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

Profiles of Color

• 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.