QUOTES FROM 2001 NCAA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS PRE-MEET PRESS CONFERENCE

Coach Vin Lananna From Stanford- Regarding his team's chances: "Both the men and women are well prepared. We are excited to be here and we have a good chance. The men are young but ready and the women have a good mix of athletes. We are ready to compete.

Regarding the American youth movement in Cross Country: " I am very optimistic about the young distance runners in America. There is a big movement for distance runners in America steadily improving in races such as the NCAA Cross Country Championships. As coaches we must nurture those runners so that they can maintain their high expectations with out burning out and so they may continue to run after college."

Regarding how he set's up the course for his runners: "Early position will be very important tomorrow, and we need to race the way we usually race."

Regarding the number of different individuals that could race tomorrow in Stanford's lineup: "We have lots of guys who could show up and race well tomorrow. I definitely feel confident with what we have going into the race."

Arkansas Coach John McDonnell-Regarding his team's chances: "We're pretty good, although we only have one returnee from last year, we are very young but talented and ready physically and mentally."

Regarding a lack of respect for his team prior to last year's championship: "We have gotten much more respect this year. We're anxious and excited to be here."

Regarding his race strategy for his team: "We cannot go out too fast. Four years ago when we raced here, we ran out of steam with about 400 yards to go, so we must be aggressive but also save some for the finish."

Brigham Young Coach Patrick Shane-Regarding his team's chances: "We don't think about winning. We concentrate on competing and running our race. We're prepared and ready. We definitely have a chnace tomorrow, led by Tara Northcutt, who is experience and very tough."

Colorado Coach Mark Wetmore-Regarding his team's top two runners competing against each other: Dathan and Jorge are best friends, they don't compete against each other, they compete for each other." Since Dathan arrived on campus, Jorge has taken him in as a little brother and they have really become tough."

Regarding the pressure his team faces after being ranked #1 all year long: "The only pressure we feel is our own self imposed pressure. The pressure from the poles or media doesn't affect us at all."

Regarding the American youth movement in Cross Country: "We've been hearing for a long time about the renaissance of American runners and as coaches we have a responsibility to not let that flame burn out for the young runners."

Colorado's Jorge Torres regarding the rivalry between himself and Colorado's #2 runner, Dathan Ritzenheim: "Dathan and I have no rivaly. He is easy to get along with and we work well together."

Regarding the critical aspects of the course: "The back loop, 4mile point and beyond is the really critical time in the race."

Regarding Individual and Team Goals: "The team championship is the #1 goal. I definitely want an individual championship but it will be tough because there are so many excellent runners here. I will just race hard and if it comes to a point where I need to choose between an individual or team championship then I will make the right decision to focus on the team title."

Michigan's Alan Webb regarding the transition from high school to college: "It has been an easy transition from high school. I find it really hard to believe that we are already here, it seems like yesterday we were at camp and now here we are ready to go."

Regarding not being the favorite in the race: "Being in that position wasn't really an issue because I do my own thing. I just want to continue to improve.

Regarding losing to Dathan Ritzenheim: "We're both doing cross country at 10,000 meters for the first time so it should be fun."

Regarding running the 10,000 meters for the first time in the regionals: "Well, I was 45 seconds slow, but I have prepared and I am stronger than every and ready to go."

Regarding differences in training from high school to college: "There haven't been any real changes in preparation. Everyone here is just tougher and faster with more intensity."

Regarding racing Dathan Ritzenheim of Colorado: "He's a competitor and I am excited to compete with him. I have exceeded my own goals this season and after a couple of races I really felt comfortable."

North Carolina's Shalane Flanagan-Regarding her outlook on the course considering she tied the course record in the regionals: "I love the end of the course because the hills are my strength and they help me separate from the pack."

Eastern Michigan's Boaz Cheboiywo-Regarding being the race favorite: "For sure, I have been ready and if all goes well tomorrow I will be the National Champion. Tomorrow will determine who will be the champ though and I cannot determine that, I want to run my own race. The pressure is there but I will run my race."

Regarding who from Kenya has helped him along the way: "My brother has been great for me. He gives me inspiration and a morale boost. Furthermore, I want everyone to know that I am not a professional, and I have never raced as a professional. I am a student and people should leave that alone."

Alabama's David Kimani-Regarding his preparation: "Everything is going well. No injuries this season like last season to slow me down, so I am confident and I will do my best."

Regarding his strategy for the race: "The 10K is a long way and we have to be prepared for the finish. The last 2K, my speed will not be a factor because of the hills, it will be tough on all of us."

Regarding racing against Boaz for the first time: "There is no secret, I just want to run my own race."

Colorado's Molly Austin regarding her continued inprovement: "I have gained confidence since the PreNationals that I can run with the lead group. Building on each race I have continued to gain confidence and I feel good about tomorrow."

Stanford's Lauren Fleshman-Regarding her goals for tomorrow: "The team is the #1 priority. By performing well, I help my team so that is my motivation, to do well and help out team."

Regarding her team's strategy: "We have a young but experienced team. There is no magic formula, we just want to reach our goals."

Washington's Sabrina Monroe-Regarding her foot injury: "I have an inflamed tendon in my foot, and it hurts badly but I can't do anything about it, so I will bite it and go with it."