Meet Quotes
March 1, 2008
Kansas Head Coach Stanley Redwine:
On Egor Agafonov winning the men’s weight throw on his final attempt:
“I was saying to (graduate assistant coach) Janiece (Gatson) before his last throw that I had never seen Egor lose before. That was one of the best weight throw competitions that I hope I never see again.”
On the men’s team’s performance:
“They all did their very best. We’re not happy with the placing, but we did have to individual champions in Egor Agafonov and Jordan Scott. They are outstanding men who can do the same at the NCAA’s. The way Jordan won was phenomenal and the way Egor won was phenomenal. They really stepped up and showed some pride.”
On the women’s team’s performance:
“They competed well and were on a mission. I think they did as we expected. At our staff meeting we thought they could get 95 points and they had 93. Some didn’t do as well as expected, but then some did better than expected. They really stepped it up and that is a total team effort.”
Big 12 Men’s Weight Throw Champion Egor Agafonov:
On being a three-time Big 12 Indoor Champion:
“I’m happy that I won. It was a tough competition for me. The guys from Missouri are really good. The first time I won, I didn’t know how important it was, but now it’s important for me, my team and my coach. There is so much more pressure when you are the defending champion.”
On his final attempt:
“I was just trying to throw as far as I could. I had nothing to lose.”
On his Missouri opponents finishing in second, third, fourth and fifth:
“I like all of the guys from Missouri a lot. Chris (Rohr) is awesome. He has improved a lot.”
Kansas Throws Coach Andy Kokhanovsky:
On his advice to Egor before his final throw:
“I told him to relax and not worry about the throw or the distance, but to just concentrate on his motions.”
On Egor’s career:
“It has been a great experience. He has made great strides every year. This is a great accomplishment (to win three straight indoor titles.) The Big 12 is one of the toughest conferences.”
Big 12 Women’s Pole Vault Champion Kate Sultanova
On today’s performance:
“It wasn’t a good day for me, but it’s good to win. I was out of energy and I jumped in the third attempt so I was a little bit nervous about it.”
On clearing her final height:
“I felt good about my last jump. I’m just happy about winning so that I can help the team get points.”
Big 12 Men’s Pole Vault Champion Jordan Scott
On his performance:
“I though jumped well. The competition was good and I feel good, but I don’t want to stop there.”
On teammate Kirk Cooper:
“He has done great. He has been over 17 feet at more than several meets. We are all pretty supportive of each other.”
Vertical Jumps Coach Tom Hays
On sweeping the pole vault championships for the second straight year:
“We are lucky to have two very talented athletes. They are the ones that show up everyday and do the little things. They win these events in the fall with their work ethic to match their talent.”
On Kate Sultanova:
“Kate was a bit sluggish and fatigued, but she was a workhorse through the whole meet. She put in a lot of hard work and fought through it. She came through. When the bar is up, you either have to make it or come in second and she made it.”
Big 12 Women’s Long Jump and Triple Jump Champion Crystal Manning
On what her preparation was going in to the long jump:
“Basically staying aggressive and setting goals for myself coming into this meet in the long jump. I came in saying I wanted to win and I won. I stayed positive and didn’t let negative thoughts run through my mind.”
On her winning long jump:
“It felt pretty good. Coach (Wayne Pate) told me not to add anything or do anything more than I normally do. He said that if I do what I’ve been doing, I’ll be fine.”
On winning two Big 12 titles:
“I wanted to win both. I just went in to each event thinking positive.”
On whether she was nervous after two fouls in her first two triple jumps:
“I was a little nervous. Last year I didn’t qualify for the finals because I had two fouls and I didn’t want that to happen again. I entered the finals in third and I knew I could do better. I had better previous jumps. I knew I could jump further and win.”
Horizontal Jumps Coach Wayne Pate
On Manning’s two conference titles:
“She came to compete and competed well. Once she got over her nerves she did great. She’s a great competitor.”
On the Manning’s career:
“I have to give a lot of credit to (former horizontal jumps coach) Milan Donley. He laid the foundation. He bought the land, laid a foundation and built the house. All I did was paint a few rooms.”
Big 12 60-Meter Dash Champion Nickesha Anderson:
On her 60 meters championship race:
“I wasn’t surprised. I had a good start. I knew I could win. It doesn’t matter what you do the day before (in the prelims). You still have to get on the line and do the same thing over again. What happened before that doesn’t matter.”
On placing third in the 200-meter dash
“I wish I was in the fast heat. I think I could have done better. But I will get to see them in the nationals.”
Kansas Sprints Coach Elisha Brewer
On Nickesha Anderson’s Big 12 title in the 60-meter dash:
“Nickesha is one who will step up when she is asked to. She knows how to get it done. When there is more pressure on her, she finds a way to get it done.”
On Anderson winning the 60 meters against such tough competition:
“On paper, she was probably not supposed to win this (60 meters) race. She has done an excellent job of not paying attention to the others’ times. I have noticed that, in the finals, she really brings it. The finals are where she really steps up.”
Kansas Shot Put Record Holder Stephanie Horton
On her record-breaking toss:
“I can’t really explain the feeling. It was just amazing. Everyone in our group really brought it and after each round they kept bringing it and bringing it.”
On the competition:
“It was intense. It was some of the best competition that I have ever seen.”
