Falling Into Greatness

Vacaville hurdler Jurnee Woodward tells the story of her climb to state glory

  By JURNEE WOODWARD, Vacaville Track & Field ‘17

  Ever since I was in middle school, I wanted to win a state meet title in the 300-meter hurdles. As I watched the best athletes in California line up against each other, I told myself, ‘One day, I’m going to be down there with them.’ And so began my quest to become the CIF State 300m hurdle champion.

  That is where the 2016 state meet really started for me. It started with watching my high school teammates compete at a high level, and seeing my hurdle idols on a television screen. It started when I decided I was not going to be just great. I was going to be one of the greats. There I stood, a little girl with glasses, a hearing aid and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — with a vision of stepping on the track and becoming a superhero.

  That vision led me to the CIF state meet two years in a row, and both times I lost the opportunity to claim the championship title. But I was a junior now, and I was tired of losing. “This year is my year,” I said.

  The stadium was loud. That was the first thing I thought as I took the back entrance into the warm-up area. The cacophony of sounds I met heading into the stadium at Buchanan High made it hard to focus. Combine that with my ADHD and hearing aid and I was totally distracted!

  Nonetheless, I warmed-up for the 100m hurdle prelims, headed down to the check-in, stripped down to my uniform, watched Heats 1 and 2 finish, and then prayed The Flash’s “speed-force” was with me. And, sure enough, it was. Because in 13.62 seconds, I solidified myself a lane in the finals.

  Back to the warm-up area I went to cool down and refocus on my next event, the 300m hurdles. I followed my same warm-up routine and felt ready to go. As I stood behind my blocks I felt more ready than ever.

  So imagine my surprise when I hit the second hurdle — and fell.

  I actually did not realize that I was falling until I saw the black sky and treetops. Then, I was back on my feet and running for my life. All I could think was: “I can’t lose. Not again.”

  I finished in third and stepped off the track to take deep breaths as I waited for the next two heats to finish. I silently prayed my time was fast enough to qualify for the finals; then I heard the announcer say I had advanced. I heard a roar of cheers in my head, and that’s when I realized it wasn’t me. It was the support of the stadium cheering and clapping for me.

  The next evening, as I lined up against some of the fastest hurdlers in California for the 100m hurdle final, I felt so alive. Not my strongest event, but when I placed third to Tara Davis and Kaylah Robinson, I was exhilarated!

  It was my turn to realize my vision in the 300 hurdles. From Lane 2, I ran as fast as I could until I crossed the finish. The lights, the crowd, my fall — my win. It all culminated in that moment. I pointed to my temples to thank God and acknowledge the little girl inside me who was screaming, “I told you we could do it!”