Best Of The Mixed Zone: NCAA Champs Edition
Best Of The Mixed Zone: NCAA Champs Edition
Here are some of the best moments from the mixed zone at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
The mixed zone at the NCAA Championships spanned the gamut of emotions. There were tears, shock, celebrations and even some signing. You can check out the whole archive of interviews here. For this post, I highlighted a few of my favorites.
“I didn’t know he was….he was coming on the inside….I just realized that….I could have blocked him off.”
Michigan State’s Justine Kiprotich when he remembered that Yared Nuguse passed him on the inside to win the 1500m by .003 seconds.
“I told y’all, 10.7.”
Kayla White of North Carolina A&T flexing her powers of prognostication. Before the meet, she said it would take a world lead to win the women’s 100m. But then White went a step further, offering up a 10.8 or 10.7 as a winning time. It seemed ambitious, but Sha’Carri Richardson of LSU ran it into existence with a collegiate record of 10.75.
“My dad called me he’s like just don’t fall, just don’t fall. Remember Secretariat, just don’t fall.”
Heptathlete Ashtin Zamzow recalling her father’s advice before the final event of the competition. After a big throw in the javelin, Zamzow took a 60 point lead into the 800m. She didn’t fall and won her first national title.
“My coach was like, you just tied the score and I was like, thank goodness, that hurt so bad, I’m glad it was worth it.”
Taylor Werner of Arkansas after she placed second in the women’s 5000m. The eight points tied the score with USC entering the final event—setting the stage for a dramatic women’s 4x400m relay.
“Right now? I could try but I’m going to be a little tired.”
Kentucky’s Chloe Abbott when asked to give a sample of her vocal ability after she took second in the 400m. Abbott is an accomplished singer--here she is singing the national anthem before a Kentucky basketball game in January.
“Let’s see how it goes, you might see me next year too.”
Texas Tech’s Divine Oduduru when asked if he’d return for his senior season. After a 9.86/19.73 double he will certainly garner plenty of professional interest.
