May 31, 2003

Recap?|? Complete Results?|? Notes

Head Coach Curtis Frye

Overall, we did excellent. We got everyone sent to nationals that we expected in this meet. We’re waiting on Miki Barber to see if she gets to NCAAs based on performance. On the en’s side, some people came alive. OT came back – finished second and ran a great race. We expect him to be ready by nationals. Otis out of lane two was great. The only mishap we had was the seeding – it cost us a spot in the men’s 4×1. Corey Taylor had a great finish in the hurdles and Durant did well and will make nationals on the 4×4 team. Today we had big performance in Otis and Jon. Both are automatic qualifiers and are going to California.

On the women’s side, Tiffany Ross had her greatest meet since being at Carolina. She led off a relay with the second best time in school history – the 4x100m relay. Alexis Joyce had a big run on the turn in her leg of the 4x100m relay. Erica had a solid meet, a little down after the SEC Championships, but will get back up for NCAAs. Aleen’s run in the 100 was a fantastic meet. Shevon Stoddart ran two races – the 400m dash and 400m hurdles within in 45 minutes then came back to lead off the 4x400m relay, so she had a good day.

Aleen’s leading off when she’s not a 4x400m relay runner, that shows the heart of Carolina. I told her just go through the emotions, but she found a way to step up and she just won’t quit. The sixth place finish by Jared Farabee in the pole vault gives him a shot at nationals.

Tiffany had a tremendous meet. She did a great job in leadership today. She went four for four but kept rallying the troops and kept going back to the line. This meet forces you to run injured people because you can’t make substitutions. It forces to use your people and using Aleen Bailey, I told them to go through the emotions, but you can’t tell that to competitive people. Each one of them did that. We’ve got a great coaching and training staff. They keep putting our kids back together. Administrative support helped as well. Having the support at this meet has been special. I’m just proud of our kids with the support we get. With our women finishing second to Florida and our men finishing third to Florida and Florida State – we’re in good company. We don’t like to lose and we won’t take it anymore.

Tiffany Ross

I’m very excited. I started out well with the 4x100m relay then came out and ran a season best in the 100m hurdles. I feel great right now after running two races today. Mentally, I’m still strong, still ready to go. I’m ready to go out there and win and help the team win this regional and get us to nationals.

After winning 400m hurdles: I’m feeling pretty good right now. I’ve got one more race to go, the 4x400m relay. We’ve got some people out with injuries so some people have to step up and fill those shoes.

My only secret [to running in four races in one day] is to work hard and be mentally tough. Our coaches have trained us well so that this is possible. Once you get something in your head thinking you can do something, no one can stop you.

This is my first time running four events in one day in college. I did it in high school, but it wasn’t anything like this. But, to do it here, at this level, only gives me more motivation to go out there and do well.

This feels good. I’m very excited – it was a whole team effort. Everyone was supportive and everybody kept everybody else motivated. I knew the competition was going to be tough, but I didn’t think about trying to go for four wins today.

I did fine, but I think I could have done better in my leg of the 4x400m relay.

Aleen Bailey

On the 4x100m relay: That race felt good. I feel like I’m back to my old self. The team did really good today. We feel very confident going into nationals, especially running 43.26 today (a season best). We’re looking forward to defending our title.

On winning 100m dash: I’m very happy and excited. That was my best time running this year. It’s the first time I’ve ran 11.17 in two years. I’m feeling good right now, especially after running in the 4x100m relay. I think that relay warms me up for this 100m dash.

I’m really excited about going into the NCAA Championships with a time of 11.17. Now I know I have the ability to do it and I want to win that title this year.

On teammate Erica Whipple: It’s fun competing and training with Erica Whipple. She broke my school record in the 100m dash at the SEC Championships and I was happy for her. She and I are very close – we’re really good friends so if I set the school record she is happy for me and if she sets the record, I’m happy for her.

Does that friendly competition push you to do better and better? Yes, it’s helped. We motivate each other and it has helped a lot.

Erica Whipple

I’m excited about going to nationals. I went to nationals last year and the 4x100m relay was the only event I competed in last year. We’re doing very well right now and I’m very excited about being able to defend our national title in the 4x100m relay.

I feel very confident going into nationals because Coach Frye now has the team that he wants running the relay. He’s got the team that can win nationals.

I like running the 4x100m relay because it’s a team effort.

Otis Harris

That kick at the end of the 400m dash is something I’ve been blessed with so I try and use it as best I can.

Did you have to mentally overcome that lane two seed? Most definitely. Going into lane two, since I’m already in nationals it would be easy for me to not put forth my best effort. But when you do that, you get used to doing that and it will carry over into the championships. I just wanted to come out here and win.

Mentally and physically, how do you feel going into nationals after winning at SEC and Regionals? I feel good but at the same time, as soon as I get back I’ve got to work to prepare for nationals.

Tawana Watkins

I feel good right now, feeling pretty confident. This is my first experience here, so this is all a learning process. My split (52.9) was the fastest that I have ever run – it’s a personal record. I knew everyone else was tired so I had to do well. Aleen [Bailey] and Tiffany [Ross] had already competed in three other events today so they were pretty tired, but they still did well. I’m excited about going to nationals in my first year here. Actually, I’m nerved and excited right now.