SPORTS Technique • Friday, September 10, 2004 • 33 more than a track meet, but there We wanted to talk to other coun- got on the apron, and you see these Howard: We got so much stuff from page 34 were more than I saw for a football tries, and you know, the countries names on paper, and it’s not really that I actually had to mail some back Howard game, anything. That stadium was that did speak the same language, we a big deal. that’s not here yet. You’re very happy crowded, and I couldn’t believe it. got really close with Australia, and But I looked around at the ladies to get all the stuff, but at the same it is very hard to stay there. There were cameras everywhere, Great Britain, it was great. I was jumping against, I look up to time, you can’t bring any of the stuff I feel like my competition’s on a nothing like I’d ever seen before. ‘Nique: Since track was later all them. They’re all taller than me, you brought with you home. I mean, whole different level now. I’m not ‘Nique: What about the Olym- in the Olympics, did you get to and, I looked at one lady and said, you only get two bags on the plane, really, I’m not too worried. I’m going pic village? What were your im- go out and do much in the city or ‘wow, that’s the lady on the video and I had two large duffel bags with into the season very confident. pressions of such a unique spot in see many other events? Or were that I learned high jump from in wheels, and they gave us three more ‘Nique: On to the Olympics. the world? you too busy prepping for your high school.’ when we got there. What was the first thing that Howard: I don’t know how to events to see much else? A lot of the women I learned ‘Nique: To fill up with stuff? went through your head when describe it. It’s like you can go to Howard: Yeah, basically, you — actually learned — my technique Howard: No, they were full! you realized you were going to one block and hear people speaking want to stay focused until your event from watching videos of them, and Three bags full of stuff. You have go to Athens? one language, go to another block is over, so really I think a lot of us now I’m competing with them! lots of stuff to give away to people Howard: The first thing that came and they’re speaking a completely didn’t get to go out and experience That was the most amazing part of from different countries; I actually to my head was ‘Wow, I actually did different language. But at the same the other events because you want the Games. had to give away all my regular it.’ I mean, you set a goal, and halfway time, all the people are trying to to keep that focus until your event clothes to make room for the Team through the year, I changed what I bond with one another, and we can’t is over. USA stuff. was saying from ‘I might make the Also, you have to sign up for ‘Nique: Did every athlete that team’ or, ‘if God’s willing, I’ll go’ to tickets to go to the other events, so “...I looked at one came to the Olympics get that ‘yes I’m going’ and my confidence it’s basically luck of the draw as to lady and said, ‘Wow, much, or is that because you were changed. And so when I did it, it was “That stadium was who gets tickets to what. a U.S. athlete? like, ‘oh my gosh, I actually did it!’ crowded, and I ‘Nique: So then after your that’s the lady on Howard: It was mostly USA track My second thought was that I events were over did you get to the video that I and field stuff, and the USOC. We don’t have any goals anymore. My couldn’t believe it. see much of Athens? had different things, like the track goal was to go to the Olympics so There were cameras Howard: Yes, I took a lot of learned high jump team was sponsored by Nike and I really had to re-assess things and pictures, the ruins, the Parthenon, from in high school.’ the actual Olympics sponsored by make a new goal. everywhere, nothing I got to see that. And the shopping. Adidas. ‘Nique: What’s your goal like I’d ever seen I spent so many euros! A lot of the women ‘Nique: So you had to be sure now? ‘Nique: Give me your favorite I learned...my not to wear your Adidas pants Howard: My goal now is to make before.” moment from the games. Overall, with your Nike shirt? the world championships. you’re there for how long? technique from.... ” Howard: (laughs) There were ‘Nique: Was your safety at really speak. Howard: Well, I was actually actually different times to wear the Games, because of terrorist The whole time I was over there, there two weeks before the games ‘Nique: I wanted to ask you too different things. threats at the games, something I forgot the political problems of even started. I went to London about these officiating troubles ‘Nique: One last thing. I know you talked about with coaches the world, everything that goes on and Germany for meets before the in some of the sports during the you said your goal for this year and family? in the world, and it’s not a big deal. Games. Games. Were you glad that you is the world championships.Is Howard: Basically, my family is Everyone’s just having fun, all your ‘Nique: How’d you do? were in a sport that didn’t have a 2008 something you’re aiming very strong in faith, and I just had to worries are gone and it’s amazing. Howard: The first one I didn’t do judge holding up a scorecard at for as well? sit down and think, if God brought ‘Nique: So you really did try that well because of the time differ- the end of your jumps? Howard: Oh definitely. But I’m me to this point, then he’s going to to mingle? Was that something ence. I ended up getting fourth place. Howard: I really didn’t hear a lot doing the same thing I did last time; take me through. I had no worries you were encouraged to do or was The seven-hour time change, a lot about that until, you know, it wasn’t just take it one step at a time. because of that. it something that you took upon of jet lag. The second meet I went something that was talked about in For the last four years, it was, ‘Nique: Describe that first mo- yourself, to try and mingle as much to I got second place. the village, so we really didn’t hear a ‘now I have to try and get a track ment walking into the Olympic as you could? ‘Nique: So once you were actu- lot about that until we got back. scholarship,’ ‘let me try to win na- Stadium. Howard: That’s just something ally in Athens, what one thing will It wasn’t really a worry that was tionals,’ taking it one step at a time. Howard: I could not believe there that everybody wanted to do. You you always remember from these on my mind. And I’m looking to maximize these were so many people! I was like, ‘this could tell other countries wanted Olympics? ‘Nique: What kind of stuff did next four years by taking it one step is a track meet?’ I know, it’s a lot to talk to us. Howard: I remember when I first you get as an Olympian? at a time. 34 • Friday, September 10, 2004 • Technique SPORTS ramblin’ By Andy Holt with Chaunte Howardjunior track and field Chaunte Howard, a junior track ing, you don’t get back until the backstop? I’d always race the boys and field star, has enjoyed tremen- evening; maybe 7 o’clock at night, and beat them. dous success over the past two years and that’s including classes, study I’ve always been pretty athletic. I at Tech. hall, practice, weights. By the time noticed that early; it started [about] A native of Templeton, California you get home you’re too tired to do third grade. They started making us Howard is use to making large leaps anything else except sleep and lay do mile time trials once a month, for success. around. once a week, something like that. As a freshman, she was the ACC ‘Nique: Do you keep up with In middle school, I just took it Indoor and Outdoor champion in all the other Tech sports? a little further—‘I can jump over the high jump, and was named an Howard: Oh yeah. that stick!’— and just challenging All-American.Last year, she won ‘Nique: What do you think myself—‘Wow, I really CAN jump the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor over the stick!’ championships, and she followed ‘Nique: It seems like at the tri- her tremendous success by finishing als you really stepped it up. You second in the United States Olympic “Well, actually, you cleared 6’4” there, didn’t you? Trials and competing in Athens.