Take-off is not often the deciding factor. Once safe on the ground you have a myriad of options- including helicopter slings back home. Cut down trees, Wait for a favorable wind, clear rocks, fill holes, leave your (soon to be ex) wife to reduce weight.
Getting into that spot is the challenge.
I don't know everyone's plane, but as I look at the NH numbers it appears the cubs were ahead of the Citabria family by a significant amount, with Andrew being more than twice the combined difference. While each pilot has their own technique, it would seem that we had a pretty even group of talented pilots there.
A 7GCBC needs longer than stock gear to perform really well, seen that in action; but with taller gear, or the 8 version is a very capable machine, and if you learn how to fly it, and stay current you will be able to go most places the average cub guy goes. Remember, Emalie takes her RV-4 with tail wheel mains to most of the places we cubs went at the WAD!
The separation comes when you decide to do other than normal. Where a cub going into most 500' strips is a no sweat idea, a Citabria you need to pay attention and be more on your game. IF you want to fly the normal 50 hours a year and head out to hunting camp where you have 500' with a dogleg, that citabria might be a little more of a challenge to handle.
To compare, one should compare equal skill, and equal equipped planes. A top pilot with a fully modified 7 will most likely make a weekender with a stock cub feel silly. But top pilots in equally modified planes the cub will land and take off shorter every time, and the Citabria guy should have been there ahead enough to get the tent set up!
None of the options are a bad way to go. Non-current and non-proficient in the plane will be the biggest loss of performance. After over 1,000 hours in the same cub, most of it commercially, I moved to the Maule. Yes, it will land in 300', and take off light in 250' (and I have done it). Does that mean I work my 400' cub strip or my 650' one way cabin strip?
NOPE. No margin