BY SCOTT HADDOW
Sudbury runner Madeleine Woods owns the
600-metres.
Woods recently won the gold medal at the
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championships, qualifying
her for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Championships,
which take place in Saskatchewan this week.
All season long, the University of Windsor
athlete has dominated the 600-m scene, capturing first place
finishes at major competitions such as the Can-Am Classic, the
University of Findlay Invitational, the Windsor Team Challenge
and of course, the OUA Championships last week.
"It felt really good to win the OUA 600-m,"
said Woods. "I was confident going into it, but my time was the
biggest surprise. I did it in 1:32. I thought I would do it in
1:33, so to be a full second faster is thrilling. Winning OUA
gold is another goal I can check off. Now I would like to take
it to the next level and get something done at
nationals."
Woods is looking forward to another golden
finish at the nationals, which run from March 9 to 11, although
it won't be easy.
"First, I want to get into the 600-m final,
which will be challenging enough because of the huge amount of
talent running," said the Lo-Ellen Park
graduate. "From there, I want to just go for
it. I want to turn my brain off, run and come out on the podium
with a medal."
Positive thinking and an injury-free season
are two major factors as to why Woods is having such a
compelling season.
"This is the first season I am injury free,"
said the 20-year-old. "It has been huge for training and has
meant all the difference in the world. I also had a different
way of thinking about running, focusing on what I can control
and staying positive and that has meant a lot as well."
"Madeleine had a great season," said head
coach Dennis Fairall. "She was undefeated in her specialty -
the 600-m. Her consistency in competition has been exceptional
and her dedication has been terrific. She has great leadership
and her consistency has really helped the team. She's an
important and
reliable relay runner in both the 4 X 400-m
and the 4 X 800-m relays."
Woods believes in herself, which is trouble
for the rest of the running world.
"This season, I've learned I'm capable of
doing what I believe I am capable of doing," said Woods. "When
I put my mind to something and have confidence in myself, I
think I can do a lot. I never realized it before, but now I
do."
