May 19, 2002
DAY THREE SUPERLATIVES
NCAA AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS
WOMEN
Javelin -- Kendra Wecker (Kansas State), 173-07
Shot Put -- Rebekah Green (Kansas State), 55-05.50
Shot Put - Austra Skujyte (Kansas State), 53-07.75
Shot Put - Lisa Griebel (Iowa State), 53-02.25
400-meter hurdles - Raasin McIntosh (Texas), 56.60
MEN
Javelin - Scott Russell (Kansas), 249-03
110-meter hurdles - Jermaine Cooper (Texas), 13.54
Discus - Carl Myerscough (Nebraska), 197-07
NCAA PROVISIONAL QUALIFIERS
WOMEN
Javelin - Andrea Bulat (Kansas), 153-08
4x100-meter relay - Texas, 44.52
4x100-meter relay - Texas Tech, 44.64
3000-meter steeplechase - Lesley Higgins (Colorado), 10:26.16
3000-meter steeplechase - Natalie Florence (Colorado), 10:30.26
3000-meter steeplechase - Stephanie Bennett (Baylor), 10:36.20
1500-meter run - Amy Mortimer (Kansas State), 4:19.26
1500-meter run - Katy Eisenmenger (Kansas), 4:20.34
1500-meter run - Erin Sims (Texas), 4:20.37
1500-meter run - Sara Gorton (Colorado), 4:24.77
1500-meter run - Ann Marie Brooks (Missouri), 4:23.01
Shot Put - Janae Strickland (Missouri), 49-05.75
100-meter hurdles - Hannah Cooper (Colorado), 13.16
100-meter hurdles - Nichole Denby (Texas), 13.23
100-meter hurdles - Shelly-Ann Brown (Nebraska), 13.31
100-meter hurdles - Raasin McIntosh (Texas), 13.32
100-meter hurdles - Jennie Wonder (Kansas), 13.39
100-meter hurdles - Tiffany Davis (Oklahoma), 13.46
100-meter hurdles - Emily Waibel (Nebraska), 13.56
400-meter dash - Naleya Downer (Texas), 52.88
400-meter dash - Barbara Petrahn (Baylor), 53.12
400-meter dash - Lesley Owusu (Nebraska), 53.52
400-meter dash - Licretia Sibley (Texas Tech), 53.59
100-meter dash - Aleah Williams (Texas) 11.42
100-meter dash - Monique Wright-Cruse (Texas Tech), 11.44
100-meter dash - Tiffany Green (Texas Tech), 11.45
100-meter dash - LaKeesha White (Texas), 11.52
Triple Jump - Brooklyn Hann (Kansas), 42-11
Triple Jump - Krisztina Kovesi (Nebraska), 42-08.75
Triple Jump - Chaytan Hill (Kansas State), 42-06.25
800-meter run - Lenka Kalabova (Iowa State), 2;06.33
800-meter run - Shannon Spaulding (Texas Tech), 2:06.45
Pole Vault - Erica Boren (Texas A&M), 13-00.75
Pole Vault - Jennifer Bennett (Missouri), 12-08.75
400-meter hurdles - Danielle Myricks (Baylor), 57.31
400-meter hurdles - Chava Demart (Baylor), 58.81
200-meter dash - Tiffany Green (Texas Tech), 23.48
200-meter dash - Aleah Williams (Texas), 23.49
5000-meter run - Sara Gorton (Colorado), 16:11.83
5000-meter run - Ann Marie Brooks (Missouri), 16:20.40
5000-meter run - Siri Alfheim (Oklahoma State), 16:22.74
5000-meter run - Amy Mortimer (Kansas State), 16:23.97
5000-meter run - Jodie Hughes (Colorado), 16:45.91
4x400-meter relay - Texas, 3:33.21
4x400-meter relay - Baylor, 3:34.95
4x400-meter relay - Texas Tech, 3:37.11
4x400-meter relay - Nebraska, 3:38.05
MEN
4x100-meter relay - Texas Tech, 40.08
4x100-meter relay - Texas, 40.10
Javelin - Nathan Junius (Texas), 230-10
Javelin - Artur Wszelaki (Nebraska), 224-01
Javelin - Jarred Matthews (Texas A&M) 221-05
1500-meter run - Jorge Torres (Colorado), 3:42.91
3000-meter steeplechase - Steve Slattery (Colorado), 8:51.25
110-meter hurdles - Jared MacLeod (Kansas State), 13.75
110-meter hurdles - Derek Zachary (Nebraska), 13.82
110-meter hurdles - Lex Butler (Colorado), 13.84
400-meter dash - Darold Williamson (Baylor), 45.88
100-meter dash - Terence Newman (Kansas State) 10.34
Discus - Jason Young (Texas Tech), 195-11
Discus - Josh Ralston (Texas A&M), 187-04
Discus - Russ Bell (Missouri), 186-09
400-meter hurdles - Michael Smith (Baylor), 50.12
400-meter hurdles - Reggie DePass (Colorado), 50.13
400-meter hurdles - Roberto Carvajal (Kansas State), 51.00
High Jump - Joey Brunkhorst (Iowa State), 7-02.25
5000-meter run - Dathan Ritzenhein (Colorado), 13:56.21
5000-meter run - Jorge Torres (Colorado), 13:56.33
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP MEET RECORDS
WOMEN
3000 steeplechase - Lesley Higgins (Colorado), 10:26.16
5000-meter run - Sara Gorton (Colorado), 16:11.83
MEN
1500-meter run - Jorge Torres (Colorado), 3:42.91
5000-meter run - Dathan Ritzenhein (Colorado), 13:56.21
AUDREY J. WALTON TRACK-SOCCER STADIUM RECORDS
WOMEN
3000-meter steeplechase - Lesley Higgins (Colorado), 10:26.16
100-meter hurdles - Hannah Cooper (Texas), 13.16
5000-meter run - Sara Gorton (Colorado), 16:11.83
MEN
Javelin - Scott Russell (Kansas), 249-03
1500-meter run - Jorge Torres (Colorado), 3:42.91
Discus - Carl Myerscough (Nebraska), 197-07
5000-meter run - Dathan Ritzenhein (Colorado), 13:56.21
DAY THREE QUOTES
MEN'S POLE VAULT
Brian Hunter - Texas
On winning the Big 12 Championship:
"It feels great. Being a senior, it was something I wanted to do. It was on my task sheet. I've been looking forward to it all season and it worked out well."
On going to the NCAA Championships:
"With Big 12's over, the NCAA's are the next step. The meet is all mine. I can either win it or lose it. I've been able to implement a lot of things this past year and things are looking up."
MEN'S LONG JUMP
Frank Tolen - Nebraska
On being a Big 12 Champion:
"It feels good. Because going into the competition I thought it would take more that 25-2 to win, but I popped it off with my first jump and that held through the entire competition."
On if he was disappointed with his jump:
"Yeah, I was rather disappointed with the jump because I can jump farther. A couple of the attempts were scratches and they were big jumps. But I'm happy I got the win."
WOMEN'S DISCUS
Becky Breisch -- Nebraska
On her record throw:
"I'm speechless. I really didn't expect to do it. I'm glad that it happened and that it worked out."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I'll be competing against a lot of really good throwers like I was this weekend. So I'll just hope for the best and end in the top five."
WOMEN'S HIGH JUMP
Gina Curtis - Iowa State
On the feeling after she cleared the height of 6-1:
"I knew it was going to come down to clearing that. I felt really good that I hadn't had a miss. I knew that at 6-1, I had to hit it. Or it would have come down to misses."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I'm really excited, having been there before, I think that is going to help. Going in with a win is going to give me more confidence. I'm going to be more relaxed and that has always helped me to perform better. I can channel my nerves in the direction that will help me."
WOMEN'S JAVELIN
Kendra Wecker - Kansas State
On if she felt pressure coming into the tournament:
"Not really, I just wanted to come out here today and feel comfortable. It was a lot of fun being out here and throwing with a lot of my teammates. I had a great time."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I'm going to go down there and do the best that I can. I'm definitely going to have a positive attitude and having a fun time."
MEN'S TRIPLE JUMP
Benaud Shirley - Kansas
On how it feels to be a Big 12 Champion:
"It feels good. I was just trying to stick my jumps today and it feels good."
On approaching his final and winning jump:
"I was trying to bring out a bit more speed and be aggressive as I got near the board."
MEN'S DISCUS
Carl Myerscough - Nebraska
On winning both the discus and shot put:
"There both equally satisfying. The discus is harder, because I was drained after the shot put. I was just happy to get the win."
On his chances at winning the shot put and the discus at the NCAA Championships:
"It's going to be hard, but I believe I can get it. I have two weeks to get ready now and I'll certainly be trying to do the double."
MEN'S JAVELIN
Scott Russell - Kansas
On winning two events at the Big 12 Championships:
"It feels great. I can't ask for more. I just came here and the coaches expected me to go first in both events. I got twenty points for the team so that really helps us."
On the NCAA Championships:
"If I throw the way that I did today with really good conditions, I'll hopefully throw a PR and we'll see where that gets me."
WOMEN'S SHOT PUT
Rebekah Green -- Kansas State
On winning the Big 12 Championship:
"I worked really hard this Big 12 season. I haven't worked this hard before but indoors didn't go like I expected. I worked hard in the weight room and on the track."
On if she felt this was a breakthrough season:
"I felt I was going to breakthrough. Four or five weeks ago, something started to happen. I had real good balance. I needed to believe that it would come through on a day that I needed it to and it did."
WOMEN'S TRIPLE JUMP
Brooklyn Hann --Kansas
On how she jumped:
"I felt well, I jumped well and PR'd by a lot, so that felt good."
On being a Big 12 Champion:
"That felt great. I didn't really expect it because I'm a freshman, but I'm happy about it.'
WOMEN'S 4X100 RELAY
LaKeesha White -- Texas
On the NCAA Championships:
"We feel very confident. We're looking forward to it. Today we had a few shaky handoffs. We're just going to go back a practice the next few weeks and get ready for nationals."
On the close race with Texas Tech:
"We expected it. We expect everyone to challenge us. We have a lot of darts at our back, so we have to be ready for anything."
MEN'S 4X100 RELAY
Carlos Francis -- Texas Tech
On defeating Texas:
"We beat them twice already this year so that we just have to run our race and we'll be alright."
On the NCAA Championships:
"We're going to get a little healthier and we're going to get one of our runner back. So we have a better chance there. We just have to run."
WOMEN'S POLE VAULT
Erica Boren - Texas A&M
On being a Big 12 Champion:
"It's an awesome feeling. I was so excited, it was hard to keep focused when I found out I won. It's just a great finish."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I'm really looking forward to the NCAA's. I jumped at Dallas a few time and I like that track. I feel that I am ready to breakthrough that barrier. I'm looking forward to it."
WOMEN'S STEEPLECHASE
Lesley Higgins -- Colorado
On being a Big 12 Champion:
"It feels good. I won the Indoor Big 12 Championship my first year and since then I've had a lot of seconds and thirds. It's been really frustrating. It's finally good to finish off with a win."
On setting a new track and conference record:
"I hadn't really thought about it until the last fifteen meters, so I decided to kick it in. It's probably not going to stand for very long. It wasn't my objective or I would have run a lot harder."
MEN'S STEEPLECHASE
Steve Slattery -- Colorado
On if Colorado feels pressure to continue dominance of long distance races:
"There is a lot of pressure that we put on each other. We want to come here, put on a good show and show what we've worked for all season. If I lost today, I would have live it down with my roommates."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I feel pretty good. I didn't run a real fast time today, but I know I'm in good shape. I know that I'm ready to run fast at nationals."
WOMEN'S 1500M
Amy Mortimer -- Kansas State
On the final sprint of the race:
"I don't have a very good kick and I usually get kicked out at the end. I just kind of went for it and I was feeling really good at the time and I just got lucky."
On the NCAA Championships:
"This year I'm just trying to have fun with running. I'm just going to relax. I usually run better when I relax and don't worry about the outcome of the race."
MEN'S 1500M
Jorge Torres -- Colorado
On finally winning a Big 12 Champion:
"It's been along time coming. My freshman year I finished fourth and fifth, and I came here last year and got out kicked. This year I just wanted to come out and dominate the competition and run away."
On if he feels added pressure to win:
"No, I don't feel any pressure. I just do what I have to do. Records come and go. I'm just out there to compete and do the best I can do."
MEN'S HIGH JUMP
Joey Brunkhorst -- Iowa State
On winning the Big 12 Championship:
"It feels great. I've seen all the great high jumpers win this before. It feels good to be a champion myself now."
On the NCAA Championships:
"We'll just have to wait and see how I do. Hopefully I'll PR down there. I'm still looking to do 7-4.50, so we'll see if I can do it."
WOMEN'S 100M HURDLES
Hannah Cooper -- Colorado
On becoming a Big 12 Champion:
"It feels great. It's the first time I've been a Big 12 Champion and I'm just relishing in my victory right now."
On the NCAA Championships:
"With the hurdles it's like an any given Sunday type thing. The object is to go to the meet and stay composed and stay with what you've been doing. I just run fast and don't do anything different. That's track."
MEN'S 110M HURDLES
Jermaine Cooper -- Texas
On if he felt he was pushed during the race:
"I didn't feel like I was pushed but I wanted to run against Chris Pinnock. He's a good runner and we became good friends during the year."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I feel real good. I'm confident. They ran good times last year but there's always someone there to step up. They got to want it, that's all I can say."
WOMEN'S 400M DASH
Naleya Downer -- Texas
On winning the Big 12 Championship:
"It feels good but, I feel much better that I can contribute ten point for my team with the victory."
On the NCAA Championships:
"First of all I have to get past the first round. Then when I get to the finals, we'll see what will happen."
MEN'S 400M DASH
Darold Williamson -- Baylor
On the level of talent in the Big 12:
"I'm always nervous when I run. I know that if I run smart, I'll run the perfect race and be all right. That wasn't my best race, but I'll have to accept it."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I'm excited, and hopefully I'll do better in Louisiana."
WOMEN'S 100M DASH
Aleah Williams -- Texas
On winning two events at this year's Big 12 Championships:
"It's really good because it got twenty points for our team. I ran my season best thus far and I just did my best."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I feel really good about that. That is something I have to work on and I'm continuing that with every race I run and I feel good."
MEN'S 100M DASH
Terence Newman (Kansas State)
On his second consecutive 100 meter championships:
"It feels pretty good. The second one was more of a surprise because there was more competition. It was a shock to me."
On the NCAA Championships:
"It will be a lot better than last year. Last year was my first time and this year I have more experience and I know what to look for. I want to make the finals and be an All-American.
WOMEN'S 800M RUN
Lenka Kalabova (Iowa State)
On the close finish:
"I didn't know that she was closing in at the end. I knew I had to keep going because she might be close, and sure enough she was close. It's good that the race is only 800 meters or I would have lost."
On being a Big 12 Champion:
"It feels really good to get it at the end of my last season in my last race."
MEN'S 800M RUN
Jonathan Johnson- Texas Tech
On the close finish to the race:
"I took the race out slower than I usually do. It was kind of windy on the back stretch, I kept at a steady pace and when somebody challenged me, that's when I made my move."
On becoming a Big 12 Champion:
"If feels good. I've watched it on TV since I was a kid, but never thought I'd be here. I hope to be back in the same spot the next three years."
WOMEN'S 400M HURDLES
Raasin McIntosh -- Texas
On the pace of the race:
"What I did was try to get ten points for the team. I didn't look at the time. About fifteen meters from the line, I just picked it up. On any given day, anybody can win. It's who has the most heart that day."
On the NCAA Championships:
"It can go either way. This year I've dropped my time and I know that there is a lot of competition out there. I feel that I am good enough to stay with them. It's going to come down the wire. I believe in myself. It's a matter of getting my technique down and focusing on what I need to do."
MEN'S 400M HURDLES
Michael Smith -- Baylor
On the end of the race:
"I wasn't worried at 200 when he had me, but coming of f the last hurdle, I wasn't sure how far he was, but I had the b kick out of anybody and I barely pulled it out.
On being a Big 12 Champion:
"I doesn't feel that good. I ran a faster time my freshman year an now I'm a senior, I've done 49.6 on this track. I'm happy with the win. Hopefully I'll peak out at nationals."
WOMEN'S 200M DASH
Tiffany Green - Texas Tech
On the finish to the race:
"I felt her coming on at the end. I wasn't sure if I got first or second because all I did was lean."
On how she felt after hearing she had won the race:
"I went from first to third in the 100, so I was upset before. I was just praying that the 200 would be better. It was a photo finish, so I was very nervous. When I found out I was first, it felt like a big weight off by shoulders."
MEN'S 200M DASH
Leo Bookman -- Kansas
On winning the Big 12 Championship:
"It feels pretty good, I wish my time was better. But a win is a win and I'm happy about that."
On his outlook for next season:
"Next year, I'll get off of spring football sooner and I'll be able to condition more. If I get on the track earlier then I will feel better."
WOMEN'S 5,000M RUN
Sara Gorton (Colorado)
On the pace of the race:
"I knew I was tired because I had run the 1500 previously. I took it out a little easy and stay back awhile. I knew that some of the girls were fresh and if I wanted to win I would have to pull away before a lap to go. I took it with about 200 meters and ran scared the rest of the race and finish as strong as I could. Overall it worked out well."
On the NCAA Tournament:
"I'm feeling really great. This is probably the best double I've had in a while. The Championships will be real good for me."
MEN'S 5,000M RUN
Dathan Ritzenhein (Colorado)
On the dominance of the Colorado long distance runners:
"We have a really good conference and that shows how good we really are. There are so many good runners out there. To be able to dominate in the Big 12 level is really impressive."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I have to go into every race trying to win it. That's what I'll be doing down at Baton Rouge. Hopefully everything will fall into place. And working together, me and Jorge, can bring it home finally."
WOMEN'S 4X400 RELAY
Moushaum Robinson -- Texas
On winning the Big 12 Championship:
"It feels really good. We came out, it was our last event and we were all feeling a little fatigued. This point in the meet, sometimes you just run for pride. No matter how tired we were, we just put that behind us."
On the NCAA Championships:
"I think we have a good chance of going there and scoring some points and placing high. Everyone is real determined to get to the next level."
MEN'S 4X400 RELAY
Darold Williamson -- Baylor
On the final leg of the relay:
"I felt good out there. I was in the front, so I just wanted to run a good leg and come out on top and get a win."
On the NCAA Championships:
"This gives us a lot of confidence. This is good for our team. We just have to make it there. We have to have the drive and come out there and have a good race."