June 14, 2003
Head Coach Curtis Frye
“Our women had a great meet under the conditions – running lots of rounds like everyone else here. Aleen Bailey had two great wins and I can’t say enough about her. Tiffany Ross ran 11 races this week which is incredible. I am happy to be the coach of the women. Miki Barber also finished wonderful in the 4x400m relay. The future is still very bright with Erica Whipple, Tiffany, the relay – just incredible performance,” said Frye.
“Our men put forth a great effort. This is a tough track meet. To put forth the effort we did, I am very pleased with them,” said Frye. “I am proud of our 4x400m relay on the men’s side, proud of our coaching staff and proud to be associated with a great institution.”
Tiffany Ross (100m Hurdles)
“I didn’t run a bad race. My first part of my race could have been better. But last year I ran 13.01 and finished eighth. This year they just ran much faster. I am disappointed, but I need to get ready for the 4x400m relay.”
Otis Harris (400m, 4x400m relay)
“That’s what you have to expect when you are running against the best guys in the country. These guys in this race are going to be representing the US or whatever country they will run for at the Olympics so they will bring their all. You have to expect this kind of race. I have never heard of a race this close, but that’s what you have to expect, a hard, close finish. I thought I had Potter, but I didn’t see Steele, he was out in lane seven. I was definitely thinking Potter and that’s why I thought I had it won. It was a great run. I don’t want to take anything from Adam Steele. It was a great race and I congratulate him on the win. I will be back next year and hopefully he will too and we can do it all again.
“I have been talking to my Dad in the morning and he’s my top encourager. He’s the person I look up to the most in my life. This is kind of a Father’s Day present to him. Once he sees it on tv, hopefully he will be proud of his son.
(On being down by about 10 meters with 325 meters to go): “I knew that Potter got out and was ahead of me. I thought maybe he got out too fast but even though I thought that, you have to be mature enough to stay within your own race. My coach has taught me to stay within my race and to stay focused. It’s a blessing to be here and to be healthy.”
(4x400m relay) “It was crazy at the exchange. I ran into Ricky Harris (Florida) – I could have gotten out faster but there was a lot of bumping and grinding to get the sticks,” said Harris. “We’ve had a lot of people hurt. For us to come in here and run 3:02 says a lot – shows a lot of heart from my teammates cause it hasn’t been a great meet for us individually but it’s still a great run for the team.”
Aleen Bailey (200m)
“It’s wonderful. I am very excited that I came here to help my team win the national title. I went out there and put my all out on the line and came out victorious. I hope I did enough to help them. I was really surprised because where she was I thought she was leading. I dug deep and thought about my teammates and how much they are depending on me and how much they mean to me so I dug deeper.”
Erica Whipple (200m)
“I would have liked to have finished higher, but running so many rounds took a toll. I am very proud of Aleen – winning both. That’s wonderful.”
