Woods Goes From Prominence to Prom : Runner Qualifies for State Track Meet in 2 Events, Then Rushes to Dance for Seniors

It was easily the most important track meet of Phetima Woods’ prep career.

Entered in the 100-meter low hurdles and the 100-meter dash at the CIF Masters Meet at Cerritos College last week, Woods had an opportunity to reach the state meet in an individual event for the first time.

But the 17-year-old Duarte High senior admits she was a little distracted during the meet.

That’s because Woods had another important event to attend that evening--her senior prom at a hotel in Santa Monica.

Fortunately for Woods, the evening went without a hitch.

First she competed in the 100 low hurdles and had the second-fastest qualifying time of 14.43 seconds. She followed that by taking the fifth and final qualifying spot in the 100 meters at 12.27 seconds.

Then, moments after the 100 meters had been completed, Woods caught her breath and was whisked away to the prom by her boyfriend.

All things considered, Woods enjoyed her day, although she did want a better finish in the 100 meters.

“I knew I could make it in both (events) but I don’t know what happened to me in the 100 (meters),” she said. “I guess I was thinking too much about the prom.”

But Woods will not have any distractions at the state meet Friday and Saturday at Cerritos College.

Since she started competing for Duarte as a freshman, Woods has been working toward reaching the state meet as an individual.

As a sophomore, Woods competed in the state meet as a member of Duarte’s 1,600-meter relay team.

She barely missed accomplishing the feat as a junior, having to settle for sixth place in the 100 meters at the Masters Meet.

That only served to strengthen her resolve to reach the state meet this season.

“I went in as a senior motivated to do better because it was my last year and I just wanted to make it to the state meet,” Woods said. “That’s all I was thinking about. It feels good to finally make it.”

Coach Mike Ramos said in recent seasons Woods has been hurt by the fact that Duarte has a small student body of about 1,100 and does not have a large track team.

“Because our school is so small, we have to put our kids in a lot of events and that always takes away from their specialties and what they are able to focus on,” Ramos said.

With that in mind, Ramos said that makes Woods’ accomplishments this season even more impressive.

“I think for what she’s done for the Duarte track program, she deserves to be in the state meet,” he said.

In fact, Ramos says Woods ranks with the best athletes ever to compete at the school.

“In terms of what she’s done for Duarte High, she’s probably the finest female athlete in Duarte history,” he said. “She’s never made it to the state meet as an individual and now she’s going in two events. You always like for big things to happen to those kind of kids and she’s going to go down as the greatest female athlete ever at this school.”

Woods says her favorite event is the 100 meters although her best chance at winning at the state meet may be in the 100 hurdles.

But Ramos thinks Woods can excel in both events.

“It’s hard to say which one is her best event,” he said. “Certainly she has the turnover to be a good hurdler. If we had more time to work with her she could do a lot in that event. Nonetheless we’re very proud of what she’s accomplished here. She’s got potential in both events and she’s capable of doing well in either one.”

The coach said she has the ability to compete as a sprinter and hurdler at the NCAA Division I level. The only thing standing in the way is her grades.

Woods concedes that studying wasn’t a top priority when she first enrolled at Duarte.

“My freshman and sophomore year I was really bad about school,” she said. “I didn’t go to classes and I was just hanging out with my friends a lot. Looking back I regret that a lot but I think I’ve learned my lesson.”

Unfortunately, she may have learned her lesson a little too late to earn a scholarship to a Division I college for next season and may have to attend a community college.

“She’s definitely going to college but which one is still undecided,” Ramos said. “I think what we have to do is find an environment that fits best for her. It has to be one that is good for her financial and social stability, and one that is also good for her academically and where she can grow as an athlete.”

Ramos said after coaching Woods for four seasons, he has taken a personal interest in her future.

“I always want the best for her because she’s like a daughter to me,” he said. “I want her to make a success for herself and not just as an athlete.”