SEC Weekend Page 3

"If you can make it in the SEC... You can make it anywhere!" -- Karen:)



 "Shade" Celebrating
the Lady Gators Big SEC Victory!
"GATOR QUOTES" at the SEC (from: UTSports.com)

Tom Jones - Florida Women's Head Coach
(Florida Won the Women's Team Championship with 159 Points)
"After what our team endured this year injury-wise and emotionally, this is probably the sweetest victory I've ever had in 33 years of coaching. Our team came through in every department--in every facet. Of course, you always have your ups and downs. This is an exceptional group."

Novlene Williams - Florida - Women's 4x400m Champions
(Robinson, Benjamin, Bratton and Williams Had a Winning Time of 3:32.58)
" We had the attitude that we were going to try to place near LSU, but after the anchor leg, we were ahead. There were no problems in the exchange. It was O.K. Coming in here, we knew we could win the team championship, and that's exactly what we did. We didn't need the 4x400 for us to win, but we did it, and we're happy. We will go home as a champion."

Candice Scott - Florida - Women's Hammer Throw Champion
(SEC Women's Heptathlon Hammer Throw Meet Record of 217-10)
"That type of stuff (breaking SEC record) always feels good. Today wasn't a spectacular day for me, but I'll take it anyway. Hopefully, the hammer group starting out the day with 33 points for us will motivate the rest of the team to put their best foot forward today, and for the rest of the meet."

Rachel Longfors - Florida - Women's Discus Champion

"It's exciting. I've been looking for a big throw. I've been hoping and praying. I give my coach credit and I give God credit."

(On the Weather)
"I've been trying to focus on my throws and not worry about the weather."

(On Her Win's Importance to the Team)
"It's big. It helps our team tremendously."

Karen Freberg - Florida - Women's Shot Put Champion
(On Her School Record Throw of 55-9.75)
"It was awesome. I really felt on that throw that it was really good. When I saw the mark, I was really excited. It really pumped me up. The girls in the first flight got two PRs and I'm pretty happy for our team performance. This was my first outdoor championship so I'm really excited to achieve that."

(On Her Team's Goal of a Championship)
"That was our goal coming in. We all wanted to win a championship, or at least try to. If we had enough girls finish in the top 5 or top 8, we knew we had a chance. I'm very happy for my team."

Paul Condron - Florida - Men's Pole Vault Champion

(Winning Vault of 17-2.75)
"I had a horrible practice on Thursday. I knew my body was capable, but not my mind. Everything clicked at the second bar. The coaches had me change my form a little bit, and from then on I knew I had a good chance of winning. I really thought I would `no height' on the first bar. At the end, I started to get a little tired from all the starting and stopping. All the vaulters know each other, and cheer for each other. We compete each week. I think the SEC (Championship) could have gone any of eight ways. The highest I've ever finished before is third."

Quote from Arkansas Web Site (Ladybacks)

Arkansas scored 130 points over the four-day event and despite 73 points from its distance runners could not overcome the 85 scored by the Gators in the throws as they tallied 159 to take their first outdoor title since 1998 and prevent the Lady'Backs from taking a third SEC triple crown in four years.

"Florida had almost the perfect meet," Arkansas head track coach Lance Harter said. "Even on our best day, we had us predicted for about 148 points. We tried to counter Florida's throwing power with our distance crew, but no one in the conference was able to help us break up their scorers."
 
Right before the championships, I was selected as the SEC's "Athlete of the Week" for my performance at Florida State.  It was very motivating!

"This is a real honor when you consider that the only two Gators to receive this have been All Americans Candice Scott and Jukina Dickerson!

It feels great to be mentioned along with Candice and Jukina."

Thank you to everyone! -- Karen:)

Take me to:
Page 4 -- Karen's Photos of the SEC!
Page 5 -- More Pics from the SEC !
Page 6 -- K-Mail Remembers
Page 1-- the Championship Page!
Page 2 --SEC Runners PICS!