2017 FINA World Junior Championships Top Quotes: Day Five

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Check out quotes and audio interviews from athletes who posted impressive performances during the fifth day of the 2017 FINA World Junior Championships in Indianapolis.

“I’m just really freaking tired. I swam both U.S. Open and Juniors, went home for four days and came here. I would have loved to do what I was supposed to do for Team USA, and I didn’t do it. I’m definitely disappointed with that, but hopefully I have some more trips next year that I can get my crap together and swim well.” — Erica Sullivan (USA), after women’s 1500 free (fourth, 16:20.12)

“This morning was a little rough—I added almost a second, didn’t really swim my own race, had a little wardrobe malfunction with a suit. So I was in lane one tonight. I just saw my teammates in the stands and tried to do it for Team USA.” — Matthew Willenbring (USA), after men’s 100 free semi-finals (qualified fourth, 49.36)

“I haven’t really thought about it yet. Hopefully I can just get a medal.” — Willenbring, on his expectations for the final

“It meant so much to me. It was so exciting to be able to have the first (individual) gold medal for Team Canada. It’s just so exciting for me.” — Jade Hannah (CAN), after women’s 50 back final (=gold, 27.93)

“It definitely pushes all of us to do great things. It’s amazing to have those two girls with us because we all look up to them so much. To see what they do on a daily basis at big meets like this is really helpful.” — Hannah, on having Olympic medalists Penny Oleksiak and Taylor Ruck as teammates

“It’s a really fun event. I really wanted to see what I could do with this. I knew it was obviously going to be a really tough field—50s are like that. I went into it just trying to think about the little things, have a good start, great kickout and try to get a fast pace. Didn’t happen this time—that’s okay.” – Regan Smith (USA), after women’s 50 back final (fourth, 28.12)

“Killing it in the 50 free and then coming right back in the 50 back, I’m beyond proud of her. And now she’s got to go do that relay. She’s been such a trooper—she’s had so many doubles and triples this meet. I’m so proud of her.” — Smith, on teammate Grace Ariola, after Ariola took bronze in 50 back.

“This team is so strong. We’re one of the smaller teams that they’ve sent to World Juniors—there’s 14 of us—but we’re all strong as a group, and we’re all so close. We’re all swimming fast, and we’re building on each other’s successes.” — Rebecca Smith (CAN), after women’s 400 free relay (Canada won gold, 3:36.19 WJR), on success of Canadian team in Indianapolis

I think it’s pretty important just to have people training together and racing together as much as they can because it’s important to build a team. You can’t really go into races with four people from opposite sides of the country because then it’s just going to be awkward—we don’t get to practice takeovers, we don’t know each other as well, we don’t know how people finish and everything.” — Oleksiak, on training with relay teammates Smith, Taylor Ruck and Kayla Sanchez

“I don’t think a World Junior Record ever gets stale. I was really happy with tonight’s swim, but I was really shooting for a 22.9. It felt like the last ten meters of the race I sort of dropped off.” — Michael Andrew (USA), after men’s 50 fly final (gold, 23.22 WJR)

“I’m excited for a morning off tomorrow.” — Andrew, on his busy schedule (also swam 50 breast semi-final Sunday evening)

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Pro Women Fitness

6 years ago

gee!