Savanté Stringfellow in Madrid (© Getty Images)
When USA’s Savante Stringfellow and Miguel Pate ended the 2002 season as the top two rated long jumpers in the world, it marked the end of a five-year drought in this traditionally strong event for the United States. Their task now, they say, is to stay on top.
"We've been working for it," said the 24 year-old Stringfellow. "It's like everything I'm doing now is right. This is just a reward for hard work."
Stringfellow, who won silver at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, had the farthest leap of the year outdoors (8.52), won nine of his fourteen outdoor competitions in 2002, and said his favourite win of the year was his last, where he defeated Cuba’s four time outdoor World Champion Ivan Pedroso by 2cm at the IAAF World Cup.
"That was my first big championship win, and I beat Pedroso in a major championship. You had the Spanish guy [Yago Lamela 8.11m, third], he was jumping well, and he was at home, and that made it hard, he had the fans behind him. I think for me to go out and win, in that type of situation, in the last meet of the year, was really big for me."
For the 23 year-old Pate, the highlight for the year came early, when his winning leap of 8.59 at the national indoor championships made him only the fourth jumper to ever break the sand beyond the 28-foot mark (8.53m) indoors.
"That was the real high point," said Pate, currently training in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. "It didn't get any bigger than that for me. It didn't feel like a 28 foot jump," he said, recalling the farthest leap of 2002. "I'd been popping 27 footers all indoor season, so I just thought it was another 27 foot jump. And when they put it up on the board, I was just shocked, just like everyone else, I was just as shocked as they were. It just took my breath away."
For Pate, who was the thirteenth longest jumper in the world in 2001, the major breakthrough in his approach to world level competition came after Edmonton, where, he says, "I got the worst place that you could get – fourth (8.21m)."
"At first I was just excited to be there," he remembers. "But at that point in my career, I was happy with it. I'm going back (to the World Championships) this year with a whole different attitude." This time, he said, he'll know he belongs among the world's best. "The change is that I'm supposed to be there. Trying not to prove to everyone else that I'm a good jumper, but trying to prove to myself that I'm supposed to be getting a medal."
For Stringfellow, a major change for in 2002 came off the track with his marriage to wife Leah, adding that his marriage added a new dimension to his maturity as an athlete. "I feel right now I have a responsibility, to keep a household, as well as a responsibility for myself [competitively]."
But perhaps the most difficult part of the 2002 season for the youthful duo was in making a complete and successful transition from collegiate competition.
"It was really my first year out of college," said Stringfellow, who won three NCAA long jump titles while at the University of Mississippi. "I really had to prove myself. A lot of athletes, that first year out - they don't really do as well as they would expect. I really didn't change anything. I had to work harder because I didn't want to be one of those people they talk about that were pretty good in college but then nothing happened. And everything fell into place."
Pate, who won this year's NCAA indoor crown, echoed Stringfellow's assessment. "It was real tough, having to go from just having to jump every Friday and then coming back home, and getting some good training. Then, going to Europe, and jumping maybe twice a week, and travelling on a day you should be training - that was the biggest part that I had to get used to. I think I handled it well." So well, that he managed to garner five straight wins on the Continent in July.
The two have also become close friends since their early collegiate days, adding a friendly competitive flare to a rivalry they hope will be a long and fruitful one.
"We've been friends since we were freshman in college," said Pate. "We didn't know that we would turn out to be One and Two in the world. We've both come a long way."
“That competitive edge goes beyond the track,” said Stringfellow, who lives and trains in Jackson, Mississippi. "We're pretty competitive on and off the track, from video games to watching football games."
Pate, who plans to resume competition in Fayetteville, Arkansas on February 15, also credits Stringfellow with assisting with his professional transition. "Our relationship has grown now, since we're on another level. He helped me through when he was already on the scene, and he helped me get through my first year. That helped us grow closer."
While the two look at each other as their chief competition as they approach the World Indoor and Outdoor Championships, they are not discounting others, including compatriot Dwight Phillips (8.38m, the third longest jumper of 2002), and defending reigning World champion, Ivan Pedroso.
"I think he's still going to be a factor until he decides that he doesn't want to do it anymore," said Stringfellow of his Cuban conqueror. "We know we're going to have to put in a big jump, because we know he's not going to lay down. This year his five-year reign as number One came to an end, and next year he'll be a lot more eager to take that away from one of us youngsters. He's a proven champion. And I think you're going to see a lot better results from him next year.”
Pate wholeheartedly agrees, and shares a strong respect for the Cuban. "I definitely expect him to come back. I never count this guy out. He had an off year, but in some meets he still came out there to pop an 8.30. So I never count him out. You never know what he's going to bring to the table."
While respecting his competition, Pate feels strongly that he's ready to ascend even further towards the top. "Right now, if I bring my 'A game' to the table, I should be the guy to beat. I should compete well."
Likewise, Stringfellow, known for his nickname "Superman" and the matching tattoo, said his aim is to stay on top, through to the 2008 Olympics.
"(The nickname and tattoo) was something my coach threw on me in college, and I liked it, so stuck with it," said Stringfellow, who will make his 2003 debut in Stuttgart, Germany on February 2. "It's just something I have to live up to. I think if you come out and prove yourself with it, that makes it even better. Others will say, 'You're Superman? Well I'm kryptonite.' It motivates me."
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
