Individual First Place Tara Chaplin, Arizona
On winning the race
It feels great. I have been running in this championship since my freshman year.
I am so happy for our team, I was even more excited that our team finished fourth.
On how she ran the race
The downhill is the strongest part of my race, so I was focused on catching
the leaders going down the hill. It is tough to stay focused and just realize
that I just had to get out there and run. I really pushed it down the hill because
I don't have the strength to run the run the uphills as fast as some of the
other girls. But I know I can run a downhill. That was the hardest I have ever
fought at the end of the race.
Individual Second Place Renee Metivier, Georgia Tech
On her preparation
I had been getting better every race this season. Last week prepared me a lot.
The ACC championships got me a glimpse of what I would see here. My coach had
been preparing me for this and giving me a lot of confidence in myself. Because
I had been progressing each meet, we saw that I had a chance. I wanted to be
in the top three and I saw myself in the top ten. I knew it would take a lot
of heart and a lot of guts to get up there and I wanted to be up there (top
ten).
Individual Third Place Lauren Fleshman, Stanford
On the Team Strategy
The team strategy was to get out hard and move our way up through the pack.
We wanted to run the race, doing what we could control, which is what place
we wanted to get and how we ran to get that place.
On her goals
I was aiming for first place or anywhere in the range. I am happy. I ran the
best I could on this day and that is what I try to do every time. On this day,
two people ran faster than I did. If I look sad, it is because I am disappointed
for my team because that was the number one priority out here.
Team First Place Coach Patrick Shane, BYU
On BYU's race
This was a great team race. This is what cross country is all about. Everyone
ran well today. To a girl, they all earned PR's (personal bests). There are
a lot of great teams out there and a lot of deserving teams and we feel honored
to have won here today. There were a lot of talented young women and not everyone
is able to have a great day every time out. We hadn't beaten every team this
year, but today we did and we feel blessed to have done so. I have to congratulate
and take my hat off to our athletes.
Team Second Place Coach Rollie Geiger, North Carolina State
On NC State's performace
We ran well up front. Kristen Price, Megan Coombs, and Katie Sabino were terrific.
The key for us today was that we ran well up front and Christy Nichols ran well
at No. 4 and we ran well enough at No. 5 to close the door for second. Finishing
in the top three was very important.