.”
Jenelle Deatherage, Wisconsin: 3, 000 and Mile “Im both excited and disappointed. Excited with my performance, but disappointed because nothing beats winning a team title. Everybody did their best. Im happy with my performance since this is only the second competition Ive ever won other than our home meet at the beginning of the year. Hopefully well get it together as a team for the Outdoor season.”
Dominque Calloway, Ohio State: 200 meter and 4×400 meter relay “Im extremely tired, but Im glad to end the meet on a good note. My coach told me to win, and I did what he told me to do. I kept thinking about that during the entire race. The hurdles made me more focused, since I didnt do as well as Id hoped, in the other events.”
Desiree Jones, Ohio State: Heptathlon “It feels good to win the heptathlon after placing second last year. All the points yesterday helped promote the team effort. Im just satisfied knowing I could contribute to the team and get Ohio State off to a good start.”
–Go Bucks!–
