Profiles of Color

2021 Olympic track star Gianna Woodruff gives us the inside track on competing in the Women's 400m Hurdles at the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games

July 23, 2021 Vince Mickens Season 1 Episode 8
Profiles of Color
2021 Olympic track star Gianna Woodruff gives us the inside track on competing in the Women's 400m Hurdles at the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games
Show Notes
  • Born in Santa Monica, California
  • Age: 27
  • Languages: English & Spanish

  • Education:
    • University of Southern California
      Master of Social Work - MSW
      2012-2023
    • University of Washington
      Sociology
      2011-2015
  • Started running at 7
  • Normally travels 3 times a year to Panama (pre-pandemic)
  • Parents are Donna Washington (born in Colon, Panama) and John Woodruff (born in NY).
  • She is the 2nd of 5 siblings. Her sister Yasmin also runs, she competes in the 100 and 200 meters and is a UCLA Alumni (c/o of 2013)
  • Mother Donna played college soccer
  • She was one of the top long hurdlers in the state of California, placing fourth in the 300-meter hurdles at the 2011 CIF finals 
  • She set her PR in the CIF prelims, clocking 42.24 for the fastest prelim time ... that mark ranked her 18th nationally in 2011 and 10th among all graduating seniors
  • She stepped up to the 400-meter hurdles at the 2011 USA Junior Championships, as she placed 10th overall in 1:03.10 
  • She was second in the CIF Southern Section finals in the 300-meter hurdles, clocking 42.37 
  • Won the Santa Fe/Santa Cruz League title in the long hurdles as a senior 
  • Her junior year, placed sixth at state in the 300m hurdles in 42.91 seconds and also won the CIF-SS finals
  • Ran the third leg on St. Mary's 4x100-meter relay that placed fourth at the state finals in 46.87 
  • Also lettered in cross country in 2009 and 2010 
  • Graduated with a 3.8 GPA.