University of Minnesota Athletics
2011 Roy Griak Winners' Quotes
9/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Sept. 24, 2011
Women’s D-III Winner Christy Cazzola (UW-Oshkosh)
Chirsty Cazzola on the race outcome:
“ I went out hard and I wanted to get in a good position. I was leading the way a little bit of the race, then a girl from another school was leading the race and increased the pace. I just tried to hang on, then I finally commited that I was going to catch her, so I worked and worked and worked then I finally did catch her, to come in first.”
Chirsty on last year running the Griak:
“ Last year was my first running the Griak course I was healthy last year but right now I have little bit of the hamstring pull and I had that going into the race. I had to put that aside and had to speed on, so I told myself that my leg was protected. Last year I was a first timer, first timer races are always interesting and you get to fly by the seat of your pants. So when you come back the next year you want to do better and continue to do better if I ever come back to the Griak.”
Women’s D-II Winner Courtney Shaw (Unnattached)
Courtney Shaw on running the Griak:
“ I haven’t really raced since last April because I had got injured. I had four stress fractures and I did not run all summer. I didn’t start running until a month and half ago, so I came in here not knowing what to expect and top 20 was my goal. I felt good the whole race and started to take off.”
Courtney on unofficially breaking the meet record:
“ I wasn’t even planning on that but it feels really good actually I didn’t even know I was even close to the record time.”
Women’s D-II Second Place Obise Birru (Grand View)
Obise Birru on her overall performance at the Griak:
“It was a great day to race I felt good today, this is my eighth and last year here at the Griak, so Im really happy but sad.”
Obise on her progression from year to year:
“Today I felt like I ran a very smart race, just staying with the lead pack and being patient. After every year there has been a progression at this meet because it is a big field. It’s really important to stay in the pack and to stay conservative instead off breaking off and dying in the end.”
Men’s D-III First Place Devin Monson (Hamline)
Devin Monson on extending the lead:
“One thing that we really work on is being even pace and under control through the first half. I was making sure that I wasn’t getting out of breath or anything. We had a little bit of pushing and shoving. I was making sure that under control and no heavy breathing and I wanted to make sure that I got through the 4K, so that when I decided to pick it up as the same time last year. No side cramp this year so I was able to keep going.”
Devin Monson on course strategies:
“For me I like to be out in the beginning and I probably never left the top ten but I just like being there because you don’t have to worry about people shoving. Then you notice a lot of parts where you don’t notice a drop. We had a spill with one of the guys in the lead earlier and just being there, not having to worry about anyone else. The people that are normally in the front are more control runners and you don’t have sporadic things.”
Men’s D-II First Place Stanley Kebenein (Iowa Central)
Stanley on winning the race:
“Actually that wasn’t my plan in getting the lead and never looking back and my plan was just to try my best. I just came from a half marathon but I am proud and happy about what I did.”
Stanley on the course:
“This is the fastest course that I ever ran in my life. It’s really hard there are a lot of hills. My back is really hurting but I kept on feeling better and better as the race went on but this is a difficult course.
Men’s D-I First Place Lawi Lalang (Arizona)
On breaking the course record:
“I think it is nice for me and it’s a nice stat. I did some nice things and was prepared.”
On expectation going forward:
“My expectations are to maintain my shape and get ready for the NCAA Championships Round and being in first place it would be nice.”
Women’s D-I First Place Deborah Maier (California)
On running the Griak:
“It was really good I was surprised in how comfortable it felt. I kinda felt like a hard run, but I was surprised to be running away from the field I expected to have someone right there. I realized was pre-fit and ready to go.
On expectation coming into the Griak:
“ I was actually injured all of indoor and outdoor season because I had a stress fracture, so this is my first real race in ten months since cross country nationals. I was a little bit unsure but at the same time I work out really hard. I wasn’t sure if I could win because there are a lot of talented ladies but I was really happy with the win.”
