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TRACK & FIELD: Day 5 Pan Am Games Recap WITH AGATE
by Todd Bell - U.S. Olympic Committee ()
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 9, 2003

U.S. WINS FOUR GOLD MEDALS ON FINAL NIGHT OF TRACK & FIELD

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The United States closed out the final night of track and field competition in the Pan American Games by earning four gold medals highlighted by running the fastest men’s 4x100 relay in the world this season Saturday at Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Stadium.

The United States 4x100 relay of Mickey Grimes (Ontario, Calif.), Jason Smoots (Durham, N.C), Kenny Brokenburr (Raleigh, N.C.) and Olan Coleman (Waco, Texas) was clocked in 38.27 seconds topping the previous best of 38.42 by Italy at the Euro Cup in July.

The women’s 4x400 relay also posted the fastest time in America this year and second fastest time in the world of 3:26.40.

Earlier, the U.S. women won the 4x100 relay, to mark the first time since the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, Ind., that the U.S. men’s and women’s track teams swept the 4x100 relays.

The United States captured 10 medals Saturday to push their total to 35 for the five-day meet. The U.S. men earned 21 medals including seven gold. The U.S. women collected 14 medals including eight gold.

“We had a 10 a.m. team meeting this morning and put a goal to run the fastest time in the world,” said U.S. men’s head track coach Fred Harvey. “We posted signs all around the compound. Our kids were psyched and ready to go. We really saw a relay team tonight. These guys worked together.”

U.S. women’s track coach Monica Gary also had done preliminary homework to point the relay teams in the right direction.

“We found out that the U.S. women had not won the 4x400 relay since 1991 and had not won both relays since 1987. We shared that with our sprint coach and the ladies used it as a motivational tool,” said Gary. “I was really excited we were able to achieve our goals. “

The foursome of Me’Lisa Barber (Columbia, S.C.), Moushaumi Robinson (Columbus, Ohio), Julian Clay (Roswell, Ga.) and De’Hashia Trotter (Knoxville, Tenn.) enabled the U.S. to halt a string of two straight Pan Am 4x400 relay victories by Cuba dating back to 1995.

2000 Olympian Mel Muller (Simi Valley, Calif.) captured the women’s pole vault, soaring 14-5 ¼.

Adam Steele (Eden Prairie, Minn.) gave the U.S. a 15-meter lead in the men’s 4x400 relay with a 45.4 third leg but Jamaica’s Davian Clarke caught U.S. anchorman James Davis (Westminster, Colo.) at the finish line to give the Jamaicans their second straight Pan American gold medal in the event. Jamaica was timed in 3:01.81, while the U.S. was clocked in 3:01.87.

“I thought Mitch Potter (lead off leg) ran a little tentative at the start and then we weren’t running in a comfort zone the rest of the way, “added Harvey. “We had a thought process that we were going to run in front the entire way. I commend our team for giving it all they had.”

2000 Olympian Michael Stember (Stanford, Calif.) earned a silver medal in the men’s 1,500 (3:46.31), while 2003 NCAA outdoor champion Grant Robison (Mountain View, Calif.) was third in 3:46.68.

The United States also earned two medals in the men’s high jump with Jamie Nieto (Chula Vista, Calif.) finishing second in 7-5 ¾, while Terrance Woods (Abilene, Texas) was third at 7-3 ¼.

Larry Wade (Canoga Park, Calif.) appeared to have won the men’s110 hurdles in a photo finish in 13.34 seconds over Cuba’s Yunier Hernandez (13.35). But after the results were posted, officials reversed their decision, awarding the gold medal to Hernandez.

Harvey filed a protest and the decision was expected to be rendered Sunday morning by a four-member technical commission.

“They went back and looked at the photo and said we tied and he (Hernandez) won,” said Wade, who was ranked third in the world last year. “I found out about it about 15 minutes ago. The Cuban showed me the print out. We are going through the proper appeal process right now. I don’t know how it will turn out at this point but I always do my best to represent the country the best way I can. I have never had to do an appeal before."

DAY FIVE AUG. 9, 2003 PAN AMERICAN GAMES TRACK RESULTS

Men’s Triple Jump – 1. Yoandry Betanzo, Cuba, 56-7 ½ (17.26); 2. Jadel Gregorio, Brazil, 55-10 ½ (17.03); 3. Yoelvis Quesada, Cuba, 55-0 ¾ (16.78); 4. Allen Simms, USA (Greenbelt, Md./USC), 54-4 (16.56); 5. Aarik Wilson, USA (Fallon, Nev.), 53- 1 ¾ (16.20); 6. Ayata Joseph, Antigua & Barbuda, 52-9 ½ (16.09); 7. Dane Maglorie, St. Lucia, 52-2 ½ (15.91);8. Gregory Hughes, Barbados, 51-5 ¾ (15.69); 9. Brian Wellman, Bermuda, 50-2 ¾ (15.31); 10. Bernuad Shirley, Jamaica, 48-2 ¾ (14.70).

Women’s Pole Vault – 1. Mel Mueller, USA (Simi Valley, Calif.), 14-5 ¼ (4.40); 2. Carolina Torres, Chile, 14-1 ¼ (4.30); 3. Stephanie McCann, Canada, 13-9 ¼ (4.20); 4. Kellie Suttle, USA (Jonesboro, Ark.), 13-5 ¼ (4.10); 5. Katiuska Perez, Cuba, 13-5 ¼ (4.10); 6. Dana Ellis, Canada, 13-1 ½ (4.00); 7. Alejandra Meza, Mexico, 13-1 1/2 (4.00); 8. Denisse Orengo, Puerto Rico, 12-9 ½ (3.90); 9. Michelle Velez, Puerto Rico, 12-5 ½ (3.80); 10. Deborah Gyurcsek, Uruguay, 11-9 ¾ (3.60); 11. Cecilia Villar, Mexico, 11-9 3.4 (3.60)

Women’s 100 Hurdles – 1. Brigitte Foster, Jamaica, 12.67; 2. Perdita Felicien, Canada, 12.70; 3. Lacena Golding-Clarke, Jamaica, 12.79; 4. Michelle Perry, USA (Palmdale, Calif.)12.80; 5. Angela Whyte, Canada, 12.94; 6. Yaumara Neyra, Cuba, 12.95; 7. Nadine Faustin, Haiti, 12.95; 8. Anay Tejeda, Cuba, 13.20.

Men’s High Jump – 1. Germaine Mason, Jamaica, 7-8 (2.34); 2. Jaime Nieto, USA (Chula Vista, Calif.), 7-5 ¾ (2.28); 3. Terrance Woods, USA (Abliene, Texas), 7-3 ¼ (2.22); 4. Lisvanys Perez, Cuba, 7-2 ½ (2.20); 5. Fabricio Romero, Brazil, 7-2 ½ (2.20); 6. Jesse Lima, Brazil, 7-1 (2.16); 7. Henderson Dottin, Barbados, 7-1 (2.16); 8. Huguens Jean, Haiti, 7-1 (2.16); 9. Romel Lightbourne, Bahamas, 7-1 (2.16); 10. Alfredo Dez, Peru 13.75, (2.13).

Men’s 110 Hurdles – 1. Yunier Hernandez, Cuba, 13.35; 2. Larry Wade, USA (Canoga Park, Calif.), 13.35; 3. Marcio DeSouza, Brazil, 13.45; 4. Redelen Dos Santos, Brazil, 13.48; 5. Dudley Dorival, Haiti, 13.48; 6. Jackson Quinonez, Ecuador, 13.64; 7. Charles Allen, Canada, 13.66; 8. Josh Walker, USA (Stone Mountain, Ga.)

Men’s 1,500 – 1. Hudson DeSouza, Brazil, 3:45.72; 2. Michael Stember, USA (Stanford, Calif.), 3:46.31; 3. Grant Robison, USA (Mountain View, Calif.), 3:46.68; 4. Miguel Garcia, Venzuela, 3:47.31; 5. Juan Luis Barrios, Mexico, 3:47.67; 6. Fabiano Pecanha, Brazil, 3:48.26; 7. Javier Carriqueo, Argentina, 3:50.95; 8. Byron Piedra, Ecuador, 3:52.20; 9. Isidro Pimentel, Dominican Republic, 3:53.27

Women’s 4x100 Relay – 1. USA (Angela Williams, Ontario, Calif.; Consuella Moore, University Park, Pa.; Angela Daigle. Carson, Calif.; Lauryn Williams, Miami, Fla.), 43.06; 2. Cuba, 43.40;3. Jamaica, 43.71; 4. Trinidad & Tobago, 43.97; 5. Colombia, 45.13; 6. Dominican Republic, 45.76.

Men’s 4x100 Relay – 1. USA (Mickey Grimes, Ontario, Calif.; Jason Smoots, Durham, N.C.; Kenny Brokenburr, Raleigh, N.C.; Olan Coleman, Waco, Texas) 38.27; 2. Brazil, 38.44; 3. Trinidad & Tobago, 38.53; 4. Jamaica, 39.08; 5. Cuba, 39.09; 6. Netherlands Antilles, 39.19; 7. 7. Bahamas, 39.72; 8. Saint Kitts & Nevis, 40.37.

Women’s 4x400 Relay – 1. USA (Me’Lisa Barber, Columbia, S.C.; Moushaumi Robinson, Columbus, Ohio; Julian Clay, Roswell, Ga.;De’Hashia Trotter (Knoxville, Tenn.) 3:26.40; 2. Jamaica 3:27.34; 3. Brazil, 3:28.07; 4. Mexico, 3:28.23; 5. Cuba, 3:28.79; 6. Puerto Rico, 3:32.28; 7. Colombia, 3:37.79; 8. Dominican Republic, 3:38.48.

Men’s 4x400 Relay – 1. Jamaica (Michael Campbell, Sanjay Ayre, Lansford Spence,Davian Clarke) 3:01.81; 2. USA (Mitch Potter, Minneapolis, Minn.; Ja’Warren Hooker, Seattle, Wash.; Adam Steele, Eden Prairie, Minn.; James Davis, Westminster, Colo.) 3:01.87; 3. Dominican Republic (Arismendy Peguero, Carlos Santa, Julio Vidal, Felix Sanchez) 3:02.02; 4. Trinidad & Tobago (Jacey Harper, Sherridan Kirk, Jamil James, Damion Barry), 3:05.28; 5. Bahamas (Andre Williams, Dennis Darling, Timothy Munnings, Nathaniel McKinney), 3:05.50.6. Cuba (Glauder Garzon, Sergio Hierrezuelo, Alianny Echevarria, Yerman Lopez) 3:06.27; 7. Venezuela (Johnathan Palma, Simoncito Silvera, Luis Luna, William Hernandez) 3:06.52; 8; Grenada (Bruce Swan, Sheldon Noel, Shane Charles, Alleyne Francique) 3:09.50; 9. Ecuador (Cristian Gutierrez, Andres Gallegos, Luis Moran, Cristian Matute) 3:21.42.

TRACK & FIELD: Pan Am Games Day 5 Quotes

by Todd Bell - U.S. Olympic Committee ()

Pan American Games, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Day 5 Track & Field Quotes
August 9, 2003

Men’s Triple Jump Final
Allen Simms, Greenbelt, Md., 4th place, 54-4 (16.56 meters)
“ I felt great. I’m in shape and I’ve been training well but I started bad and had to catch up. The wind was acting up big time. There was a big headwind. I’m a lighter jumper so it really affected me.”

“This was a great experience. It was my first international meet and I’m looking forward to more of them.”

Aarik Wilson, Fallon, Nev., 5th place, 53-1.75 (16.20 meters)
“ I felt fine. I just didn’t jump well. It threw me off at first but I turned it around in the final round. I just couldn’t put one together.”

“This was my first trip out of the country and it was a great experience. It was a lot of fun up until tonight. I learned a lot and I got to see some people I’ll be competing against in the future.”

Women’s Pole Vault Final
Mel Mueller, Simi Valley, Calif., Gold Medal and Pan Am Games Record, 14-5.25 (4.40 meters)
“ That actually was an average performance for me. But winning the Gold and setting a Pan Am record is great. It was hot and humid but that meant there was no problem staying warm.”

“I thought it was a good meet. The Dominican Republic did an awesome job putting it on.”

Kellie Suttle, Jonesboro, Ark., 4th place, 13-5.5 (4.10)
“ I had runway issues. Warm-ups went good and I was ready to go but I waited too long to fix the problem. My run was inconsistent.”

Women’s 100 meter Hurdles Final
Michelle Perry, Palmdale, Calif., 4th place, 12.80
“ I had a good race but got out late at the start. The rest of the race felt really good so if I had a better start, who knows, it would have been great. The humidity is really different here. Its really thick, so its easy to get dehydrated.”

Men’s 110 meter Hurdles Final
Larry Wade (Canoga Park, Calif.) Silver medal, 13.35
On the reversal of the results that moved him from first place to second place
“ They went back and looked at the picture and said we tied and he won. I found out about it about 15 minutes ago. The Cuban (Yunier Hernandez, Gold medalist) showed me the printout. We’re going through the proper appeal process right now. I don’t know how it will turn out at this point but I always do my best to represent the country the best way I can. I’ve never had to do an appeal before.”

Josh Walker, Stone Mountain, Ga., 8th place, 13.75
“ I felt great coming out of the gate, but I kind of cramped up in the blocks, but I can’t complain. I came out here and competed hard.”

“The track season has been long, physically and mentally. After running the whole collegiate indoor season, my body is just really tired.”

“I’m not going to worlds. I’m just going to get ready for the fall.”

Men’s High Jump Final
Jamie Nieto, Chula Vista, Calif., Silver medal, 7-5.75 (2.28)
“ I was a little upset with my series at 2.28 meters. I should have cleared it on my first jump. I’m blessed that I jumped well though and am happy with a silver. I jumped well considering I flew here from Stockholm on Wednesday.”

Terrance Woods, Abilene, Texas, Bronze medal, 7-3.25 (2.22)
“ I’m happy with third. This was my first big international meet and my first big international medal. I’m a little disappointed that I won’t be going to worlds now. I’m just going to go back home and start training for next year in both the high and triple jump.”

Men’s 1,500 meter Final
Michael Stember, Stanford, Calif., Silver medal, 3:45.72
“ I knew it was going to be a war between us (Brazil’s Hudson de Souza, Gold medalist). I really expected someone to take it earlier than that. I was just keeping pace and keeping my energy. I was waiting for someone to take it and then he really got a jump. I waited a bit too long and paid the price there with that hesitation.

It (the pace of the race) did start slow. Its really tough to predict how slow a start will be. That was almost the pace of the 5000 (meters). The only thing you can predict is that it comes down to the last lap and you want to be in position.

It’s a breakout win for him (the Brazilian who won the event – get name). I’m happy for him and wish him well. We met at the last Pan Am’s in Winnipeg and I beat him, we met at Junior Pan Am’s when I was 16 and he was 19. Tonight was round three and I’m looking forward to round four which will probably be at the Olympic Games.”

Grant Robison, Mountain View, Calif., Bronze medal, 3:46.68
“ The first couple of laps were comfortable. I know I can kick with anyone, but I guess I moved too late. He (Brazil’s Hudson de Souza gold medalist) got the jump on me and that was it.”

Women’s 4x100 Relay Finals
USA Gold medal, 43.06
First Leg: Angela Williams, Ontario, Calif., Women’s 100 meter Silver medalist
“ It was a long gun. It made my start slow. Usually I can pick some people up on the curve but I couldn’t. I lost some of my focus. I was able to hold on enough and the team took over from there. We were confident we could come together and win. The men had been telling us the history our relay not winning. Plus, I was on the ’99 team that didn’t win. We just said we were gonna do it and that everybody could handle it.”

Second Leg: Consuella Moore, University Park, Pa.,
“ We all had the same goal: to run the best race and that’s what we did.

“The hand off was good. We played it safe. We didn’t have a lot of practices together, so it was good to play it safe. We practiced kind of sporadically. We traveled to different meets together. But all of us as a whole, the first time, down here. “

“It’s a pretty fast track. It gives you enough, a nice bounce back. It’s a great track to compete on.”

Third Leg: Angela Daigle, Carson, Calif.
“ We came out here, we had something we wanted to do and we got together as a team and we got it done. A couple of us are going to Europe and get ready for the world championships. “

“It was kind of tough at first. Being in lane one it was really hard to judge where we were. I kind of had a bad hand off and had to slow down. The chemistry was a little off, but we stuck together as a team and that’s how you get things done.”

Fourth Leg: Lauryn Williams, Miami, Fla., Women’s 100 meter Gold medalist
“ This was a team effort all the way. I was nervous when I got the baton. I got it pretty much even with the Cuban. I wanted to leave on the mark and just think ‘catch me if you can’. We sucked it up and did it. I feel so good about winning and representing the United States.”

Men’s 4x100 Relay Final
USA Gold Medal, 38.27, Fastest time in the world this year
First Leg: Mickey Grimes, Ontario, Calif., Men’s 100 meter Gold medalist
“ I wanted to make sure the young guys came away with a medal, since I had already won one in the 100 meters. I promise them I would run a fast first leg and I am thankful I came through.”

“I am ready to head back home a get a few days of training and then I am headed to the worlds.”

Second Leg: Jason Smoots, Durham, N.C.
“ Mickey got out to a great start and we had a smooth handoff, I got out quick, passed a few guys and put us up. I’m real happy with it.”

“This puts me in a positive mindset for next year. I just changed coaches—now I’m with Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones with Coach Dan —I’ve only been there for three weeks, so this helps and gets me feeling great for next year and Trials.”

Third Leg: Kenny Brokenburr, Raleigh, N.C., Men’s 200 meter Gold medalist
“ I told everyone to just concentrate and try to stay in your zone on each leg. I told the guys to handle the stick and we just took care of business. I believe we could of run faster, but like I said we just needed to made it happen.”

“This is just another stepping stone for me, I am planning to keep on stepping as it comes. Hopefully, I will be selected to run in the relay at worlds.”

Fourth Leg: Olan Coleman, Waco, Texas
“ This was a great race for my teammates, and a great race for myself. They put me in a great position to bring it home to get the gold.”

“I think this (win) helps me a lot. My name hasn’t been out there much since I was a football player, so this should put me in the pool for relays next year.”

USA Head Men’s Coach Fred Harvey
At our 10 a.m. team meeting we sat down and put our goal at running the fastest time in the world. We posted that all around the compound. They were psyched and ready to do that. We saw a real team tonight. These guys worked together at place or another for a month.

Women’s 4x400 Relay Final
USA, Gold Medal, 3:26.41, Fastest time in the U.S. this year
First Leg: Me’Lisa Barber, Columbia, S.C.
“ I wanted to get a good 200 in because with the wind I knew I needed to be out fast. I wanted to get my team the lead, and that was my plan.”

“I’m very excited—we haven’t won gold here since 1991, so this is special. It’s been a great experience here in the Dominican Republic.”

Second Leg: Moshaumi Robison, Columbus, Ohio
“ This [American record] lets us know that we’re ready for worlds. The American record, and the US hasn’t won gold here since 1987. We came in knowing we’d get it.”

Third Leg: Julian Clay, Roswell, Ga.
“ When the baton does not touch the ground, everything is great. I wasn’t sure what was going on behind me but I was able to hand it off with the lead so that was good. I felt comfortable. I’ve been here 10 days and have gotten used to the weather.”

Fourth Leg: De’Hashia Trotter, Knoxville, Tenn.
“ My goal was to maintain the lead we had, maybe increase it and get to the line first. Me’Lisa (Barber) did a great job of getting us out there to start, especially since she had to run yesterday. This is a great thrill for me. I’m so excited to be a part of a great group representing the United States.

Men’s 4x400 Relay
USA, Silver medal, 3:01.87
First Leg: Mitch Potter, Minneapolis, Minn. Men’s 400 meter Gold medalist
“ I let the Jamaican go out because I didn’t think he could hold it (the lead) and that’s what happened. But every single one of us did what we should not have done. We all ran slow. Each of our splits was terrible. I’ve run faster during the indoor season. (Jamaica) deserves it though.”

Second Leg: Ja’Warren Hooker, Seattle, Wash.
On Second leg: “It was a very tight race, a lot of pushing, but I want to just get established and put some distance between us. It should of been over after the 1st leg, but we just did not get it done.”

“USA is known for the relay and anything less than the gold medal is disappointing, that is why we came here, to win period.”

Third Leg: Adam Steele, Eden Prairie, Minn.
“ I just tried to go out hard, I challenged the guy, I passed him on the back stretch. I thought it was a good move. I ran the corner well. In the home stretch, I gave it all I had, and the Jamaican guy came by. But I gave the baton off in a competitive spot. The Jamaicans are tough. “

“I will be in Paris, as an alternate in the 4x4.”

“My experience here has been great. It’s my first national team. What a place to be, the fans are great, the village has been fun. I had a great time.”

Fourth Leg: James Davis, Westminster, Colo.
“ I thought we were running a decent race and I was just wanted to stay out front. The Jamaicans are strong quarter milers and they ran a great race. I don’t like running from behind, so I established a quick past at the start. If they are going to beat me they were going to have to come from behind.”

TRACK & FIELD: U.S. Runners Survive Marathon at Pan Am Games
by Todd Bell - U.S. Olympic Committee ()

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 9, 2003

U.S. RUNNERS SURVIVE MARATHON AT PAN AMERICAN GAMES

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – All four runners from the United States were able to survive the scorching heat of the streets of downtown Santo Domingo Saturday morning to finish the men’s and women’s marathon on the final day of track and field competition at the Pan American Games.

Chris Banks (Alexandria, Va.) was seventh in the men’s marathon in 2:29.37, while Jeff Campbell (Rochester, Mich.) was ninth in 2:35.43.

Brazil’s Vanderlei Lima won the men’s race that started at 6:20 a.m. (EST) in 2:19.08.
Nineteen runners started the race but six dropped out.

Stacie Alboucrcek (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) finished ninth in the women’s marathon in 2 hours 55 minutes 14 seconds. Kelly Flathers (Huntington Beach, Calif.) was tenth in 2:59.05.

Fifteen runners competed in the women’s marathon that started at 6 a.m. (EST).
Brazil’s Marcia Narloch captured the gold medal in 2:39.54.

Men’s Marathon Results – 1. Vanderlei Lima, Brazil, 2:19.08; 2. Bruce Deacon, Canada, 2:20.25; 3. Diego Colorado, Colombia, 2:21.48; 4. Aquelmis Rojas, Cuba, 2:23.18; 5. Francisco Bautista, Mexico, 2:25.50; 6. Pamenos Ballantyne, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, 2:28.21; 7. Chris Banks, USA (Alexandria, Va.), 2:29.37; 8. Leonso Jimenez, Colombia, 2:34.45; 9. Jeff Campbell, USA (Rochester, Mich.), 2:35.43; 10. Cristian Villavicencio, Nicaragua, 2:36.31; 11. Daniel Simbron, Argentina, 2:37.28; 12. Larryn Sanchez, Venezuela, 2:42.02; 13. Jose Paulino, Dominican Republic, 2:43.11

Women’s Marathon Results – 1. Marcia Narloch, Brazil, 2:39.54; 2. Mariela Gonzalez, Cuba, 2:42.55; 3. Erika Olivera, Chile, 2:44.52; 4. Iblandini, Colombia, 2:47.40; 5. Maria Guimaraes, Brazil, 2:51.58; 6. Maribel Burgos, Paraguay, 2:53.03; 7. Angelica Sanchez, Mexico, 2:53.56; 8. Emperatriz Wilson, Cuba, 2:54.16; 9. Stacie Alboucrcek, USA (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 2:55.14; 10. Kelly Flathers,USA (Huntington Beach, Calif.), 2:59.05; 11. Lourdes Cruz, Paraguay, 3:04.12; 12. Pascuala Beras, Dominican Republic, 3:04.47; 13. Adelaide Carrington, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, 3:55.02; Martha Tenorio, Ecuador; and Isabel Juarez, Mexico, did not finish.

QUOTES FROM U.S. ATHLETES
Chris Banks (Alexandria, Va.), eighth in men’s marathon (2:29.37):
“ Pollution was a problem, but everyone had to deal with it. I was pretty fit going into the race. The key was to be disciplined and even at the start because we knew the conditions would be brutal and unpredictable. Looking at the past history in the Pan American Games, I thought running around 2:20 would put you in contention for a medal.
“ I didn’t want to get out too quick. So Jeff (U.S. teammate Campbell) and ran together. We were right on pace through the first 16 miles. Then once we hit the 18-mile mark there were some tough hills and it started getting a little tougher.”

Jeff Campbell (Rochester, Mich.), tenth in men’s marathon (2:35.43):
“ I thought I had a good shot to medal. I was coming off a personal best (2:18.52) at the USA Championships and didn’t think I was going to run another race until I was invited to compete here. I felt like I was even in better shape than when I competed at the USA Championships.
“ Chris (U.S. teammate Banks) and I had the perfect plan and went out slow. I thought the leaders went out too fast and we were right in halfway through the race. But then I had a bad patch and started running at a seven-minute pace.
“ There were tons of turns. There were steep hills toward the end…It was really hot. I was definitely looking for water bottles every 2K. But right at the 16 ½ mile mark I got dizzy. I stopped for 2 ½ minutes. Then I started going but I had a problem around the 17-mile mark. An ambulance picked up a couple runners and even tried to pick me up. But I wanted to finish the race. I have never dropped out of a marathon before.”

Stacie Alboucrek (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), ninth in women’s marathon (2:55.14):
“ Coming from Florida, I was use to the heat but not the pollution. I wasn’t breathing well the whole race. I was sick before and on antibiotics so I have only been training for two months. But under these conditions I am happy with my performance. This was my first international experience and I was happy to be a part of it. I was motivated to finish the race.
“ I had no idea about my pace or the distance marks on the course. I wish I would have learned Spanish so I could ask people during the race.
“ This course reminded me of the Tour De France. There were a couple cars that came close to hitting me. They were coming in and going out.”

Kelly Flathers (Huntington Beach, Calif.), tenth in women’s marathon (2:59.05):
“ I came here to compete, gain confidence and run with pride in representing my country.
I came to Florida 10 days earlier to train for this race in this type of weather. The race was exactly what I expected. I was quite stubborn and determined.
“ The Dominican Republic race officials were very supportive during the race. I even had my own vehichle with an attendant right beside me.
“ This was the first time I had run on a U.S. national team. My next marathon will be next April at the Olympic Trials.

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