2003 Outdoor
PA Quotes @ The Penn Relays
April 24-26, 2003
Nicole Leach
Andrew Rademacher
Ian Fitzgerald
Angie Saterstad
Nicole Leach, West Catholic sophomore 2nd in 400 Hurdles, 1st American. 59.00.
On being a sophomore against more experienced upperclassmen:
I was so nervous before this race. I was thinking to myself that if I could only go back to last year and be sitting in the stands just watching this race. I was just so nervous I didn't know what to do. When I ran, I just ran with fear. I had confidence before this race, but the truth is now I know I'm ready for any race.
On the race:
All the hurdles were clean except for the first one. When I hit it, it reminded me of Nebraska last summer (Junior Olympics) when I fell, and I said to myself just call down, relax, and go over the hurdles nice and calm. At one point I was just flying and then I realized the pace was starting to pick up a little bit. So coming off the turn (turn 4) I saw the girl from Jamaica make her move, and then I saw that everybody was getting tired so I felt it was time for me to go.
On preparing for the race:
I said to myself last night that when I was coming down the straightaway I knew I was going to be tired so all I had to do was think about that gold watch. I was just thinking about that gold watch until I came across that finish line.
On the rest of her season:
I'm hoping I can hold those times or maybe get a bit faster the rest of this year. I don't want to drop off. That's the hardest part.
Andrew Rademacher, Hickory Junior
15-01.25, 1st
(Didn't do as well at NIC as he wanted. Started the season with a 13-9 on 4/5 before clearing 15-0 the week before Penn)
(Came in at 14-1 and cleared. Missed 1st at 14-7, made 2nd. Missed 1st at 15-1, made 2nd. Missed three at 15-7)
On getting over 15' after a slow start this spring:
I'm on track again. It was the weather that was holding me back. And I think I've improved a lot after a Vaulting camp at Arkansas where they changed my steps. I've shortened my run a lot, but I'm still running just as fast. So if I lengthen my run at States then I'll be on a bigger pole than I've ever been.
On his expectations for Penn Relays":
Coming in I wasn't so sure. I wasn't that confident because I haven't been over 15' all outdoor. I did 15' but I didn't do over that. So I lengthened my steps today near the end to 14 from 12 and I was able to get back up there. Now I know I can get back up there at 16'. And I was a little more confident coming into today once I knew that only Andrew Park and the New York guy (Rory Quiller James, O'Neill NY) were here.
On how the competition unfolded:
I was thinking about coming in at 14-6, but once I saw that it was raining, I lowered that. But I usually come in at 14-0. All my jumps today were OK, but at 15-7 I switched to a bigger pole on the 3rd attempt and just wasn't used to it. If I had jumped with it a couple of times I would have gotten used to it and maybe made it. My only adjustment was going to a smaller pole until the end, there.
On his season goal:
My goal for the year remains to get to 16' and then some. I'd like to get it at States or do well at Golden West if I get invited.
Ian Fitzgerald, North Hills Junior
2nd 8:30.16 3000(PR in 3200 is 9:34. Never ran the 3000 before Penn)
On his strategy and the race:
At the start of the race I didn't want to go out too fast, so when I saw the first time I wanted to make sure I didn't keep it up like that because I didn't want to die. I just wanted to stick with the pack and let Dalpiez take it out. I was single file for awhile and then I started moving toward the end. I was aiming for the top five, but I would have been happy with the top ten. So it ended up being an excellent day.
On States:
I'm undecided on which race I'll run at States, whether the 1600 or 3200. My mile PR is 4:17. Now that Sam Bair is hurt there's an opening.
Angie Saterstad, Hershey senior
3rd, 9:49.91 3000On the race:
It went out pretty fast, but I just stayed a little bit back and then worked my way up, exactly like my strategy. I actually wanted to go out in 5:20, like 78-80-second laps, but it went out a little faster. But that's alright because I had a good time. I was by myself for a little bit trying to push and catch the girls ahead of me. That was hard, but I worked for it. I was shooting for 9:50 so I'm really happy with 9:49.On her season goal:
I'd like to get down in the 10:30's this year at States (in the 3200).
On the quality performance of all the PA runners, all under 10:07:
(Emily Kruger, Lampeter-Strasburg 5th, Kylee Schuyler, Chambersburg 6th, Frances Koons, Allentown Central Catholic 7th)It's really awesome. I'm really happy that they're mostly from my district (D3), too. This is wonderful. We're all competitors, so we push each other through the year. States is going to be an exciting race, an all-out 'who wants it the most.'