April 27, 2005
Columbia, S.C. – USC track and field will be heading to Philadelphia, Pa. for the 111th Penn Relays on April 28-30. The following are comments from USC track and field head coach Curtis Frye from the Penn Relays press conference held on April 25th:
Frye on team strength – “We’re simpler. I think we can win a championship of America and I think our goals are to be in five championships of America on the women’s side -shuttle hurdles, 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, sprint medley are some of the events. There are a lot of great teams that are in. The University of Tennessee can be a team that can keep Dennis and [LSU] from sweeping. I think it’s a lot more balanced with Tennessee, ourselves and the University of Texas women. I don’t think that anybody is a threat or strong enough to do what LSU has been doing.”
Frye on mindset entering Relays after winning 4×400 last year – “Our goal is to win the 4×400 every year at Penn Relays. I don’t know how many times in the last nine years that we haven’t had a chance of winning it…That’s our major focus, to be strong in the 4×400. I wouldn’t say the mindset is different.”
Frye on the 4×100 vs. the 4×400 – “The 4×100 has a lot of timing involved and anything can happen. Blocks are important, lane draws, curve in the middle of the track, and early heats in the morning are all tough, so you can’t predict a lot of that. But the 4×400 you get a lot of chances to make up for mistakes. So it gives us a better chance for our kids to deal with the stress of a phenomenal meet like the Penn Relays with the great crowds. I think the crowd helps you more in the 4×400.”
Frye on track athletes going pro – “I would hope our sport has become popular enough that our kids are getting opportunities that they can have professional careers. I mean real professional careers where they make much higher than six and a half figures per year over for years and companies would pay for the extension of their education. Academically they are set to continue to do well. On the women’s side, I don’t see it particular as a bad thing. We try to encourage our kids to do as well as they can academically and prepare themselves for a lucrative future. Very few times can you start out as a college graduate making $150,000…I don’t think you can say that’s a thing of the future…But as long as these shoe companies are willing to pay for these kids to finish their degrees, I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”
Frye on athletes to watch – “Jason Richardson is a strength and Rodney Martin, a kid that was third indoor 200 meters in 20.38…Our two strongest races are the 4×100 and the 4×200 and to reach the Championship of America in both of them would be a highlight of our season at this point. Our strength is the short relay.”
