June 14, 2014
Recap | Notes
Villanova freshman Patrick Tiernan...
On finishing in sixth place: I couldn't ask for anything more today. I am just really happy to be here and put my best out there for Villanova. It was a great result for me. I have been taking stepping stones this year to get more competitive next year and so far it seems like I am in great shape.
On how he felt during the final quarter of the race: With three laps to go I was hurting pretty badly. I was just trying to hang in there, give it my best shot and then with 800 to go you just try to start grinding the gears to find a way to the front of that pack and try to push it. I just gave it everything I had in the last 400 and came away being sixth. You work so hard to get here all season. There is no point in giving up with 800 to go. You have got to give it your best and that's what I did. I put my body on the line and came away with a great result in the end.
On whether he thought he could finish sixth going into the race: No. I came here today and I had been looking at the heat sheet and seeing the names like the Oregon boys, [Lawi] Lalang, [Kennedy] Kithuka. There are pros here every year so you just can't expect to come here and get All-American. You have to come in, expect every single possibility and go for it.
On where he can go from here as a runner: I'm really happy with how the season went. I am very surprised how it went also. I didn't expect to be anywhere near 13:30 at the end of the season. The next step for me is trying to get here again next year and get further up on that podium, but ultimately Rio [2016 Olympics] to represent Australia and then the Commonwealth Games in 2018 back home. I am just taking baby steps to get there and we'll see how it goes.
On his capabilities as a runner: I don't know. The sky is the limit so we'll see how it goes. I have a great setup back at Villanova. [Head coach] Marcus [O'Sullivan] obviously knows what he is doing with my first year here so it's been going great.
On being second in school history to Sydney Maree in the 5000 meters: I didn't know that. It's amazing to be considered up there with someone like Sydney Maree. From what I heard he was a fantastic athlete ranging from the 1500 all the way up to the 5 and 10. I'm stoked to be considered with him.
On what is next for him: I will be taking a break. My mom and sister came over to watch me today so I'm just really happy to get a good result and now I can enjoy my time off. I will be training in the U.S. over the summer. I will probably be here for a while before I go back home. My main goal now is just to focus on athletics and academics.
On the Australian connection at Villanova: There are a lot of us around here who are only freshmen and sophomores. I'll be in good company for a while which is great. Having an Australian contingent over here is very comforting for me. I'm not the only one coming over and making the move. It means it's working for other people as well. I'm really happy with the situation at the moment.
On his brother: I just want to say thanks to my brother Jack back home. He has been supporting me this whole year. He is a runner himself so it means a lot to come over here and have a year like this. Hopefully he'll consider doing something similar in the future.
Villanova head coach Marcus O'Sullivan...
On whether this race compares to Tiernan's time of 13:37 at Iowa State indoors: No, there isn't any comparison. It is one thing when you are in a low key race and it's a non-championship. When you've got to come out on a championship day and the pressure is on makes it very different. My feeling is this was very impressive.
On the race: The first mile [Pat] was in totally new territory he's never been in and the second mile he was in totally new territory. I was saying `Oh my gosh, if he comes undone it's not going to be pretty' but with two laps to go I said `Ok, he's fine.' Then with the stumble he had [with 350 meters left] I was a little concerned. I could sense it broke his momentum because you are getting ready for that last 350 but again he held his composure pretty well.
On Tiernan finishing in sixth place: For him to be an All-American in a field like that is very impressive and for him to do more than that and finish sixth is really, really big. I am very happy for him. This was a great day for him to run the race that he did today.
On Tiernan being able to step up to a higher level in a big race: He was tired when he came back from Florida at the Regionals and I was a little concerned for him. I think a lot of it had to do with hanging around all week and waiting for the championship. He was just a little flat, and there was heat. He didn't come off it well and essentially we just backed completely off that last 10 days with the hope that he could rejuvenate his legs and get back into it. He did exactly that so it was great, terrific.
On what is next for Tiernan: He will take a nice rest right now. He needs a rest. He has been going all year since cross country. He's had an impressive cross country, indoor, outdoor and so he just needs some time. He is still very young. He is only 19 years old so he needs the time to back off.
On Tiernan being among the best 5000 meters runners in school history: He is in that group for sure and it is a great group, and to be so young and doing it. He's got a great head. He is very sensible and he trains what I would consider very sensibly. You can just tell. This is the number of races he's come off this year and he isn't even thinking about it. He is done and moving on.
