The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Track Star Savante' Stringfellow Headed For Sydney
8/7/2000 | Track and Field
Aug. 7, 2000
OXFORD, Miss. -- In a little over a month, Ole Miss junior track and fieldstar Savante' Stringfellow will walk with the United States contingent in the opening ceremonies at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The Jackson, Miss., native received word late last week that he had made the U.S. track and field team.
This year's NCAA Champion, Stringfellow placed fifth in the long jump at the Olympic Track and Field Trials in July. The top three in each event qualify for the U.S. track and field team.
Melvin Lister, Dwight Phillips, Walter Davis and Robert Howard finished ahead of Stringfellow in the long jump. Howard and Davis were also among the top three in the triple jump. Because the qualification for the triple jump is on the same day as the long jump finals, the two opted to compete in the triple jump opening the door for Stringfellow.
"I am excited about the chance to redeem myself," Stringfellow said. "I am relieved, after placing fifth at the trials, to still have an opportunity to compete in the Olympics. Making the Olympics was my ultimate goal, and now I have achieved that."
"This is a very exciting time for Savante'," Rebel head coach Joe Walker said. "It is the opportunity of a lifetime and every kid's dream to compete in the Olympics. The Olympics is the top stage for track and field."
Stringfellow became the third Ole Miss athlete ever to make the U.S. Olympic team. Former track star Tony Dees won a silver medal in the 110 meter hurdles in the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Spain, and basketball star Jennifer Gillom was a member of the gold medal winning team in the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea. In addition, Stringfellow is the first Ole Miss athlete to compete in the Olympics as an undergraduate. He will be a senior this year.
Stringfellow won the 2000 NCAA long jump title in early June. Last year, Stringfellow competed at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), and the World Championships in Seville, Spain, as a member of the U.S. Track and Field squad.
After a disappointing finish at the Olympic Trials, Stringfellow looks forward to the opportunity to compete again on the world stage.
"My goal, when I get there, is to focus on winning a medal," Stringfellow said. "If I stay consistent and within myself, I think I have an excellent chance to come home with a medal."
"Savante is getting ready to make a major breakthrough on the world scene," Walker said. "Everybody there will be a worthy opponent, but he is certainly capable of winning a medal."
Stringfellow jumped 26-4 ? in the finals, after a 26-10 ? jump in qualifying. He plans to attend a training camp in San Diego before heading to Sydney for the Games in September. The Games begin Sept. 15 with the opening ceremonies. The long jump qualifying begins on Sept. 25.
"Walking in the opening ceremonies will be one of those Kodak moments for Savante'," Walker said. "Anybody who has ever run out on the field at the Super Bowl or a major event knows that this will be a special moment."
"I haven't thought a lot about the opening ceremonies," Savante said. "At the Pan Am Games, there were about 66,000 people in the stands and there will be twice as many at the Olympics. It will be something to remember."