Two long jumpers. Two triple jumpers. Two teammates. Two friends.
Senior Len Herring and freshman Alonzo Moore, two of the Wisconsin men's track team's top jumpers, rival each other in the pit but, despite the tight competition, are friends.
On the field, Herring and Moore present a double threat in meets, as both have had jumps that qualified for the NCAA tournament in the triple jump. For both players, the rivalry they face as teammates assists them in competitions, such as the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, the meet they will enter this weekend.
Both men head into the competition with goals for themselves that nearly mirror each other.
\Hopefully in the triple, I can top off 55 feet ... and in long jump, 26 feet,"" Herring said.
Moore also believes he will compete well and is aiming to jump 54 feet in the triple jump and said his only competition will come from familiar territory.
""I don't really worry about anybody but my own teammates'Len, people in my competition'because I know they can beat me.""
For Moore, the natural teasing and talk that comes with the competitiveness he and Herring share strengthen him as a jumper.
""Competitive talk ... just to give each other confidence and build us up and push us to do better,"" Moore said.
Herring adds that he has seen Moore's performance improve over the course of the season.
""I've seen an improvement,"" Herring said. ""I've been hurt most of the season. He's jumped well all season. So there's a definite improvement in him. This'll be my test, this weekend.""
Assistant coach Mark Napier can attest to what Herring has seen in Moore throughout the season.
""Len's been a little banged up indoors and Alonzo has made huge gains already this year and Len's season's coming. I think Alonzo also respects Len's ability,"" Napier said.
Although Herring and Moore are often each others' toughest contenders, their camaraderie is still strong.
""He's a good guy,"" Herring said. ""I want to see him do well.""
Off the field, Herring and Moore maintain a solid relationship, as Herring considers himself an adviser of sorts.
""I'm a mentor to him,"" Herring said. ""He always asks for advice [and] I'm helping him mature.""
Moore agreed and said he looks to Herring for advice.
""I learn from [him] because he's older. He's a senior and so I look up to him,"" Moore said. ""I learn from what he does and just try to ... if not be just like him, be better. So in that sense, he seems like an older brother to me.""
Both teammates agree that, although the competition is tough, they are friends both on and off the field.
""We're friends,"" Moore said. ""We hang out from time to time. We joke around with each other.\
