Sophia Rivera, shot put
 
“Today I did the javelin and at first it was looking kind of down. I wasn’t throwing very well, but I got it out there on my last throw. “
 
“It means the world. Towards the end after my second throw, I started to get down on myself. I really just had to turn my attitude around, and I did, and let it go. I said to myself that whatever happens - happens, and it happened. Its crazy.”
 
“It’s crazy. It still really hasn’t hit me even though I just finished competing. It amazing just to be able to represent my country, my amazing country, and to be able to make it to the finals in one event and hopefully if all goes well another event tomorrow.It’s a wonderful experience and a wonderful privilege to be able to represent my country.”
 
Sydney McLaughlin, 400mH
 
On the race
“I thought my start was good. The first few hurdles were a little shaky trying to adjust to the track and the turn. What I think went well, my last straightaway is the best part, and that’s the part I usually struggle on, so I think it’s great.”
 
On lining up against competitors from other countries
“It’s a little nerve racking, not knowing them and not knowing how they run or their style of running, but I think it’s a great experience for me.”
 
On if some of her steps being a little off was attributed to trying to hold bcak
“I tried to chill the first 200, but I saw the girls on me and tried to adjust. My steps just weren’t there, so hopefully tomorrow I will do better.”
 
On representing Team USA
“It was great. Having people not even know my name but chant, “USA! USA!” It’s just a great experience to be able to represent my country.”
 
Brandee Johnson, 400mH
 
On the race and her strategy
“I just wanted to get out really well and maintain my pattern over the first three hurdles. Unfortunately, I was going a little too fast. I was a little off, but I’ll work on that tomorrow. I wanted to finish strong but not too strong turn my body over tomorrow. I just wanted to have a clean smooth race.”
 
On competing against athletes from other countries
“With the 400 hurdles, I was a little nervous because it’s a different race. But I love the competition and everyone is really friendly, so I was glad that I could run against them.”
 
On how representing Team USA at World Youth Championships is different from Youth Olympic Games
“It’s a long race, and I have a lot more confidence in the 400 hurdles than I did in the 200. For us to have three rounds, I know that I can give it my all and work on certain things going into finals.”
 
Daniel Estrada, 100m semifinals
 
“My start was good. I was really just focussing on my race, which I didn’t do the first round. It felt good.”
 
Katelyn Gouchenour, Javelin
 
“I was confused for most of the warm-up here, so I guess that kept me really relaxed and that helped me, so that’s good.”
 
On if there was less pressure after having that first good throw
“It was relieving, but then it was like ‘Why couldn’t it have been a 52?’ Then, I started trying and whatever.”
 
On the last two, I had the point too high and didn’t get the point at all, so the wind took it. I guess in the finals I’ll have to keep my tip low and and always focus on pointing my right foot forward.
 
On competing for Team USA
“Words cannot describe the feeling. I mean it hit me this morning and on the bus ride here when we pulled up to the practice track. It wasn’t just me anymore. It was for our country.”
 
Rylie Bowen, 2,000m Steeplechase
 
“We were kept under the stands for quite awhile, and we were all really nervous because we could hear everybody cheering, and we didn’t know how many people were really out there. Then we came out, and we saw something that none of us could actually dream of seeing. The stadium had a ton of people in it. The track was nice, and the steeplechase was full, so we were ready to run.”
 
“Those girls are fast. It was really cool though. Everyone out here was such a nice person, and it was really fun to see and meet everyone. Those girls who won, are absolutely incredible.