Posted: March 11, 2005

Athletics: John McDonnell – NCAA Championship Press Conference Transcript

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The following is a partial transcript of Arkansas head coach John McDonnell at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships press conference.

Opening remarks:

“This is going to be a great meet and I’ve been coaching for a long time and I think this is the deepest, most talented field that I’ve seen at the NCAA in years. Especially in the middle distances and distance events, where 13:57 guys didn’t get in the 5,000 and several sub 8-minute 3,000-meter guys didn’t get in. It’s really an outstanding meet and there’s no way you can figure how many points you’re going to get here, because there are so many great athletes. There’s no shoe-in anywhere.”

What is Tyson Gay’s status?

“He’s about 95 percent and he wants to run, but that’s up to him at this point. Lance Brauman is the sprints coach and I’m glad he is on this occasion. It’s a very explosive event, so Lance has to make the decision.

“We’d be a lot more comfortable if he was running. He’s has the top time in the 60 and he only had to run one race to get that time. Tyson is a great competitor, one of the fiercest I’ve seen in any event. He loves to win and that’s how he pulled that hamstring, trying to win.”

Will you know by Friday night where you stand as a team?

“I think we will. There are three events tomorrow, the 5,000, the distance medley relay and 200, that will give us a good idea if we’re still in the big dance or not. Those events are loaded and there won’t be any cheap points in those events.”

How do you feel about doubling or tripling athletes”?

“You have to take a chance; this is the national championship. You can’t be cautious, because once you get here everything goes. That’s what kids want. They’re at the big dance and every team wants to try to win if they possibly can. I’ve always been an advocate of laying it on the line. If it works, it works and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. When you come here there is no guarantee at the national meet, because there are so many great athletes.”