Posted: February 7, 2005

Athletics: Savante Stringfellow USATF Teleconference Transcript

USA Track & Field on Monday hosted a teleconference with long jumper Savante Stringfellow, the 2001 world outdoor silver medalist and the #1 world ranked long jumper of 2002. Stringfellow will compete Friday at the Powered by Tyson Invitational, the third on the Visa Championship Series. Also on the call was Ed Nicholson, Director of Media and Community Relations at Tyson Foods.

ED NICHOLSON: This is the sixth consecutive year that Tyson has sponsored this meet, one of the most successful meets in the country. We're the largest provider of chicken beef and pork in the world. As such, we understand the importance of protein for these athletes. Tyson wants people to know that nothing delivers strength and energy more than protein. That's why we say that we're proud to power the world. We really hope to see a world record at this meet. As a result, we're offering a $25,000 bonus to athletes who break world records at this meet.

Q: Savante, tell us about your injury last summer and what you've been doing since then. [Stringfellow ruptured his right Achilles tending at the Home Depot Invitational.]

STRINGFELLOW: The injury was the worst thing that could have happened during the worst year. I was having an unbelievable season. I started with a win at Tyson, then won world indoor. Then we got to Home Depot, and with a snap it all ended. I got into a second career, in real estate, and since I couldn't train, we had another baby.

I never had an injury, and one thing I'm leaning, you can be physically ready, but I'm not as sharp as I was at this time last year. I'm using indoor to get back the precision, the sharpness, and hopefully by the time outdoors rolls around, I'll be 100 percent.

Q: Do you think it's weird that Fayetteville has become a track capital?

STRINGFELLOW: It's not weird at all. The team there has done a fantastic job, and that is one of the fastest tracks in the world. People want to be there because they know they're going to get outstanding results.

Q: Did you watch the Olympics?

STRINGFELLOW: No, I watched the [Olympic] Trials, and that was enough. I watched the Trials and watched people not jump very far, and I knew I should have been there. I felt like they were doing something that was mine, and they took it away from me. It was a couple of days until I found out who won the Olympics.

Q: How beneficial is it for you to train in Tuscaloosa, Ala., with Miguel Pate? [The pair are coached by Rod Tiffin; Stringfellow lives in Mississippi but spends 3-4 days a week in Tuscaloosa]

A: He was one of the top two jumpers in the world, hands down, when I got here. We always pushed each other in meets, and I felt if we had that extra push in practice, it would be great. He was injured when I got here, and now with me injured, I couldn't have a better person to be with. He's been through an injury a lot worse than mine and he got through it.

Q: How did you injury happen?

STRINGFELLOW: I was getting ready to run down the runway. When I took that hop [before starting his approach], I heard a pop. It felt like I actually stepped in a hole. I reached down and grabbed it. I didn't know exactly what it was, but I knew that was pretty much it.

Q: Did you spend time thinking, 'why me?'

STRINGFELLOW: Nope. I think everything is for a reason. I looked at it like I'm about to do great things. Maybe this is a sign to sit back and look from the outside, looking in, and when I'm back into it I'm more hungry and focused. I can appreciate more what I did, and understand my place in it. The long jump was boring last year, and nothing about me is boring, so I'm back to spice things up. You got the same results every time - the same person was winning every time [2003 world champion and Olympic gold medalist Dwight Phillips]. I'm going to provide some excitement, win lose or draw.

Q: What would it take for the long jump to get on the same stage as the shot put?

STRINGFELLOW: The shot put is exciting. You've got four people in the United States who are the best in the world. People respond to that. Four big guys, throwing in little shorts - that turns me on, I don't know about you.

Q: What do you mean when you call it a fast track?

STRINGFELLOW: Anytime there is a meet, the Tyson Invitational, you're going to see some unbelievable results. I jumped my personal best back there last year. Maybe it's something about the meet, or the pride of the long jump. You're going to see something this weekend, and you're going to think 'oh my goodness.' You always hope your event is going to be at Tyson, because it brings out the best in everybody.

Q: When were you able to go back to training?

STRINGFEWLLOW: I was always ahead of what the doctors were saying. I went to test it (Achilles) out and dunked and broke a backboard. That was the first time I had done that. That encouraged me to get back out on the track. That was about 6 months after the surgery. I wasn't supposed to be 100 percent until 9 months. I think I'm at 9 months now. You've got to go with your feeling, and I feel great.

Q: Tell us about having your second child.

STRINGFELLOW: On January 17, I had my first son, Kennedy. I've had nothing else to do, so having another kid has been pretty exciting. I don't get much sleep at night, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've got a daughter, McKenzie, who's 19 months old.

Q: How is your fitness?

STRINGFELLOW: I know I'm in shape, I know I can jump. But it's all about being sharp. It's all about long jump stuff - getting fast in the run, driving out the back. I know I can jump, the Achilles is not the problems. I haven't jumped in 8-9 months. I think I'm probably 5-6 pounds heavier than I want to be. I'm at 200 pounds now, but it's all unadulterated muscle. I'm one of the finest specimens you will see.

Q: Do you commute to Tuscaloosa every day for training?

STRINGFELLOW: I stay at Miguel's. I arrived in Tuscaloosa today, and I'll go back on Thursday. But I'm away from my newborn and my family.

Q: Any predictions for The World Outdoor Championships?

STRINGFELLOW: I think 8.65 (meters) is going to win it. I'm not sure who's going to be there, but I think 8.65 will win it.

You've still got to worry about myself, Miguel and Dwight. Moffitt had a good meet [at the Olympics]. If he wants to be in that category, he has to be consistent. Dwight has pretty much elevated to another level right now that nobody else is ready to accept. That made it easier for him.

Source: Jill Geer
Director of Communications
USATF.org.