by Samantha Robinson
Jaanus Uudmae has been at SIU for a short time, but he's already made a huge impression on his coach.
Men's track and field head coach Cameron Wright believes Uudmae is one of his best recruits ever, and it's not hard to understand why.
Uudmae is an international student from Tallinn, Estonia, who is also a member of the SIU men's track and field team. Uudmae participates in jumps, with the triple jump being his forte. Earlier this indoor season, he was named the Missouri Valley Conference "Field Athlete of the Week" with a jump of 51-3 1/2.
He is ranked No. 4 on the SIU all-time indoor triple jump list and 18th in the nation.
Uudmae chose to attend SIU because of Wright and the other jumpers on the team. He liked what Wright had to say and decided that it was right for him.
"He was one of the main reasons I came here," Uudmae said. "His ideas about practicing are similar to mine."
It was not until three years ago that Uudmae started taking track and field seriously.
He practiced about two to three times a week - mainly for fun - whereas here he practices four to five times a week, not only because he has to, but because he is into jumping more than he was before. Now he wants to keep progressing.
"Uudmae has been real consistent and anytime an athlete is consistent with numbers like his, a bigger big one is about to come," Wright said.
Track and field has been a part of Uudmae's life since he was a child, since both of his parents participated in jumps. His mother was a long jumper on the Estonian national team and his father won the gold medal in the 1980 Olympics.
Not only did his parents compete, but he also has two younger brothers and two younger sisters that all participate in track and field.
"Back home track and field is a big deal. The majority of people have participated in it at some point in their life," Uudmae said.
The only difference Uudmae notices between being in the United States and back home is that with the club system, the athletes are able to choose which coach they want to practice with and they practice five to six times a week and sometimes even more.
"The high school students are very serious about track and field and work harder than anyone else I have seen," Uudmae said.
Uudmae is majoring in computer science. Once he receives his degree, he is looking into graduate school to obtain his master's of business administration and hopefully stay and work in the United States.
Even though he is far removed from family, he does not want to return to Estonia to live.
"I miss my family and friends, but I will stay here because there are better opportunities and the pay is better [in the United States]," Uudmae said.
When Uudmae is not in class or practicing, he spends time with his friends. He said that he found it easy to meet people when he first arrived because everyone was friendly.
Uudmae has a while before he graduates, so for now he is concentrating on track and field and his classes.
He has ended the regular indoor season and is now almost ready to participate in the MVC Championships this weekend in Terre Haute, Ind.
"I like being at SIU because I am able to incorporate my own ideas with Coach Wright's," Uudmae said. "With his help, I know I will do better at each competition."
As the year progresses, he hopes to continue to improve on his speed and distance, as well as qualify for nationals.
"He has the talent to be a very special athlete and possibly a school record-holder," Wright said.
Reporter Samantha Robinson can be reached at srobinson@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
