Track Inspirations: Amy Acuff was the one that I always watched, the high jumper.
First Track Memory: Just watching the 2000 Olympics on TV. Just watching. I always remember the hurdles. The women’s hurdles I watched.
Childhood Dream: A gymnast—even though I never did gymnastics [laughs].
Hobbies: I like to go camping. 4-wheeling.
First Job: My dad’s grocery store.
Last Book Read: Oh that’s a good question. I think it’s really sad that I can’t even remember the last book that I read [laughs]. I don’t read that much, to be honest with you. Does Cosmopolitan magazine count [laughs]?!
Favorite Movies: Any kind of drama or suspense, nothing in particular.
First Famous Track Athlete You Encountered: The first one I remember was Lauryn Williams. I remember the story when she was there, her dad was in the stands. I just remember the background information that NBC gave. Amy Acuff too. When I had to room with her, I thought, “She’s like special.” They put me in the same room with her, I was nervous to even be in her presence [laughs].
First Car: A hand-me-down from my parents, A blue Chevy something or other.
Current Car: I drive a GMC Denali, black.
Pre-Competition Feeling: Think not to be nervous. And make sure to make the first bar.
Favorite Ice Cream: Mint chocolate chip.
Greatest Sports Moment: The greatest was the [Olympic] gold medal. That was my greatest moment, emotionally, everything. Everything leading up to it. All the challenges and having it come through and work out the way that it never really does.
Most Painful Moment: When I tore my quad going into the Olympic Trials. That was probably the worst part of my career, not thinking that I was going to make the team to go to the Olympics. So it’s hard to believe that the worst and best came within the same year, a couple of months of each other.
Embarrassing Track Memory: Probably the first time I long jumped. I didn’t know you had to exit the pit. So I walked straight back up the runway. And jumped like a foot. I was a senior in high school.
Funny Track Memory: Let me think… probably when I asked if Bubka was still alive, when I first started vaulting [laughs].
3 Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: I definitely like watching Sanya Richards. The Yankees, of course. I used to like to root for the underdogs, now I go for the favorites.
Favorite Places To Compete: Anywhere that’s drivable. I like to compete in Canada. I like to compete at local meets.
Reaction To Last Year’s Competition With Isinbayeva in Russia: Yeah, it was intense. I learned that homefield advantage does matter [laughs]. I got booed when I made a bar. I got cheered when I missed. I got booed when they announced me.
I just remember being really intense and having to focus and just block it all out. You could feel the crowd against you. And I knew I just had to listen to what [husband/ coach Rick Suhr] and I were doing, just pay attention, block it out. The performance was really good. There was a lot stacked up against me on that.
And to be able to come through and take 2nd, it really made the whole competition except for one height. I really answered when she made a bar, came back and made it. Made first attempt when it mattered. I was happy with my performance. I gave her a hug after, said congratulations, that was pretty much it.
On Expectations On Always Being Introduced As “Olympic Champion”: It’s something that they can’t take away no matter what. Always having that title is special. Nothing can replace the Olympics. There’s no meet that can come close to what an Olympic title means. I put high expectations on myself, so whatever title or stigma I have, I guarantee you mine’s higher.
People Qualities Most Admired: Honesty. And loyalty.
