May 18, 2008
Recap |
Complete Results |
Notes
Chris Bucknam
Head Coach
Women's Coach of the Year, Men's Coach of the Year
On winning the program's first outdoor women's championship:
"I couldn't be happier for this women's program. It's come an awfully long way in the last four years. Last year we were close and the kids made that effort to get over the hump. I can't be more thrilled for them."
On UNI's group of seniors:
"This senior class is an extremely special group and I couldn't be more proud of what they've accomplished. It's something they'll remember for the rest of their lives."
On team's progression through the outdoor season:
"We battled a lot of adversity this spring. We could have folded our tent, and the women didn't and the men didn't. These performances speak for themselves in terms of the type of athletes we have and what UNI means to this kids."
On sweeping the men's and women's team titles:
"It was a highly-competitive meet and we answered the call. We answered the call when the chips were down on the last day and you can't ask for more than that. The first two days were phenomenal for our men and women, and that laid the groundwork. We had some hiccups today, but we were able to recover and win."
Dorian Ulrey
Sophomore
Champion - Men's 1,500 Meters
On the slower pace of Sunday's race:
"I just tried to run easy, no effort for the first three quarters of the race. With about 400 to go I saw Leydon (Tolhurst) from Drake and he was a little farther ahead than I thought he'd be, so I picked it up and it turned out well."
On how also running the 800 meters on Sunday changes his approach in the 1,500:
"Things went like I wanted them to go and I was able to take it easy and not expend a lot of energy or let this sun and heat start to get to me. It was good to get in a warm-up of sorts for the 800."
Amy Bagge
Senior
Champion - Women's 800 Meters
On her dramatic sprint to the lead over the final 200 meters:
"I knew I had a little left and usually I hold it back, but I thought I'd try something new and it worked out well to get a little more fight into my races."
On winning a conference championship:
"I never thought it was something I'd be able to accomplish, but it's certainly the best way to end my last conference meet."
On the importance of her win in the team race:
"I heard people cheering for the Southern Illinois runners in my heat, and that motivated me too, because I knew our team was hurting a little bit and needed all the points I could help them get."
Tyler Mulder
Junior
Champion - Men's 800 Meters
On his race strategy:
"I was going to tuck right in behind the leader but I got boxed in early and it opened up a little bit, so I just reeled him in. I didn't want to use too much energy, so I reeled him in slowly and put the burners on over the last 100 meters."
On sweeping The Valley's indoor and outdoor 800 titles:
"It's something I've always wanted to do. It feels good to do it this year, and makes me wish I was able to do it last year, too."
On placing five runners in the finals of the 800:
"It just proves we're a deep middle distance school and probably one of the best middle distance programs in the nation. I don't think any other team has eight guys who went 1:52.00 or faster (in the 800), and we might have even had more in the finals if we didn't have two of our 800 guys sitting home injured. It's great to have those guys push you hard and help get you better every time you go out."
Cory Goos
Sophomore
Champion - Men's 400-Meter Hurdles
On racing teammate Dennis Hammel to the line:
"It was a big race. I practice with the best in the conference every day, so I knew to expect a strong race and a fight to the finish."
On competing at full strength after battling injuries this spring:
"It feels good. The biggest thing was getting that regional mark, and it's a big boost of confidence from hitting that I can build on over the next couple of weeks before regionals. There will be two Panthers in the regional 400-meter hurdles, and that feels pretty good."
Terrance Reid
Senior
Champion - Men's 400 Meters
On his approach to the race:
"I just wanted to put myself in a position to win the race, I wasn't really worried about time. I just wanted to do my best to get the most points possible to help secure that team title for our guys."
On what he learned in Saturday's prelims:
"Running last night helped me gauge my competition and I just wanted to keep it comfortable through 300 meters and see how things were going."
On running the 200 meters, as well:
"It's kind of an extracurricular activity. I would have liked to win, but I'm definitely happy with third in that field. Improvement comes with running races, and I haven't had a lot of races in the 200 this spring."
On the impact of a strong team performance:
"I think this raises the morale because it's been such a tough outdoor season so far. It's good to get out here and have some good weather and show that we're a force to be reckoned with in this conference. This definitely is a good boost for morale heading into the regional meet."
