University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Drake Relays - Day Three Quotes
4/25/2008 8:00:00 AM | Track and Field
April 25, 2008
Recap |
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Tyler Mulder
Junior
Anchor leg, 4x800 relay
On his strategy for the anchor leg:
"I didn't want to get out to early. I have a whole never level I'd could take it to, but I didn't want to do anything stupid, I just wanted to be patient. I knew if I was patient I could outkick anybody, and it paid off."
On the team's celebration:
"It's kind of the equivalent to a touchdown. We were thinking about doing a little touchdown dance, but maybe we'll save that for tomorrow."
On importance of winning at the Drake Relays:
"This is always a big goal. When we're making goals, it's (the Drake Relays) and conference and nationals. Some of the biggest college meets."
On winning on a national stage:
"We're here to show everybody it's a Panther state, and we're also here to show the nation that it's a Panther nation and we're a force to be reckoned with."
Dorian Ulrey
Sophomore
Second leg, 4x800 relay
On taking his exchange from Jack Ogden in a tight pack of runners:
"It might have been a half-dozen, but it felt like 20 guys. It was a big cluster, but we got the baton where we wanted it and stayed out of trouble. I went on the outside and it felt good, so I just kept charging."
On thoughts after his leg:
"I knew we had it. I have confidence in all our legs. Mike Craddick is hungry. He's hungry for a (champion's) flag out there today and I knew he was going to do whatever he had to do to keep us in contention. I had no fear whatsoever for the second half of the race."
On winning the 4x800 a second time:
"It's better. It feels better this time."
Jack Ogden
Junior
First leg, 4x800 relay
On how the sub-40-degree temperatures affected the race:
"It's my first time in a big race like this and the weather definitely played a big role in it. It's hard warming up because you have to warm up inside and walk all the way over (to the track). It's tough, but the team made the best of it."
On nerves before first major collegiate race:
"I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be, but it was still nerve-racking knowing a lot of how our team would be successful rested on my shoulders because that first leg is so big."
Ryan Grenko
Junior
Third leg, men's 4x400 relay
On the XX-degree temperature at race time:
"Being from Cedar Falls and northeast Iowa, this is our kind of weather, so I think it actually benefits us. You just have to make sure you warm up more so you don't pull anything. That's the biggest concern."
On running first 400-meter race of the year:
"This is my first 400 of any kind, so this is my opening meet. I ran 45 (seconds) and it's not the best conditions, so you'll take what you can get."
On running 3:10.43:
"We're up there at the top, so we're pretty happy with that. We were pretty confident going in, and we knew that if we went out and took care of business, we could be in (the finals). We'll just have to go out and get it done tomorrow."
Meredith Kosmacek-Simon
Senior
Second leg, 4x200 relay
On running in cold weather:
"It's not that pleasant and I'm just standing there waiting for the baton thinking, 'Please hurry up so I can get out of this weather.' I think running in this weather is kind of an advantage for us, though, because we have been running in the cold a lot this year."
On competing at Drake Relays for eighth and final time:
"It's a little sad, but exciting at the same time, because I've run here so many times. (Fellow senior) Lauren Carruthers and I were talking about how we've run here so many times and we're finally reaching the end."
On the team's performance:
"The time was a little slow, but with this weather we ran pretty well today."
Players Mentioned
