University of Minnesota Athletics
NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships Day 3 Quotes
3/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
NCAA MEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
DAY 3 QUOTES
Larsen Jensen, USC, 1650-yard freestyle champion
On winning his second event of the championships:
“It’s good. I’m glad to get the 500 and the mile, and I’m happy with the placings in both.”
On narrowly missing the NCAA record:
“That’s the disappointing part of the race. Like I said, I’m happy with the end placing, but not so happy with the time. Eight one-hundreths off, how close can you get in the 1650 and not get the record. It’s a little depressing in that sense. I’m going to refocus, put this behind me and focus on some bigger things.”
Matt Grevers, Northwestern, 200-yard backstroke champion
On winning his first individual NCAA title:
“I was looking for one all meet, any one would do, and it happened to be the last day and my final individual event in my history of NCAA competition. It’s a great way to go out and I’m very happy about it.”
On being the first Northwestern swimmer to win the event since 1958:
“I think that’s what the Northwestern team is about this year. I think we’re breaking all sorts of historical records. It’s great to tally another one up on the board.”
Vlad Polyakov, Alabama, 200-yard breaststroke champion
On posting the third-fastest time ever:
“It feels really, really good. I wish Mike could have been in this final so we could both try for the record, but I am really happy with this time and extremely pleased about coming out a winner this year.”
On his DQ last year and Mike’s DQ this year:
“I know exactly how he feels about missing the final and not having a chance to win, but things happen and this is the way our sport is, especially with the new rule about the dolphin kick.”
On reclaiming his title after a one-year hiatus:
“I had a really tough year last year and had some issues with my shoulder and my back. I really wanted to come out strong my senior year. I am really happy with how it turned out.”
Patrick O’Neil, California, 200-yard butterfly champion
On getting back to the national title:
“It feels really good. I have been working hard for a long time and it feels nice.”
On claiming the first title for Cal in eleven years:
“It is great. Some of the younger guys I have been training with this year are really good and I think that they will be able to do really well in this event over the next few years.”
On St. Patrick’s Day luck:
Well, I guess there was some extra motivation (laugh). I am party Irish, so maybe there was a little “luck of the Irish” involved.
David Marsh, Head Coach, Auburn, Team title
On tying Coach Crocker for 12th all time:
This group here, the way they performed during this meet, was amazing. They are the third, fourth or fifth best team, but it is the best meet that we have ever had top to bottom. The captains of our team have pulled us through the hard times. When our beloved Coach Crocker passed away halfway through the season, it was those guys that were standing up during team meetings and keeping things stable.
On Auburn being the third-most winning team all time:
The thing that is unique about Auburn is that the entire community and region really embrace the team and the program. To me, the bigger part of this is that we had to come rebuild this program in 1990 and my passion was to instill the pride that our previous coaches had put in this team in the seventies. The coaching staff and the men and women, individually and collectively, were brilliant.
On a great overall performance:
Our team has made this year very special. I really just enjoy this team. There are so many great individuals, and I could go down story by story and tell you how they have gone from rags to riches, including all three of our captains. This group has a lot of depth that involves were they have come from and what they have gone through.
Steven Segerlin, Auburn, platform diving champion
On the team’s effort:
“It was a huge win for the team and I am really exciting about bringing home the team title. It is my fourth consecutive team title and fifth for Auburn and I could not have asked for more from this season.”
On winning two consecutive platform titles:
“It feels absolutely amazing, especially coming from Auburn where we have so many winners. I’m just proud to be up there sharing the award with them. Jeff Shaffer is an amazing coach, especially coming into the end of the year. He can really develop anyone into an NCAA-caliber diver.”
Cesar Cielo, Auburn, NCAA Division I Swimmer of the Year
On the team winning the title:
“I’m really excited about it and I’m so happy because we’ve been training so much and working so hard. Our thinking through the whole season was that the last championships didn’t mean anything and we had to concentrate solely on this year. Everyone dropped times today and yesterday and I’m really proud of my teammates.”
On being the first Auburn swimmer to win both the 50 and 100 freestyle:
“I’m really proud of myself. I’m really happy with my results. I was kind of impressed, even for me. I wasn’t expecting to go that fast. The good thing is I’m still a sophomore and I have two more years to go. Hopefully I’ll go faster next year.”
On head coach David Marsh:
“I think Marsh is a tremendous coach and we’re going to miss him so much. He’s probably the best coach in the country. I just want to thank all my coaches and teammates for pushing me along this year.”
DAY 3 QUOTES
Larsen Jensen, USC, 1650-yard freestyle champion
On winning his second event of the championships:
“It’s good. I’m glad to get the 500 and the mile, and I’m happy with the placings in both.”
On narrowly missing the NCAA record:
“That’s the disappointing part of the race. Like I said, I’m happy with the end placing, but not so happy with the time. Eight one-hundreths off, how close can you get in the 1650 and not get the record. It’s a little depressing in that sense. I’m going to refocus, put this behind me and focus on some bigger things.”
Matt Grevers, Northwestern, 200-yard backstroke champion
On winning his first individual NCAA title:
“I was looking for one all meet, any one would do, and it happened to be the last day and my final individual event in my history of NCAA competition. It’s a great way to go out and I’m very happy about it.”
On being the first Northwestern swimmer to win the event since 1958:
“I think that’s what the Northwestern team is about this year. I think we’re breaking all sorts of historical records. It’s great to tally another one up on the board.”
Vlad Polyakov, Alabama, 200-yard breaststroke champion
On posting the third-fastest time ever:
“It feels really, really good. I wish Mike could have been in this final so we could both try for the record, but I am really happy with this time and extremely pleased about coming out a winner this year.”
On his DQ last year and Mike’s DQ this year:
“I know exactly how he feels about missing the final and not having a chance to win, but things happen and this is the way our sport is, especially with the new rule about the dolphin kick.”
On reclaiming his title after a one-year hiatus:
“I had a really tough year last year and had some issues with my shoulder and my back. I really wanted to come out strong my senior year. I am really happy with how it turned out.”
Patrick O’Neil, California, 200-yard butterfly champion
On getting back to the national title:
“It feels really good. I have been working hard for a long time and it feels nice.”
On claiming the first title for Cal in eleven years:
“It is great. Some of the younger guys I have been training with this year are really good and I think that they will be able to do really well in this event over the next few years.”
On St. Patrick’s Day luck:
Well, I guess there was some extra motivation (laugh). I am party Irish, so maybe there was a little “luck of the Irish” involved.
David Marsh, Head Coach, Auburn, Team title
On tying Coach Crocker for 12th all time:
This group here, the way they performed during this meet, was amazing. They are the third, fourth or fifth best team, but it is the best meet that we have ever had top to bottom. The captains of our team have pulled us through the hard times. When our beloved Coach Crocker passed away halfway through the season, it was those guys that were standing up during team meetings and keeping things stable.
On Auburn being the third-most winning team all time:
The thing that is unique about Auburn is that the entire community and region really embrace the team and the program. To me, the bigger part of this is that we had to come rebuild this program in 1990 and my passion was to instill the pride that our previous coaches had put in this team in the seventies. The coaching staff and the men and women, individually and collectively, were brilliant.
On a great overall performance:
Our team has made this year very special. I really just enjoy this team. There are so many great individuals, and I could go down story by story and tell you how they have gone from rags to riches, including all three of our captains. This group has a lot of depth that involves were they have come from and what they have gone through.
Steven Segerlin, Auburn, platform diving champion
On the team’s effort:
“It was a huge win for the team and I am really exciting about bringing home the team title. It is my fourth consecutive team title and fifth for Auburn and I could not have asked for more from this season.”
On winning two consecutive platform titles:
“It feels absolutely amazing, especially coming from Auburn where we have so many winners. I’m just proud to be up there sharing the award with them. Jeff Shaffer is an amazing coach, especially coming into the end of the year. He can really develop anyone into an NCAA-caliber diver.”
Cesar Cielo, Auburn, NCAA Division I Swimmer of the Year
On the team winning the title:
“I’m really excited about it and I’m so happy because we’ve been training so much and working so hard. Our thinking through the whole season was that the last championships didn’t mean anything and we had to concentrate solely on this year. Everyone dropped times today and yesterday and I’m really proud of my teammates.”
On being the first Auburn swimmer to win both the 50 and 100 freestyle:
“I’m really proud of myself. I’m really happy with my results. I was kind of impressed, even for me. I wasn’t expecting to go that fast. The good thing is I’m still a sophomore and I have two more years to go. Hopefully I’ll go faster next year.”
On head coach David Marsh:
“I think Marsh is a tremendous coach and we’re going to miss him so much. He’s probably the best coach in the country. I just want to thank all my coaches and teammates for pushing me along this year.”
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