Sylvester also ran on many of the 4x400 meter relays for the Vols (UTsports.com)

1. You really came out on the scene big last year in the 800 meters as a freshman by finishing second at the NCAA Indoor Championships and sixth at the Outdoor Championships. What kind of expectations do you have heading into the 2002-03 seasons?

Well I haven't given it that much thought. It is a World Championship year and I would love to make a run at the team. This year I want to be more comfortable in my game plans for races and trying to figure out what is the best way for me to run the fastest. There are a lot of talented guys out there now and I have to be on the top of my game to go after them.

2. What was your main decision to enroll into Tennessee considering you could have gone anywhere in the country?

I loved the atmosphere here. I signed before all of the success so that was not a large part. I felt that the guys here would be like brothers to me and that the coaches truly cared. I am happy that I was right about this place. This school embraced me quickly and I am glad I was able to produce results for them.

3. Describe the feeling of winning the national team championship indoors and at the same time losing the title so close outdoors to your rival LSU on their home track?

Well indoor was a great feeling, but at the same time it just seemed to come natural. I don't know what it was but last year our team just seemed like we could not lose. That is why LSU hurt so badly. Everyone on the team can look back and say that if Leonard Scott was running we would have won. If I ran faster we could have won. Basically it just wasn't our day. Stuff happens and we grow from those experiences and come into this year hungry to get back on top.

4. Are you pleased to see that the NCAA will install a regional format beginning this season?

Happy that it is at Ohio State? Yes. Happy about the regional? No. It is making the collegiate season way too long. SEC's then regionals then NCAA's and then USA's is a long stretch to be a top peak performance. I understand the logic behind it, but I think in the long run it is just way too much running.

5. With the notable losses of Justin Gatlin to the professional scene and Leonard Scott to graduation, who do you see will combine to fill in the void and valuable points for the SEC and NCAA Championship meets?

Sprinting wise we do still have Gary Kikaya who was the national champion in the 400 meters. He is an amazing runner. Also we have Sean Lambert and Jonathan Wade who both will make some noise in the 100 and 200. I think our biggest point getter in the decathlon. We have great athletes in there that can get us big points and if others step up we are still a very dangerous team.

6. One of the best individual rivalries already is between yourself and Otukile Lekote of South Carolina in the 800 meters. You two will battle for at least the next two seasons head to head again. What, if any, kind of methods mentally or physically will you do to overtake him as the SEC title holder?

Well all of last year people always asked me about racing him and what strategy I can use. I know how he is going to race. He is a hard runner who attacks early. I have studied film after film on him and that still isn't enough. Basically I have to come into the race ready to fight and aim for him. He is the champ and it will take a lot to take that from him but I am always up for the challenge. He is a great guy who I have a ton of respect for but no fear.

7. Did you spend your summer back in Cleveland, Ohio or in Tennessee and how did your training go in preparation for the upcoming seasons?

I went home this summer and worked mostly back north. My training was not all that it should have been. I did mileage and prepared to come in this fall upping my mileage about 5-7% I needed to get back home and see my family because I'll most likely be down in Knoxville the next couple summers.

8. Describe a typical early week workout during your competition season and what methods you get out the most from your training.

The biggest thing I do is longer sprint intervals at a controlled pace. My coach last year started calling out my 50 meter splits and that was the biggest thing that helped me. I learned to be smooth and to run more relaxed and even through 200s and 300s. I think that it is going to help me the most in this upcoming year when I have more base and more basic strength.

9. Do you spend much time on the internet looking at the numerous running message boards and results pages?

I used to. Now I do just for the laughs. Sometimes people say some funny things on there. I go on and it is all about the same things. Webb did this, Ritz did that, with the occasional stupid thing that has nothing to do with track. I was too caught up in that in high school and now I just try to relax. Whatever happens, happens and I don't care what people say about it.

10. When did you first discover that you wanted to focus on running the 800 meters?

After my sophomore year in high school, I ran a 1:51.92 and thought I was on top of the world. I used to play football and at that time I stopped to focus on running so I did XC. That year I ran a 1:49.5 and I knew then that the 800 was my calling. To be honest the race hurts and it is long and the training is grueling, but for some reason I have just grown to love it.

11. Did you think Alan Webb made the right decision by giving up his NCAA eligibility and turning pro?

That is not for me or anyone but him to judge. He is a great runner no doubt. I am not going to sing from the mountain tops that he is the greatest ever, but his stats don't lie. He did what he had to do. I am happy for him and I think it is good for track. I don't think a ton of people will leave early, but it shows that track has good money to give out now and if you run fast you can make a decent living. I wish him all the best because no matter what he is my teammate as a US runner. We need people like him to blossom and take the US back on top of middle distance running.

12. What athlete or role model did you look up to growing up?

I never had really a professional role model. My role models were always my teammates when I was younger. I always listened to the seniors. They helped me grow up because they have experience. I listen to anyone who has been there before. I talk to Tony Parrilla (school record holder) all the time about how he faced adversity and how he ran certain races. I have learned a lot in a short time and I keep on learning.