Men's Track & Field
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
May 17, 2007
Linda Kalafatis, Ohio State head coach
On being in the NCAA tournament
“What an exciting thing to be one of the final 64 best teams in the country. And it’s a thrill to be playing at Buckeye Field. We have been home four weekends in a row now and we have had a little success here, so I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”
On her team
“I always tell the team that you have to control what you can control and this team has done that. We have been focusing on the good things we have done and as I watch championship teams, they get excited about the little things and that’s what we have been doing. We haven’t played perfect, but we have done a good job rebounding from our mistakes.”
Jamee Juarez, Ohio State senior pitcher/third baseman
On what this season means to the team
“This season has meant a lot. It is something the seniors have been trying to do since we came in as freshmen and to get it done our senior year is amazing. We couldn’t ask for anything more.”
On Cal State Fullerton
“Every time we have played them the past four years it has always been over at their place. To have a chance to play them here is great. We lost in the worst way at their place this year, a chopper over the third baseman’s head.”
Christina Douglas, Ohio State senior first baseman
On playing at night
“I like to think that regardless of if we play at night, at 8:30 in the morning, or in the afternoon we are the same team. I know different girls have different rituals depending on what time of day we play, but that’s about it.”
On Cal State Fullerton
“We played them during spring break and we had a tough spring break schedule. Both teams have come along way since then. We have both played entire seasons and are two completely different teams now.” Mike Rappl, Canisius head coach
On being back in the NCAA tournament
“We have been at Michigan the last three times we were in the NCAA tournament, so it’s good to get somewhere new. I’m real proud of our team for coming back and having a strong finish. We didn’t start well in our first conference weekend, but we have been playing well. And it’s nice to have that consistency with the schedule, too, after having the weather cancel some games where you would play, then sit for awhile, so that helps. We’re excited to be back in the tournament and it’s a privilege. I’m excited for our seniors to have this happen to end their careers that way.”
On traveling to the Ohio State regional
“We like to get around to different places to play and it’s nice to get to another Big Ten school to see their facilities, especially at a place like Ohio State, who has such a storied tradition.”
Scot Thomas, Virginia Tech head coach
On dealing with the tragedy April 16 on the Virginia Tech campus
“We really tried to keep our focus on what we wanted to accomplish this season – winning the ACC title and moving on to play in the NCAA tournament. We had to take a week, sit back and reflect on what life is about.”
On the support of the community and beyond
“Even last night when we got to our hotel, we saw “VTs” and had words of encouragement and sympathy and people telling us `we’re with you.’ We are getting to the point where we understand the impact we have had in the healing process and it’s very special to fell that warmth from everyone.”
On his team dealing with the tragedy
“We have a very mature group so that has helped. Three of our current players are her (former player Theresa Walsh) roommate, so they have had to deal with that (Walsh was shot at in Norris Hall but not hit). They have handled it so well.”
Angela Tincher, Angela Tincher junior pitcher
On advancing to the NCAA regionals
“It’s exciting because this was our goal all year and winning the ACC championship. We are happy to have the No. 1 seed and to be playing so close to home in a regional.”
On overcoming the adversity of the Virginia Tech shootings in April
“Playing softball was the only normal thing for us to do. It was therapeutic to have that one thing we could go back to. But it did bring us closer together because we realized how lucky we were to be here playing softball.”
Kelsey Hoffman, Virginia Tech junior catcher
On advancing to the NCAA regionals
“It’s exciting. This year, it feels like we’re going to go further in the tournament, so everything feels different.”
On overcoming the adversity of the Virginia Tech shootings in April
“It made us realize we are lucky to be here and lucky to be playing. We are continually reminded of what happened when we are on campus. But everywhere you go, you hear `Go Hokies.’ The support has been amazing. We are slowing getting past the grieving stage and starting to move on because we will not let that define us.”
Michelle Gromacki, Cal State Fullerton head coach
On being in the NCAA tournament again
“We are so excited to be here. We have a little banquet for the NCAA tournament selection show and we were thrilled to see our name called. It’s a reward for having a great season.”
On playing at Ohio State
“We have only been out of California twice for the NCAA tournament – at Washington and at Arizona, but we’re happy to be traveling and are looking forward to the weekend.”
Ashley Van Boxmeer, Cal State Fullerton outfielder
On being in the NCAA tournament
“It’s always a goal to win the conference, but this is what it’s all about. It’s definitely very exciting. We didn’t care where we got sent. We didn’t focus on who else was in our region. We are just excited to be in.”
### Go Bucks! ###
