Pole-vaulting in a foreign land
The four-time All American from Russia
Pole-vaulter Kate Sultanova didn't know she was coming to the University of Kansas until a week before leaving Russia.
Friday, May 2nd, 2008
Kate Sultanova was completely terrified. The senior pole-vaulter was in a foreign land where she knew no one, couldn’t speak the language and could still remember exactly how she had gotten to the University of Kansas.
“It was scary for me because you’re just going to another planet basically,” she said. “I was thinking, ‘I don’t know what kind of people they are. Are they mean or nice? I can’t speak the language.’”
Only one week earlier Sultanova was in her hometown of Krasnodar, Russia, completely unaware that she was about to embark on an incredible journey across the world.
Photo by Weston White
Senior pole vaulter Kate Sultavona looks down while clearing the bar at the Kansas Relays. Sultavona finished second overall while finishing at 4.05 meters.
“My dad decided everything,” she said. “He gave me a week before I had to say goodbye to my friends. He didn’t want me to think about it. He said that he knew it was best for me, and I trusted him.”
A former Kansas pole-vaulter and friend of Sultanova had informed her father that KU was looking for female athletes. Sultanova’s father, who is a professional track and field coach, then made all necessary travel arrangements and explained the situation to his daughter.
Sultanova said that her biggest influence in life has been her dad. Growing up in a Russian town of 800,000 people, just northeast of the Black Sea, Sultanova was introduced to track and field at a very young age.
“My dad was always taking me to meets because he was a track coach,” she said. “I was five years old, and I was already holding the pole.”
Originally involved in rhythmic gymnastics, Sultanova’s father felt his daughter would make an excellent pole-vaulter. Sultanova was reluctant at first, but eventually followed her dad’s advice to “just try it.”
At age 16 she began competing in the pole vault for her high school. Initially Sultanova was not entirely excited about the sport.
“When you start you don’t know the technique,” she said. “You don’t get the feeling like I do now.”
Several years later Sultanova landed in Kansas, and the rest is history. The once terrified freshman, who could only say phrases like “Hi, my name is Kate from Russia,” transformed into the four-time All American and three-time Big 12 champion that she is today.
More recently, Sultanova placed third at the 2008 Indoor National Championships in Fayetteville, Arks. and took home second place at the Kansas relays two weeks ago.
When not winning track and field meets Sultanova simply enjoys relaxing with her friends.
“I’m always hanging out with my American sister, Laura,” she said with a laugh. “She’s my best friend, that’s why I call her my sister.”
Sultanova also enjoys spending time with her eight-year-old niece who is involved in rhythmic gymnastics just like she was at the same age.
After graduating this May, Sultanova hopes to continue her pole-vaulting career. She said that she wanted to compete professionally and eventually coach track and field.
“It’s just me,” she said. “I’ve been in sports all my life.”
This weekend, Sultanova will travel to the University of Arkansas where she will compete in the Arkansas Twilight Meet. With the conference championships only two weeks away, she will be that much closer to bringing home another Big 12 title.
—Edited by Russell Davies
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